Courtesy: The Triad Theater

– The Story Line
“Yelm, Are You Incorruptible?”

“A crumbling monastery, 13th century France. The monks are desperate. The Abbey is bankrupt & falling apart. It seems “A penny a prayer” is just not a sustainable business model…(Who knew?). Can a one-eye’d minstrel, and an handful of well intending (albeit morally corruptible) monks bring the Abbey back from the brink? Or is this just the beginning of the end… of times. Smart, fast paced and hilarious, this play by Michael Hollinger puts the ‘Dark’ in the ‘Dark Ages.’”


– OPEN TO THE PUBLIC performances remaining
Standing Room Only (SRO) theater company’s presentation of “Incorruptible” remaining performances:
* 7:30 p.m. performances Friday, October 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24,
* 3 p.m. matinee Sundays, Oct. 18 and 25.

The Triad Theater in Yelm
102 SE Yelm Ave
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-3140
Read more

Tickets: $15 in advance and $20 at the door, with military and student prices of $10.
Group rates are available.
Click here to purchase tickets.


– The Production
* Directed by Nancy Hillman
* Produced by Dawn Young and Dave Champagne, Stage Managed by Anne Schuchmann
* Starring: Dave Champagne as the Jack, the one eyed Minstrel, Richard Frias as Charles the Abbot, Jesse Geray as Martin, Marcela Martinez as Marie, Kellie Petersen as The Peasant Woman, Guy Simpson III as Felix, Kurt Loertscher as Olf, and Anne Schuchmann as Agatha the Abbess.


– A Review
From the moment I walked into The Triad last night, I noticed something was different, yet couldn’t quite put my finger on it!
* Was it The Triad Theater’s rest room area had been completed and had an ambiance of a theater in London, Chicago, or New York.
* Was it that I purchased my ticket at the door and the ticket stub was an official BrownPaperTicket.com memento, like you’d receive in London, Chicago, or New York.
* Was it that upon receiving the theater program from noted thespian Daniel Wyman, the glossy quality and performers write-ups were reminiscent of a Playbill program, like you’d receive in London, Chicago, or New York.
* Was it that I sat in my seat and noticed the stage sets had a different quality, perhaps from Paul Keeslar’s set design, which displayed a crispness and professionalism, like you’d see in London, Chicago, or New York.
* Was it all of these and more?

While this show had only 8 performers, they were familiar talents to local theater-goers:
* Jesse Geray as Brother Martin was THE STANDOUT for me, as I had not seen him on SRO’s stage previously. In a commanding role, he was superb among the all-encompassing talents of the rest of the cast. That I lost a vision of Geray the actor and was focused on the Brother Martin character is what I look for in a skilled cast. Geray’s stage performance was “huge.”

* Yelm audience favorite Richard Frias as Charles (The Abbott), with this production noted as his 27th in Yelm and 81st in Puget Sound. Frias was excellently cast in this role.

* Kellie Petersen as the Peasant Woman sparkled as she got exactly correct the nuances of this character, as she has become a fine performer.

* Kurt Loertscher as Brother Olf rocked SRO’s stage in The Producers and The Pajama Game, and even exceeded those performances with ease in this very challenging role.

* Guy Simpson III as Brother Felix shined with his versatility and personality, bringing a depth in every scene in which he appeared. If desired, he has a fine theater career ahead of him.

* Dave Champagne as Jack the Minstrel was as elegant as ever. He exhibits a commanding stage-presence, yet is mature enough in his performances to not outshine others, which is demonstrative of his true talent!

* Marcela Martinez as Marie was amazing alongside Champagne, who carried-off a multi-faceted role with aplomb (assurance), even being carted around by Champagne in a sack. Amazing!

* Anne Schuchmann as Agatha, The Abess was the most talked-about performer after the show. While a small role towards the end, she “nailed-it” with her outstanding portrayal as the believable Sister, just as Frias’s character described. WOW, she totally engulfed the theater in this role, as required! I wish I would have seen her in her previous performances.

* Many others were notable in their contribution to this production, however, I’d like to acknowledge Sarah Moody as the Technical Director, who was superb.

The single intermission was sufficient to provide theater-goers an opportunity to mingle in the adjacent Triad Art Gallery and see some of the works of local artist and a new grandfather last week, Paul Keeslar, joined by his wife and grand-mamma, Robyn.


– My hat’s off to Standing Room Only Theater Company’s Nancy Tribush Hillman!
Hillman has been THE single, passionate & persistent force around Yelm for over 20 years in providing quality Community Theater here. Her cast and crew have said it the best over the years in what they gleaned from being on or around her stage, which aided them in their lives to move beyond their greatest fear – speaking in front of an audience.
WOW! What an achievement and gift for so many!
I commend Hillman’s vision for disseminating Production roles to Dave Champagne and Dawn Young, allowing Hillman to focus her talents exclusively on Directing. This unique partnership allows for Community Theater to be assured to continue well into the future, guided under Hillman’s fine tutelage, yet brings diversity to production and marketing assets to grow and enhance the theater experience in Yelm, which will be a wonderful draw of visitors for the Yelm Chamber of Commerce to support, as an example. I hope new Chamber Executive Director Victoria Wortberg takes note!

Young interacted with theater-goers before and after the show and during the intermission, She introduced me to her visiting in-laws from Sydney, Australia, who commented on the quality of Yelm’s local theater. Champagne thanked all of the almost-filled theater audience at the end and asked that we share our wonderful experiences with the community, as several shows remain.

Triad Theater owner Jayne Cameron was beaming at the robust and responsive crowd for this show and told the Yelm Community Blog afterwards that grand things are happening in Yelm and her dream for The Triad’s mission is coming into fruition. She shared for Blog readers to, “Come see for yourself!”
BRAVO Jayne!


– OPEN TO THE PUBLIC performances remaining
Standing Room Only theater company’s presentation of “Incorruptible” remaining performances:
* 7:30 p.m. performances Friday, October 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24,
* 3 p.m. matinee Sundays, Oct. 18 and 25.

The Triad Theater in Yelm
102 SE Yelm Ave
Yelm, WA 98597
(360) 458-3140
Read more

Tickets: $15 in advance and $20 at the door, with military and student prices of $10. Group rates are available.
Click here to purchase tickets.