By Parker Anderson
Jody Drake originally organized a theater troupe by the name of "Cold Turkey" and performed western plays and skits at the Riata Pass Steakhouse in Dewey. The name of the theater was changed when she picked up a rose-shaped pine cone that had dropped into a bucket of blue paint. Blue Rose Theater, under her direction, formed a partnership with the Sharlot Hall Museum in 1994. Jody has authored 26 of the original scripts performed by the theater. The Blue Rose Theater has produced 6 royalty productions and 33 guest and music presentations, including an historical recreation of the first production to be held at the new Elks Opera House over one hundred years ago. There have been performances for two governors, many state conferences and the Honorable Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner (retired).
On May 6, just three days from now, Sharlot Hall Museum’s Blue Rose Theater will mark its 15th birthday. 15 years of educating audiences about Arizona through dramatizations on the stage. 15 years of bringing our fascinating historical figures to life.
It all started inauspiciously enough. In 1994, I was involved with local theater for several years but had suffered some disappointments with it and I was prepared to leave it altogether. Then, on May 6, my dear friend Jody Drake telephoned to tell me to watch the classified ads in that evening’s edition of the Courier. She was very mysterious and would not tell me any more than that. When I read the paper, the only unusual thing I noticed in the ads was one that read: "Announcing The Blue Rose".
The next morning, Jody and I went to breakfast together and she told me she was trying to form a small theater called Blue Rose, which would present entertainment with an historical bent. She asked me if I would join them. At that time, I wanted to leave theater but Jody was my friend, so I agreed to go along for the ride. It wouldn’t last long, I figured!
Veteran local actress Katherine Gosney also joined the Blue Rose at that time.
Our first bookings were not particularly extraordinary, but then a major turn of events took place. Sharlot Hall Museum, in late1994, was looking for someone to produce a series of summertime performances in their outdoor amphitheater, and had approached local actress Janet Maissen. Janet, in turn approached Jody who was interested in the opportunity. Our first summer’s offerings in 1995 consisted of three Prescott history plays: "Soul of Yesterday" written and directed by Karla Burkitt, "Stories That Should Be Told" which was an evening of readings of Miss Sharlot’s poems arranged by Janet Maissen, and a light-hearted piece that I wrote called "Voices from the Past". Attendance at these shows was sufficient to persuade the museum to keep us on the following year and, in truth, Blue Rose Theater has been a part of Sharlot Hall Museum ever since.
Blue Rose Theater’s performers have brought many characters from Arizona history to life in plays showcasing Buckey O’Neill, John and Jessie Fremont, Charles Genung, Pearl Hart, the outlaw Jim Parker, Ralph Cameron and, of course, Sharlot Hall, played for years by Jody Drake in an uncanny impersonation.
As I look back on 15 years of Blue Rose performances, I am really quite amazed. We have done so much over the years and are looking forward to much more. I am proud to have been a part of it.
So, Happy Birthday, Blue Rose. May you have many more!
Please visit www.sharlothallmuseum.org/bluerose to learn about our upcoming events including our summer series of plays and our newest innovation on Wednesday evenings entitled "Wicked Wednesdays".
(Parker Anderson is a member of Sharlot Hall Museum’s Blue Rose Theater)
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Your stories and experiences are important. The public is welcome to submit articles for Days Past consideration. Please contact Scott Anderson at Sharlot Hall Museum Archives at 445-3122 for information.
Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(SHM Blue Rose album) Reuse only by permission.
Scene from "Soul of Yesterday" performed in the amphitheater at Sharlot Hall Museum in the first season, 1995, with Jody Drake as Miss Sharlot Hall and Lane Burkitt as a cowhand.