WCT presnts "Rio Hondo" at Willits High School, June 22 to July 7

The rollicking cowboy comedy, “Rio Hondo”, plays at Willits High School from June 22 to July 7.

Directed by Lee Stipe, this Bill Robbens spoof of old western movies offers lots of gun-slinging, hilarious antics, and the necessary noble heroics. The basic idea: the railroad is coming to town and a local villain, Diego Sanchez, has become sheriff and expects everybody to bow to its iron needs. One woman, ranch-owner Clementine, refuses to obey and stands her ground. Enter Bert McGraw, retired lonely gun-slinger with one more good shootout in him to help bring justice.

This Willits Community Theatre production of the Bill Robens cowboy satire is directed by Lee Stipe and features a cast of 25 actors, live music and plenty of sure-fire hilarious action. The show is scheduled in conjunction with Willits Frontier Days and the July 4th celebrations. As a spoof of old western movies, this grand production offers lots of gunslinging, brawls and other antics and all the necessary noble heroics.

Central to the action is widowed rancher Clementine McGraw who stands her ground bravely against an encroaching railroad and the villainy of a corrupt local sheriff, Diego Sanchez. Enter Bert McGraw, the retired gunslinger and loner with one more good shootout left in him to bring justice. Adding color to this old west tableau are Iris Prewett, the most-feared ever blind female gunslinger, Eudora Cummings the veteran famous psychotic gunslinger and Rosarita Rivera, saloon-keeper and madam, along with a bevy of other colorful characters from the American wild west.

Starring in the WCT production are Mary Burns as the courageous Clementine, Rod Grainger as her hero brother-in-law, Devin St. Patrick as the ruthless lawman, Kelly Kesey as the sightless Iris, Blare Elliot as the unhinged femme fatale, and Veronica Leon as the boss madam. Rounding out the production are a supporting cast of plucky clichéd characters each with a funny twist, plus live guitar music by Joetuckey William, live sound effects by foley Mitchell Tomlinson, video montages and all the tension necessary to leave the final outcome in question.

Directed by Lee Stipe, a veteran actor of numerous WCT productions since 2004, this play is the brainchild of Bill Robens whose noir crime spoof “Killy Me, Deadly” was a 2015 WCT hit. Stipe has spearheaded the production of “Rio Hondo” as part of his love affair with old spaghetti westerns and his first solo shot at directing, along with the personal counsel of Robens whose writing brings a fresh, brilliant flavor to the old clichés.

“Rio Hondo” runs at the Allen Garcia Auditorium Willits High School from June 22 to July 7, with shows on Thursday at 7pm for $15, Friday and Saturday at 8pm for $20, and Sunday matinees at 2pm for $15. For students with ID, $10 discount tickets will be available at the door. There is a special first Sunday matinee on June 24 at 2pm and no final Sunday matinee on July 8 in the closing week.

A special benefit performance sponsored by Rotary Club of Willits will be held on the first Thursday June 28 at 7pm. Tickets for the fund-raiser are $20 and available by calling Jolene Carrillo at 707-841-7758. Advance tickets for all other shows are available in person at Mazahar, 38 S. Main St., Willits; online at brownpapertickets.com; or by phone 24/7 at 1-800-838-3006. Tickets will also available at the door until sold out. Willits High School is located at 299 N. Main St., Willits.

“Rio Hondo” sports a cast of 25 actors and is funny and yet filled with tension until the final outcome. Starring are Rod Grainger, Mary Burns, Kelly Kesey, Blare Elliot, Veronica Leon, and Devin Skaggs.