Melodramas sound like fun ... what's 2013's musical melodrama all about?

Dirty Deeds at the Depot is set in the glory days of the San Juan Capistrano back in 1895. It is the story of Lacie Camisole awaiting the arrival of her future husband at the newly built train depot. This husband is not one of her selection, mind you, but one of her father’s choosing so that they can save the Camisole family ranch. Lacie has resigned herself to her fate until she finds that the new station master is her not-forgotten childhood sweetheart Justin Tyme. Will this surprising revelation change the course of her future? Is the arrival of Professor Mack’s traveling Medicine Show merely a coincidence or does the “Professor” have some nefarious scheme up his sleeve? What brings the Gypsy Claire Voyant to town? I know “the train” … but what is the secret she is keeping? Will the Local School Marm or her half-brother Duncan Disorderly ruin Lacie's chances for happiness? What is Wyatt Earp doing in town and why can’t you find a Pinkerton agent when you really need one?

Mayhem, mystery, dreams fulfilled, cue cards and foam rocks. Schemers, Scalawags and Scoundrels and a whole slew of authentic old time music … all just a small part of the Dirty Deeds going on at the Depot in San Juan Capistrano. Be sure to purchase yur tickets early ... Last years melodrama Chaos at the Cannery, sold out or nearly sold out for every performance except onef Thursday night shoiw.

Making Melodramas at the Camino Real Playhouse ... San Juan Style!

Some of the characteristics of authentic melodrama include: That villainy is always distinct from honesty; virtue always overcomes vice, and there is a happy ending. There is always a hero, always a villain and always a heroine. They are typically fast moving and emphasize the agony that the hero or heroine must go through before good over can triumph over evil. Other stereotypical characters include a sheriff, the ‘fallen’ woman, and comical friends who face almost insurmountable odds shared with the hero or the heroine. Melodramas are characterized by acting which incorporates large gestures and lavish facial expressions which denote specific characteristics and emotions. Sometimes almost slap-stick comedy in nature. In the Old West ... this acting style was necessary so that the people sitting way up the back of theatres could understand the action ... today we still keep acting that way just because it's more fun that way!

Plays chosen are re-set in our town of San Juan Capistrano in the late 1800s and include improvisational pokes and jabs (all in jest) at our friends in the local community. Whether you're the mayor or just a proprietor of our local saloon ... don't be surprised if your name comes up mentioned as a "Shameless Plug" in oone of our melodramas. And if you heckle the actors ... be prepared for a scathing rebuttal.

The "melo" in our melo-dramas comes from the melody used to highlight and underscore our productions. From "honky-tonk" or "rag time" pianos to authentic cowboy guitar music, we bring live music of some sort right on stage and we stay true to old western style melodrama with live sound effects provided for each rip-roaring performance.
 
The virtuous hero or vivacious heroine is hounded by a villain and then rescued from a series of life threatening events over and over as our episodic story unfolds. Plot devices like disguise, abduction, concealed identity and fortunate coincidence are often used just to keep the audience guessing what will come next. Characters such as friends of the hero or heroine provide comic relief and, of course, help out with the singing and dancing.
 
Each scene typically ends with a climax and often the villain looks like he will succeed in his nefarious plot. Look for plenty of fist fights and shoot 'em-ups in our annual thrilling tales of passion and greed. Boo the villain and cheer the hero. You are even encouraged to grab a foam "rock" or two that we have scattered around the audience and hurl, toss or lob them at the villain as he displays his larceny on stage. Please avoid lobbing the foam "rocks" at our beautiful heroine or our stalwart hero and only throw the foam "rocks" we provide ... real rocks tossed on stage tend to keep actors from returning for their next performance.

For more information about Melodramas ... be sure to visit www.HeroAndVillain.com the new home for Great American Melodrama.