Load Of Talent Staging Show

At age 18, Fred Scheibe graduated from Lewiston High School and went to New York City.

Scheibe studied at the prestigious American Theatre Wing. He studied modern dance with the Jose Limon Company and Martha Graham Dance Company, and ballet at Ballet Arts, a school started by Agnes B. De Mille. He danced on Broadway in “Pajama Game” and “Bells are Ringing” and at New York City Center in revivals of “Oklahoma” and “Carousel.”

But Scheibe was out there on his own. Now, there is a little village of Idaho people working in New York, he said, “but in 1952, I couldn’t find anyone.”

“I was called the Idaho potato for 12 years,” he said.

When Lewiston Civic Theatre asked Scheibe to direct a show, in 1964, he decided to try it. He came home and brought his New York training with him. The show was a success. Residents of Lewiston realized how much they wanted regular live theater in their town. “The city gave me a job,” he said. He accepted.

“I always knew at some point when the legs started going that I’d move back to Idaho,” said Scheibe. “I knew I didn’t want to die in New York City.”

Until he retired last September, Scheibe staged three highly successful shows a year as artistic director of the Lewiston Civic Theatre. Now he brings his considerable talents to Sandpoint where he is directing “Into the Woods,” a Stephen Sondheim musical popular on Broadway in the late 1980s.

“The show is one of my favorites,” he said.

It also is a favorite of local singers who recommended it to Bonnie Miller. Miller read the script and was hooked. She established Not So Typical Productions with Judy Riffe as co-producer and they went to work.

Miller handpicked the singers from those she has worked with before and who knew the level of commitment that she required. “I didn’t want to spring for the royalties without a savvy cast,” she said.

Of 18 cast members, 11 have college degrees in music, drama and/or dance. Shauna Lyman plays the Witch, a role she perfected under Sheibe’s direction 10 years ago in the Lewiston production of “Into the Woods.” DiAnn Rosander is the accompanist. Local artist Michael Pinchera executed the sets. Rita Didisse, who moved here after working for the Santa Fe Ballet, sewed most of the costumes.

The cast started rehearsing in March and for the past month has been rehearsing every night of the week.

“Had it not been for Bonner Mall allowing us absolutely free of charge to use their big space, we would not have been able to put on this show,” said Miller emphatically. “They were remarkably accommodating.”

“It’s the best show to hit the Panida in years,” said Dan Garcia who, along with David Gunter, plays a prince. “I’m not exaggerating. It’s so funny and there’s a moral to the story and it all happens at the end.”

Miller’s goals do not end with the production of “Into the Woods.” Miller, who didn’t start her theatrical life until the age of 47, wants to provide scholarships to send talented young people, ages 11 to 16, to theater and creative arts camps in the summer.

In this way, Miller hopes to lay the foundation for local students to gain experience in all aspects of theater. And hopefully to continue the model set by Fred Scheibe and bring their training and expertise back to theater lovers in Idaho.

This sidebar appeared with the story: `INTO THE WOODS’

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Book by James Lapine

Panida Theatre - Sandpoint

June 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24 - 7:30 p.m.

18, 24, 15 - 2 p.m. matinee

Ticket outlets: Lyman Gallery, Monarch Mountain Coffee Java Adagio, Fantastic Sam’s, Eve’s Leaves.

Tickets: $12