Yep, there she be. The old Valley Center Playhouse. For those of you that have never been to this blessed display of the worst community theater imaginable you are missing out! This is like a part of my childhood! Not only did I grow up taking acting lessons from this place (I really think that deserves its own BLOG entry...don't worry I still am perfecting the mime after all these years) but I also spent many a family nights, birthdays and holidays at this place. Who would want to miss The Best Christmas Pageant Ever or Hotel Frankenstein (I think we all remember when Wade Preston was in that one) around the holidays? Not this one.As some background to this place, it is owned by The Renstrom's that lived in my families neighborhood. Keith Renstrom is a WWII vet who dresses up in his army gear on The 4th of July and shoots a cannon up and down the streets. He is quite patriotic. Jodi Renstrom is his wife whos heart and soul belongs in the theater...hence the beginnings of The Valley Center Playhouse. I remember them driving a red truck with a camper on back every Monday, Friday and Saturday's up to the VCPH...you always knew it was showtime.
So at my sister's wedding in March, there was a group of us that still live in Utah from the original neighborhood and we started talking about our favorite VCPH memories and we decided that we were going to go sometime...and that sometime came on Monday night. Just to let you know, I don't know if I have ever laughed that hard in my life. I was reduced to tears 3 times during the performance. Here's some highlights from the night:
-The smell, still smells like a mix of cat pee and body odor....
-The Senior Citizen bus doing a drop off in front of VCPH
-The costumes, they still don't match or fit
-The horrible acting
-The worst lights and sound (Heather did get The Best Lights and Sounds when she volunteered there....)
-The seats that I am sure have flees, I was careful to wash up when I got home
-The little girl in the show that looks way too much like one of my little cousins who will remain nameless. I love the butt tight overalls equipped with TPL (tight panty line) and stains on the butt
-Melanie taking these pictures of "Aunt Flo" (who I swear had been doing some drinking prior to the show) in the middle of the performance. I tried talking to her afterwards and she clearly keeps all of her personality for the stage.
-Aunt Flo's "wig" in the show that was apparently her own hair
-Getting stink eye from the older ladies as we were leaving. Apparently they didn't appreciate us laughing at the parts that were not funny to anyone else.
-Seeing a fellow 2001 T-wolf in the play. Why is he 25 and still doing this weird community theater? I have no idea
-The dad in the show who was the WORST actor...and had a pedophile hair cut.
-The play itself, Rockrollers and Pancakes. I mean the acting was bad, but in their defense they didn't have much to work with here.
Yeah, they have not remoddled this place in the 20 years I have been going. Chrissy (daughter of VCPH alumni parents), Melanie (sister and daughter of VCPH alumni), Heather (Best Lights and Sound) Kristine (Actor, Cruise of Love 2003)
I think I realized I was much taller than everyone else so I came up with this pose. I don't have to go to the bathroom, I am just surrounded by short folks.If you have never been to the VCPH, you must go. Since the Renstroms were not there the night of the show we did have to pay, but seriously, it was the best $6 I have ever spent in my entire life. It is some good, quality, hilarious family fun. I am really considering buying a season pass...since I will be going to Hotel Frankenstein with my dad when he comes and Nat...can we mark you down to come to Best Christmas Pageant ever? So don't just sit there, get to Valley Center Playhouse, you'll be glad you did...
16 comments:
I am so jealous. Lucky!! I really think I would have peed my pants if I had been there though. The Cruise of Love in 2003 was more than I could take.
My stomache was hurting so much last night as you told the story live. I can not even imagine what would have happened if I had been there...oh yes I can...I don't think I would have peed my pants, I know I would have...good thing Nat will not have me along in Dec. other wise we could make it a double...I mean pee! Thanks for the memories!
Katie seriously, I am laughing so hard right now I don't think I can contain myself!! The write up was almost as good as being there live. One of the best nights of my life hands down. Can't wait till Hotel Frankenstein. I also loved the shout out to Wade Preston. You kill me!
I am laughing out loud, you are so funny! And really you described everything perfectly. I felt privileged to go with you, I have never laughed that hard for a long time, thanks for the Big Hunk too. Ha Ha!!!!! Can't wait for Hotel Frankenstein!!
Are you just trying to make me jealous on purpose?! I thought so, otherwise WHY would you keep doing posts about all of the white-trash things I love?
Screw the Sydney Opera House, I'm going back to my roots!
yes, pee a little I did. I too am a Valley Center Playhouse Acting Class Alumnus. Oh the good ole' days, where have they gone?
Isn't it crazy that they're still open?! Christiane had me go with her a few times, it was a surreal experiance. One time John & I were pushing Ross around the neighborhood in his stroller and upon passing the Renstrom's sweet Sis. Renstrom runs up to us and begs John to be Lil' Abner in an upcoming production! We were shocked. She kept saying that John had the perfect "stocky build" for the part, she never asked if he could act or sing which might be kind of important for the lead in a musical! After declining the invitation for like 10 minutes (she kept trying to persuade him) we walked on. All John could say was "Do I have a stocky build?", "Annie, am I fat?", and on and on. To this day if the Renstrom's or their theater comes up John will ask if he's stocky or fat! On to Bro. Renstrom. One year, during July Bro. Sorenson had injured his shoulder in some way that required surgery, which required some heavy pain medication and on the morning of the 24th he was all cozy napping on the Lazy Boy in their family room in the basement, their dog Brutis was asleep just outside the basement window, Bro. Renstrom shoots off his cannon which startles the dog to the point that he falls through the basement window (as in breaking the glass) and pees all over the floor. Both the cannon and the dog breaking the window at virtually the same time send a heavily drugged and agitated Bro. Sorenson walking to the Rentroms in his pajamas at whatever awful early hour he does that thing to yell at him that he's calling the police and all kinds of other things that made not much sense because of his drugged state. I love that story, and I think of it every Pioneer Day because from my house I can still hear Bro. Renstrom's cannon and every year when it wakes me up on one of my few days to sleep in I curse a little bit! Sorry for the legnth, maybe I should have done my own blog on it!
I opted not to read your new post after the disclaimer. I'm sure it's great but I just have this problem where I associate all of Utah Valley w/ BYU, and that's a subject I try to avoid at all costs.
I totally went to the acting classes at VCPH back when I thought I would be an actress when I grew up. While that apparently "wasn't in the cards" for me, I can make a crowd believe I'm trapped in an invisible box. So... yeah. Totally worth it.
Katie, I too had a fabulous time at the VCP. When I was in the Christmas play I had to flirt with my own brother, Scott & the next year flirt with Kevin Tenney. Good times. Everyone in my family except for Robyn has been in plays there. In one my dad wore tights- there's an image one doesn't get out their head. Chrissy
Hilarious and perfect description of the place! I think my favorite play was "'Possum City, USA"...it was awful.
Why have I never heard of this place? And why didn't I know you took acting classes?
I'm glad you found our blog! I totally remember meeting you. Joe said you're one of the funniest girls he knows! He told me to tell you hi and he's glad you found us. Now we can keep updated!
I was in one play there, I don't remember the name, but my favoritestistisits was watching my best friend Bekah in the Best Christmas Pageant Ever. LOL! Good times good times! I love Heather!
lol, okay loving this post! I too was a valley center playhouse fan and took an acting workshop myself. thanks for the flashback! lol
Hey! It's Michelle (Hemple) Jolley. I have heard, Heather, and Ashleigh rant and rave about your blog for quite some time now, and finally got up the guts to check it out and it is DEFINETLY Hilarious! Especially this post. SOOO SOOO funny! Love VCPH memories! Oh the days of acting lessons....:)
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