Spotlight: Welch, Travolta make pleas to save CdA Summer Theatre

Before Thursday night’s opening performance of “9 to 5” at Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, artistic director Roger Welch brought a friend up on stage to join him in a plea.

With actress Ellen Travolta by his side, Welch told the audience that because of situations they failed to anticipate, the nonprofit theater company needs $150,000 to continue operationsget through this year.

Welch said, “We’re going to work to keep this theater going.”

She then said that if each of the 3,000 season subscribers gave $50, that would bring the company to its goal.

“I encourage you to give what you can,” she said. “Let’s not lose the wonderful theater.”

Welch said there are several ways to give. Call the box office – (208) 769-7780 – or visit www.cdasummertheatre.com. Or, Welch quipped, “You can have me come to you home and do a courier service.”

Meanwhile, tickets are still available for Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s third annual Sunset Cruise, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Boarding begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. Tickets are $25 plus tax. Call the box office for more information.

Opera on the edge

Opera Coeur d’Alene is hosting an evening of food and song on Aug. 25.

Opera on the Point, held above Armstrong Park overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene, will feature a number of internationally acclaimed singers. The event will benefit local opera productions as well as outreach efforts in area schools.

Among the performers are Raúl Melo, who has sung everywhere from the Metropolitan Opera to “A Prairie Home Companion”; Audrey Babcock, who recently played Carmen in Paris; bass/baritone Mark Walters; local favorite Dawn Wolski; and guest conductor Andrew Bisantz.

All of these performers will be in the upcoming Opera Coeur d’Alene production of “Rigoletto.”

The dinner will include wine as well as an auction. Among the items up for bid is a walk-on role in “Rigoletto.”

Tickets are $110. Call (800) 418-1485 or visit operacda.com to buy tickets.

“Rigoletto,” by the way, will be staged Sept. 13 and 15 at the Schuler Performing Arts Center on the North Idaho College campus.

Visual Arts Tour ahead

Applications to be part of the Fall Visual Arts Tour will be accepted through 5 p.m. Aug. 30.

Local galleries, businesses and alternative spaces are invited to participate. Applications are available online at www.spokanearts.org or www.downtownspokane.net.