Tempas Theatre Activities

How to Succeed in Business - June, 2007

In 2003 Dan had been in the Music Society version of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying . Now, Dow high School was doing the play and the boys made their first venture into High School Drama. Christopher got the role of Mr. Brat and Ryan got Mr. Biggley. Amy Bushey was the excellent director of this classic business comedy which remains relevant even today.

After the show	The Show Cast
Mr. Brat	JB Biggley
Finch meets Biggley	Paris Original

Wizard of Oz - May, 2007

The Music Society puts on yet another spectacle with the classic Wizard of Oz. Dan was in the chorus and played an "Ozian", a Winkie guard, and the face of Oz.

After the show	Munchkins
The guard of Oz (Dave Ritter)	Flying monkey!
Winkies Attack!	The Witch Dies
Ozzians!	The Fab Four

Lil' Abner - August, 2006

Teenage Musicals Incorporated (TMI) puts on a play each summer at the Center. The age group is teenagers, of course, but it seems that the age goes up to the early 20s. Christopher landed his first lead role as Lil' Abner. Ryan was in the chorus but did a good job playing several roles.

Abner and the family after the show	Abner and Daisey Mae (Becky Lee)
Marryin' Sam (Alex Kempsel) and Abner	The Strong Men

Cinderella - May, 2006

Jefferson Middle School put on the play Cinderella. Ryan had the role of the prince, Shannon Barr had the role of Cinderella.

The Prince and Cinderella (Shannon Barr)	Some of the cast after the show

Man of LaMancha - May 5-7 and, 2006

A five-time Tony Award winner and recipient of the New York Drama Critics award for Best Musical, Man of LaMancha is a remarkable show and one of the great theatre successes of our time. Under the able direction of Carol Rumba, this was Dan's first foray into directing as he served as assistant director on this show. Although I knew this show would be good, I was startled at the awesome display of talent from David Young as Don Quixote and Marci Rogers as Dulcinea. Christopher played the role of the Barber. The set was simply amazing thanks to Jim Ely and Wendy Johnson.

The Barbour and the AD after the show	The amazing set
The Padre (Jim Dennis) and Dr. Carrasco (Tom Lowrey)	Dulcinea and Don Quixote

Side by Side by Sondheim - February 10 & 11, 2006

With the family after the show	King Bull Sparrow, the sparrow leader

The Legend of Redwall Abby - October 13-16, 2005

With the family after the show	King Bull Sparrow, the sparrow leader
Captain Snow	As the Beaver...

Beauty and the Beast - October 14-16 and 21-22, 2005

Disney's Beauty and the Beast was the Music Society's great gamble in 2005. For five years nobody had attempted to run a show for two weekends. Could it be done again? Under the masterful direction of Carol Rumba; Christopher, Dan, and a magnificent cast of central Michigan's finest stage talent put together this wonderful story based on the animated movie. It was a smashing success! Four of the five shows were sold out and the production was something to behold. Special credit goes to Jeff Stierle who played the Beast with both power and passion.

M. D'Arque and Villager after the show	Christopher in the Wolf costume back stage
Christopher in the Gaston Scene	Be Our Guest
Oh, what a guy!	"I have come to collect your father..."

Jesus Christ Superstar - May 6,7, and 8, 2005

Both Christopher and Dan were on stage in this production in ensemble parts as Apostles. Dan was also a dancer in the King Herod scene. Also, Cindy was assistant properties (props) supervisor. Of course, this play, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, was one of the most popular plays in the latter half of the twentieth century. Direction was under the capable hand of Fran Martinez. It was popular here in Midland as well with all three shows selling well over 1,000 tickets. Christian King (!) who played Jesus Christ was perfect in his roll.

Herod's Kickline	The Last Supper
The Props Person back stage	Dan and Christopher (Apostles)

Sweeney Todd - February 18, 19, and 20, 2005

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, written by Stephen Sondheim, was the epitome of why we got into theatre. Dark, comedic, and simply a masterpiece, this was consummately directed by David Pulice who also directed Pirates of Penzance. Sondheim's music was fiercely difficult what with alternating 5/4, 4/4, and 9/8 time signatures sometimes on the same page of music. Christopher was brilliant in this show playing the very difficult part of Tobias, the sidekick of Pirelli and later, Mrs. Lovett. Dan played Pirelli, the swindling, competing barber of Sweeney and the first to die under Sweeney's Razor.

Pirelli and Tobias	The Amazing Sweeney Todd Cast
Tobias starts his sales pitch (Amy Sabourin in foreground)	Tobias sells Elixor to Sweeney (David King)
Pirelli challenges Sweeney	Pirelli thinks he has Sweeney
Tobias swears to protect Mrs. Lovette (Susie Polito)	Tobias kills Sweeney

Hercules - October 14-17, 2004

October was a busy time, as right after South Pacific, Ryan was on stage in the Little Theatre in the Peanut Gallery production of Hercules by Craig Sodaro. Hercules was written for a younger cast. Ryan played the part of King Auges, the King whose stables had to be cleaned out by Hercules. Ryan was a riot in this very entertaining take-off of the classic Greek myth.

The Family with the King	Taking a bow

South Pacific - October 8, 9, and 10, 2004

South Pacific, by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, is one of the great classic plays from the golden era of Broadway. Dan had the part of Luthor Billis, the wisecracking, con-artist sailor that seems to get into almost everything. Christopher played Stu-Pot, one of Luthor's side kicks. Christopher's friend, Paul Wilt, played Luthor's other sidekick, the professor. This show was a lot of fun to do and was extra special with Dan and Chris sharing the stage together. Also, the sailor hat I wore was my dad's in World War II, in the South Pacific!

The Family after the show	The Backdrop

Rap-Rap-Rapunzel - June 2004

Ryan Tempas makes his debut on the Center For the Arts stage with his portrayal of Mr. Gullable in Rap-Rap-Rapunzel. This was the first (but probably not the last) show where the entire Tempas family was involved. Dan and Chris did sound up in the booth and Cindy helped with costumes.

The Family	In the Sound Booth
The Gullables (Kathleen Reed as the Mrs.)	In the Make-Up Chair

Cash on Delivery - May 2004

Cash on Delivery by Michael Cooney is classic British farce with plenty of mistaken identities (a person who lies "dead" on the stage plays three different people!), plot complications, and innuendo. The cast in this production was simply amazing. I played the part of Dr. Chapman, the not entirely secure advisor from the family support department.

Dr. Chapman in Rehearsal	The Cast

Honk! - February 12-15, 2004

Honk! was Cindy's first foray onto the stage. She played several ensemble parts including a frog and the ever favorite, Goose Patrol. She was magnificent! We eagerly await the next time she gets under the lights.

Dan & Cindy after the show	The Goose Patrol
The Patrol in Action	Frog Scene

How to Succeed in Business - October 24-26, 2003

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying was the first big part I had ever had in a play. I played Bud Frump, the nemesis of J. Pierpont Finch, the up and coming window washer played with consummate skill by Billy Anderson. Being the bad guy can be a lot of fun. This was an absolutely wonderful cast. Oddly enough, I wore contacts to enable me to wear the old style black, horn rimmed glasses.

The Family after the show (my Mom!)	Frump and Twimble (Alan Getzin)
Frump with Mr. Biggley (Ron Kruman)	Frump with Heddy (Emily Richardson)

Feelin' Good - October 9,10,11,12, 2003

Feelin' Good is a play written Mr. Lowry, a middle school teacher here in Midland who has written several plays which are syndicated nationally. The play consists of several vignettes, so there is not a lead actor/actress per se. Christopher was on stage with Ashley in a piece called I Like You. Dan was assistant stage manager on this show.

Christopher and Ashley	Chris as the Freak

Pirates of Penzance - May 1-3, 2003

The Pirates of Penzance, a classic Gilbert & Sullivan, was the first Music Society play in which Dan was actually a principle: the Police Sergeant. This was scary, the Sergeant has two solo songs, When the Foeman Bares His Steel and When a Felon's Not Engaged in His Employment. Fortunately, I had my fellow policeman backing me up. I also played the part of a pirate in the first act, so I was busy.

The Sergeant and the Family	The Police after the show
The Sergeant listens for the Pirates	The Pirate King (David Young) triumphs over the Police

The Music Man - October 17-20, 2002

The Music Man, a classic play by Meredith Willson, is a prime favorite of the family and the first big production for Dan. This play took place in the MCFTA Auditorium with its 1500 seats. Dan played the Tenor in the Quartet along with Brad Schwab, Dave Kempsell, and Jeff Stierle.

The Quartet after the Show	The Quarrelsome School Board
It's you!	Lida Rose (I'm Home Again Rose)

The Time Machine - October 10-13, 2002

The Time Machine, written by Carol Rumba, was a modern day, made for kids version of H.G. Wells classic novel. Christopher played a Morlok with a total of three lines. Oh well. Dan designed and built the time machine (which, fortunately, did not actually have to travel through time) along with Russ Russell. It was a neat play with a variety of special effects.

Christopher's Line: "Three"	The Time Machine
The Morlocks, Christopher is in the center	Time Machine Control Panel