Newcomers, veterans share VPA stage

There's a beauty contest starting in Wasilla tonight, and one contestant is hoping to turn a victory into her trip out of town.

The contest takes place on the stage at Machetanz Theatre, as Valley Performing Arts' second production of the season, "The Miss Firecracker Contest" opens tonight and runs through Nov. 14.

The plot revolves around Carnelle Scott, played by Aurora Pease, who is a factory worker from Yazoo City, Miss. Her life experiences are pretty shady, and she's hoping to get out of town with a victory in the beauty pageant.

Written by Beth Henly, "The Miss Firecracker Contest" is filled with laughs.

For Pease, stepping into a new role is nothing new. The University of Alaska Anchorage student is a longtime VPA veteran, even though she's only 20.

"The script actually calls for a 28-year-old, so Aurora is playing up a bit, but she's used to it," said managing producer John Fairfield.

Opposite Pease is VPA veteran Steve Cuthbert, who plays Cousin Delmount, Scott's cousin who has just been sprung from an asylum. Elain, played by VPA newcomer Rose Engeln, is Carnelle's cousin and a former contest winner. She agrees to help Carnelle, although she secretly doesn't want her cousin to win the beauty pageant.

Also appearing on stage are Jake Peterson, playing Mac Sam; Colleen Peterson, playing Popeye; and Angela Mills, who plays the pageant organizer.

Engeln is making her VPA debut, and Fairfield said he is encouraged by the number of new faces appearing on stage.

"It is part of our mission to include people in theater, not just in the audience but also on stage and as part of the crew," Fairfield said. "I view it as a failure if we don't include a newcomer each production. We've been successful at meeting that goal for the most part."

Lenna Strompolos is making her directorial debut for VPA. Fairfield said that while this is her first time directing, she has plenty of experience.

"About a year and a half ago, she walked into my office and said she had a background that included some singing, some dancing, some cabaret, an asked if she could help," Fairfield explained. "I told what I really needed at the time was a pianist, and I asked if she should could play the piano. She said yes, and played for Peter Pan."

Later last season, she took a role in The Crucible.

When VPA started searching for directors for this year's lineup of productions, she volunteered to lead the Miss Firecracker Contest.

"It's her first time directing, but she's doing a real good job," Fairfield said.

The Miss Firecracker Contest opens tonight at Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla.

It plays every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and every Sunday at 2 p.m., through Nov. 14.

Tickets are $16 and $14 each and are available through CARRS TIX outlets, Tickets.com or by calling the VPA box office at 373-0195.