Becca Carter, center, played by Caitlin Cannon, is flanked by Will Partin (left, played by Jason Lythgoe) and one of the many characters played by Geoff Johnson (right) as she comes to the realization that she’s not in 2015 anymore. The scene is from the Stater’ Hotel’s summer production of “Guitar Strings, a Cowboy and a Lost Peacock,” an original play conceived by Rod Barker and written by Sarah Syverson./Photo by Jennaye Derge

Elevator time machine

Strater premieres rollicking romp through the years

by Stew Mosberg

Incorporating 100 years of Durango history into an entertaining, family-friendly show is no small feat for any production, no matter the size. But Durango’s own Strater Theatre manages to pull off such theatrical magic, with its summer offering “Guitar Strings, a Cowboy and a Lost Peacock,” a whimsical look at Durango over the last century.

And for those who may not know the whole story, the Strater itself plays into that 100-year history. Built starting in 1881, on the cusp of Durango’s early prosperity, it was the dream of a transplanted Cleveland pharmacist, Henry Strater, who believed the town needed a grand hotel. After six years of construction and an astronomical (at the time) $70,000, the dream – and hotel still bearing his name – was unveiled.

However, about 40 years later, a group of investors led by Earl A. Barker Sr. bought the property and began refurbishing it. Passing from father to son to grandson, the hotel is now owned and operated by Rod Barker.

It was this third-generation owner who came up with the idea to use the hotel’s storied venue for an entertaining retelling of Durango’s history.

The result is this summer’s “Guitar Strings, a Cowboy and a Lost Peacock,” an original play that shows nightly (except Mondays) through Sept. 26.

Barker’s initial concept for the show was shaped by some creative input from his assistant, Guyneth Zimmerman. Inspired by the songs and poetry of the Cowboy Gathering, a favorite Durango occurrence of Barker’s, he ultimately sought a professional to pull it all together, local writer and performer Sarah Syverson. “I was lucky to find Sarah,” Barker admitted. “She was wonderful to work with and had the tenacity that it takes to plow through the myriad of details necessary to make the play work.”

In addition to her substantial theatrical credentials, Syverson, who lives in Mancos, also has written two one-woman plays: “The Secret Lives of the Divine” and “GROWING: Adventures in Food and Farming.” The latter is heading to Madison, Wis., next June where it will be performed at the annual National Farm to School Conference.

Scott Levy, an artistic director with the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, was recruited to direct the play. Syverson said it was an honor to work with such an accomplished professional. “Scott has a huge amount of experience and was comfortable delegating tasks and working closely with Rod to accomplish what needed to be done within a tight time line,” she said. “We were lucky to get him on board. He created a relaxed atmosphere within which we accomplished an enormous amount of work. I have a great deal of respect for him and his skill level.”

Geoff Johnson, center, as the genie, instructs his elevator mates on what they must do to return to their respective eras./Photo by Jennaye Derge

Most people know the Strater as home to the Melodrama, so changing the theater’s venerable summer fare to this light-hearted romp may come as a surprise. Barker said he made the change to offer something that more closely reflected history in Durango instead of something that takes place in Ireland or England (the setting for many Melodramas). “Many visitors to Durango have very little understanding of the way Durango was 50 or 100 years ago,” he said. “I wanted to give a fresh perspective to the way I heard it from the early pioneers like my great-grandfather Jim Jarvis and others. I think that the show does a great job of painting that picture.”

As specific as the Durango references in the two-act play are, you don’t have to be from here to find the production engaging. The costumes by Rod’s wife, Laurie, are imaginative and fun, albeit the Elvis get-up could have been more authentic. The sets are more than fitting, and the rear-projected vintage photos provide just enough ambience.

As noted in the playbill, the story is about Will Partin, a 1915 singing cowboy-poet, played by Jason Lythgoe, who enters a time warp when he steps into an elevator at the Strater Hotel. Shortly thereafter, he is joined by Becca Carter from 2015, a singer/songwriter portrayed by Caitlin Cannon.

A genie, enthusiastically played by Geoff Johnson, suddenly appears through a tiny doorway in the elevator and the story is off and running. Johnson, not so incidentally, has the yeoman’s task of playing 20 characters, and in one hilariously orchestrated scene, plays three of them at once. His performance is a tour de force, with audience laughter beginning each time he enters a scene.

The story continues when Becca and Will are instructed by the genie on how to get out of their predicament, leading the duo on a whimsical adventure of self discovery. Their escapades are further complicated by a quest for a lost peacock, which they are told is the only way they can return to their respective time periods. Along the way, they and the audience gain a good look into how our culture has changed. 

Original music for the show was written and is performed by Cannon, while the cowboy poetry charmingly recited by Lythgoe was written by Barker as well as Utah poet, Linda Ori. And last but not least, an authentic touch to the performance is added with the vaudevillian tune “Hello My Baby,” circa 1895.

The cast are all seasoned professionals and it shows. Lythgoe, who is from Colorado Springs and was recommended by Levy, said that living on the Front Range did create a few logistical issues. “However, it only took (me) a few days because the opportunity was a fantastic one that I couldn’t turn down,” he said. “Who wouldn’t want to spend their summer in Durango doing a world premiere show?” 

Lythgoe has performed in several plays in Denver and Colorado Springs and also teaches at the Colorado Springs Conservatory. Reflecting on his Durango experience so far, he said it’s been an honor to originate a role in a new script. “I’ve had the pleasure to do it just a handful of times,” he said. “It’s a different beast to tackle as you are the first to bring a character to life.”

The closing duet with Cannon and Lythgoe provides an emotional poignancy that will leave audiences wanting more. Suffice to say, this is a charming, spirited, funny and thoroughly entertaining play.