Comedy 'Naked Bigport' by local playwright opens Friday
The Bigfork Community Players will present the comedy, “Naked Bigport”, by local playwright David Vale, this Friday, Feb. 21.
Bigport is a quaint and quiet tourist destination in Northwestern Montana. Bustling with visitors during the summer, winter is peaceful as the locals enjoy the relative solitude of nature. But when it’s rumored that Homeland Security is investigating an expose on Bigport life written by an insider and the town appears to be sitting, quite literally, on a powder keg, the residents bring out the heavy artillery and respond in the only way they know how — by staging a parade.
“There is no nudity and none of the people, places or situations are real,” Vale said. “But it’s a story set in small-town Montana and, to those who live in a small Montana town, Bigport may feel a lot like home.”
Bigfork resident Tara Allen plays Beatrice Martin, the “unofficial mayor” of Bigport.
“Although the characters are fictional,” Martin said, “I draw on real people I know to develop my character. People who are bossy, controlling, and secretive. Nothing like me, of course.”
“My character just loves to shoot big guns and blow things up,” said Eric Myers, who plays Garrett Reese. “I’ve never actually done any of that stuff, but I’m beginning to see the appeal.”
“My character, Dottie Wilson, tries to be a moderating influence on the craziness,” said Melinda Skilondz. “But sometimes her love for festivity just takes over and moderation goes out the window.”
“Naked Bigport doesn’t attempt to make any sort of a social statement,” Vale noted. “It’s just an evening of fun watching folks you could know acting a bit more unusual than usual.”
The comedy will play at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts with performances scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 22 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 22 and 23. Tickets are available at Bigfork Drug, the Pocketstone Cafe, the Kalispell Grand Hotel and at the door. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $5 for children under 12. Naked Bigport contains occasional mild profanity, but should be appropriate for all audiences.