Tribute: A drama with plenty of humor

“Tribute,” a story that centers on the relationship between a father (Scotty Templeton) and his estranged son, and how the pair rebuilds their relationship, opens a six- performance run Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Orcas Grange.

The play, a presentation of Actors Theatre of Orcas Island, “is a drama with a lot of humor,” said Director Doug Bechtel. It’s also the story of a man who was everybody’s friend, but had never taken life seriously until he contracts leukemia. Family and friends gather to pay tribute to Templeton, where they recall poignant incidents involving the man being honored.

The show features a cast of seven, and includes both veterans and newcomers to the Orcas stage. The veterans are Frank Michels, who plays the father; plus John Baker, Melinda Milligan and Patty Monaco. All have scored high marks in previous appearances in local plays.

Making their theater debuts on Orcas are Patrick Stafford, who plays the son, plus Isabel Athmann and Grange Master Leslie Seaman.

Michels has already had his locks shorn for the occasion, and will appear with a crew cut.

Helping Bechtel back stage are stage crew members Gwynith Burrill, Paula Capitano and Cele Westlake. Marilyn Erly is advising on costumes, with help from Martha Warachowski.

Tribute, which was written in 1976, was both a Broadway show and a movie. Jack Lemmon played the lead role on Broadway.

The play contains adult situations and adult language, Bechtel says, advising that it is not suitable for pre-teens.

Six shows, one of them a matinee

Tribute will be performed Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 27 - March 1, and March 7-9. All but the March 1 show will take place at 7:30 p.m. Admission for the evening performances is $8 for adults, and $5 for those under 21.

The March 1 matinee will start at 2 p.m., and with a “pay what you can” admission, Bechtel said, adding that nobody will be turned away because of an inability to pay.

All tickets will be sold at the door.

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