Gold Dust or Bust! October 5, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Music & Dance.trackback
The Island Community Center Drama Camp performed “Gold Dust or Bust” at the Island Playhouse this summer.
This year’s production was a musical revue which transported the audience back to the heydey of the California Gold Rush of 1848.
The Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848 when James W. Marshall found gold at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma California.
After hearing of the find, 300,000 men, women, and children headed west hoping to strike it rich.
While visions of gold tiaras danced in their heads.
The play entertained with fun songs and humor, while sharing facts and figures about how California and the US changed as a result of the Gold Rush.
Mark Twain made an appearance, declaring that reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated.
As in prior years, the kids filled their costumes and the Island Playhouse with ample enthusiasm.
As they sang, danced, and swung shovels and pick axes.
All too soon, the campers took a final bow.
Bringing down the house.
Aah . . . that’s better!
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Fun times for the kids and the whole community coming together! Love it Nancy 💛
A charming production ~ watching the enthusiasm is priceless.
Hey, minor miners! They’re very cute. I’m not convinced that boat’s seaworthy, though.
Minor miners! Love it. Thanks, Bun.
And, yes, I’m not wanting to sail the intercoastal in that boat.
I love those kid productions. They’re always so much fun to watch.
What a story they had to tell. I love to watch kids performing on stage. They are so enthusiastic about what they’re doing. 🙂
Their enthusiasm is contagious! I love this annual event.
Yesterday we went to The Players Theatre in Sarasota to see 4 adults clowning around in “39 Steps” . . . a play where Alfred Hitchcock meets Monty Python. They, too, did a fabulous job.
What a combination! 🙂
So cute!!! Love the costumes and props!
The drama camp is only 2 weeks long . . . the directors do a great job in preparing the kids to present a play in short order.
Those kids things are always fun because there is an element of unpredictability as one may ad lib or forget their role. Just a question — the gold rush was in the 1800s, wasn’t it?
Yes! Dated fixed. Thanks for pointing it out. “We see what we expect to see.”
And the kids were great . . . although a few froze until a whisper came from the wings to get them back on track.
I’m sure you struck the wrong key by accident, but gold was originally discovered in California in 1848, not 1948. The Gold Rush took place in 1849.
Yes! Thanks, William. All fixed.
What fun! I love the photo of the ship…great expressions!
I loved the kids’ expressions . . . so I became a bit snap happy.
You can’t beat children’s enthusiasm!
Illuminated from within! 💡
These kids look like they’re having so much fun. What great memories for them! I’ve been able to see many of the most popular Broadway plays put on by community theaters and it never disappoints.
They had a blast! And shared lots of laughs with the audience.
This area is home to a number of community theatres ~ including the Historic Asolo Theatre moved to Sarasota from Italy in pieces by John Ringling.
Fun for everyone. I haven’t watched children perform in years. It’s always touching.
Kids R Great!
This sounds like a very fun play, and I’m pleased that children in Florida learn about the Gold Rush! That kind of surprised me, I guess. As much as the California Gold Rush is a part of my local history I can’t say that I’ve ever seen a musical about it. Great fun! 🙂 I do love it that you attend these local productions. It’s so important to support them!
We learned about the California Gold Rush in school as part of US History. This was the first Gold Rush musical I’ve seen, but some of these songs ring a familiar tune:
Seems like lots of fun! Lovely.
And lively!
Cute! Fun way to spend some time. Entertaining and educational…for us and the kids.
Watching them exude exuberance is a treat!
I am not quote sure but I missed a few really great posts of yours, Nancy! This was really well commented and described the children’s excellent rendition of the Gold Rush historical events. Cute! 🙂
They had so much fun sharing what they’d learned about the Gold Rush.