by Corey Ralston

The Kings Players in Hanford are gearing up for their 52nd season. This season promises a lot of fun performances and maybe even a few chills.

To open their four show season the Kings Players have chosen A Fine Monster You Are by Monk Ferris. The play, which is billed as a “creepy-crawly” comedy, follows a sweet old lady who is hiring a new secretary. She quietly explains that her ancient family mansion has only one window and that window is barred; that there is to be a séance that night; and that in back of the parlor drapes is a century old stone wall with a heavy oaken door littered with every known kind of lock plus a massive wooden crossbar all because there might be a misshapen creature of elemental horror sealed behind it!

“What happens beyond that? I cannot say,” director and star Wyleen Luoma said.

After the huge success of 50 Years of Broadway comes Tribute to the Movie Musical. Directing team Corey Ralston and Nicole Devol are anticipating a great show. They will once again assemble singing and dancing talent from around the Valley and showcase them in musical numbers from some of the greatest Movie Musicals and maybe even a TV show musical as well.

Songs will come from such movies as The Wizard of Oz, Gigi, Grease, Moulin Rouge, Newsies, and many Disney classics.

“Like last time this show will sell out quick. I urge you to get your tickets early,” Co-Director Devol said.
In the third slot comes the classic thriller Wait until Dark by Frederick Knott. Directed by Jennifer Toledo this show is perfect for the Fall.

Con-men have traced the location of a mysterious and priceless doll to an apartment in Greenwich Village. Inside lives a blind woman named Susy. In order to trap the evil doers she shuts off the electricity to her apartment to create a level playing field. What happens during are intense scenes that will take the breath right out of the audience?

“I love the challenge of this play and it is an incredible opportunity for the right actress,” director Toledo said.

In the last slot is the heart-warming dramatic comedy The Cemetery Club by Ivan Menchell.

Three Jewish widows meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husband’s graves. Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life, Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun, and Doris is priggish and judgmental, particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene. He meets the widows while visiting his wife’s grave. Doris and Lucille squash the budding romance between Sam and Ida. They are guilt stricken when this nearly breaks Ida’s heart.

Director Cyndie Maxwell is pleased to present a show that showcases the talent of many of our mature actresses. The show has proven to be a hot wherever it is played and is a re-visiting for the Kings Players.

A unique and fun-filled season awaits the patrons of Hanford and those theater lovers all over the Valley.

Season Tickets are currently on sale on the Kings Players website. There you can buy a seat for every show and two companion tickets to any show for an incredible price of $50. A huge savings compared to at the door pricing. Visit them at www.kingsplayers.net.

Corey Ralston is a freelance writer & photographer. He has worked for Fresno Life, The Selma Enterprise, Kingsburg Recorder, Talk Magazine, The Fresno Bee, Totts Magazine, Lifestyle Magazine and Valley Response Magazine. He resides in Hanford with his partner and his dog, where he sings, acts and directs local theatre. He also runs his own portrait photography business called Corey Ralston Photography.