The “Bullshot Crummond” criminal memory hits the goal

Paradise – I was a big fan of the American crime film films “The Naked Gun” from the 1980s and 1990s.

I watched the films with my family and laughed at my butt, enjoyed unfortunate, fiddling detective Frank Drebin, played by actor Leslie Nielsen at any moment. He was funny, with great comic timing and also so personable.

When the local actor Gabe Suddeth, who plays Detective Bullshot Crummond, plays in the theater in the new show of the Ridge “Bullshot Crummond”, I told me that the show was like a British version of “The Naked Gun”, I was super excited.

“It is very similar to a British 'naked weapon from the 1930s,” said Suddeth. “There are two villains that are similar to Boris and Natasha in 'Rocky and Bullwinkle', but more German than Russian.”

The show is a parody for Klisches Detective B-Movies. The comedy provides wild thrills and spills that are traditionally reserved for the screen: aircraft turrets, car hunt, icy mountain cliffs, swords and a marine lake battle.

The story follows the kidnapping of an eccentric professor and his synthetic diamond formula by evil German masterminds. In order to track down her missing father, the professor's daughter commissioned the services of the Ace Detective and the cutting hero Hugh “Bullshot” Crummond, who, according to The Theater on the Ridge website, does not know that he is a weak, idiotic idiot.

“The comedy comes from bullshot,” said Suddeth. “He believes that he is the greatest detective and cannot do anything wrong, but most of the time is quite incapable. But things work for him through pure trust in himself, even if he fails.”

Anna Calvert, who is also a total actor, is the light designer for the show. I asked them if they prefer, act or illuminate it.

“It was consistently a bit of both,” said Calvert. “I have done more technically lately than this year than recently.”

Calvert was last seen in “Nunsense” at Totr and plans to play for Chico State production.

“It is difficult to give a preference,” they said. “I'm a big fan of appearances, but that does not reduce the love I have for technology.”

I worked in the spotlight on a few shows, but I didn't lead any lighting design myself, so it was super interesting to hear Calvert.

“My normal process is that I come to the rehearsals and see a complete run by the actors and who is the main players for every scene or for each side,” they said. “I went to Jeff and asked questions. I find out where the actors are in every scene. I look at a run and put the instruments physically and distribute everything as I want, and then go to the lighting cabin and program everything and find the lighting for every scene.”

Calvert said that director Jeff Dickenson made the show easier.

“Jeff is such an organized director,” said Calvert. “He sent me a keyword how he wants the lights to look.”

Calvert took on a lighting class on the Butte College, which helped them design lights for shows, but also learned from the fact of the lighting.

“Totr gave me the knowledge of the subtleties,” they said. “It was a bit academic and then a lot of learning to fly.”

During his long career in the theater, Dickenson staged over 40 shows and acted in more than 200 shows. He said he preferred the spectacle, but gets a lot of satisfaction from the direction.

“I find most of the joy on stage,” said Dickenson. “I started playing in the high school and never stopped. A few life adventures brought me away for a while, but for the most part I acted steadily.”

Dickenson staged shows at the Chico Theater Company and this is his first time that he heads a show in the theater on the Ridge. Dickenson performed in 1985 in his first show at Totr.

“This year is the fiftyest anniversary at Totr,” he said. “How cool to be part of it. This is a great mission this season to bring favorites back from every decade.”

“Bullshot Crummond” was carried out at Totr in the 1970s.

Dickenson said the small line -up was “wonderful”. In addition to Suddeth, the other actresses Kelsey Campbell, Brian Miner, Lil Vasquez and Nan Miner are. Joni Dunlap acts as a deputy director and is also a props.

“There are only five people and it is a close situation,” said Dickenson. “They were wonderful and my deputy director is wonderful and with the seven it was a great journey. This is a talented, hardworking group and the audience will love their work. I am excited!”

Totr recorded the show three times.

“People know this show, but there are new things, so hopefully there are surprises for everyone,” said Dickenson. “A big thank you to the people in the production staff and my line -up. It is always humble to be a director. There are so many moving parts. I look forward to the audience enjoying it.”

Suddeth recently appeared at Totr in “When Lightning” and also played at the Chico Theater Company and the Blue Room Theater. He began to perform in the high school.

Suddeth said he enjoyed working with Dickenson.

“He is very good and very passionate about the project,” said Suddeth. “He knows his vision for it, but will work with them if they have their own ideas.”

“Bullshot Crummond” opens on Thursday, May 29th and closes on Sunday, June 15th. The seasons are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday on Sunday at 2.30 p.m. with Matineses. The ticket prices are 16 US dollars in general, $ 18 for reserved tickets and 20 US dollars on the door. At the door on Thursdays and for Sunday matines 14 dollar bargain cards will be sold on the door. For tickets, the Theater on the Ridge is located in the 3735 Neal Road in Paradise. The telephone number of the theater is 530-877-5760. You can find more information under Viewing

Jennie Blevins writes an art and entertainment column every week. To suggest story ideas, ask questions or enter comments, send an e -mail to jblevins@chicoer.com.