The Virgin Valley Theatre Group is working hard to open their 2015-16 Season with the very challenging Angel Street production on Oct. 16 at the Mesquite Community Theatre, 150 North Yucca Street.  Angel Street is directed by Matt McDonald and Jenna Grubb, two of the VVTG audience’s favorite actors and longtime members.

Janet McDonald, new Virgin Valley Theatre Group President, is working hard behind the scenes to reproduce the period clothing required for the VVTG’s 2015 season opener Angel Street which is scheduled to open at the Mesquite Community Theatre on Oct. 16.  Pictured here McDonald fits Glen Bjornson, VVTG Artistic Director, Set Designer and one of the three leads in Angel Street for his overcoat, just one of the many Victorian Period costumes McDonald single-handedly created. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

Janet McDonald, new Virgin Valley Theatre Group President, is working hard behind the scenes to reproduce the period clothing required for the VVTG’s 2015 season opener Angel Street which is scheduled to open at the Mesquite Community Theatre on Oct. 16. Pictured here McDonald fits Glen Bjornson, VVTG Artistic Director, Set Designer and one of the three leads in Angel Street for his overcoat, just one of the many Victorian Period costumes McDonald single-handedly created. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

McDonald and Grubb both have wanted to create this tasty theatrical morsel for the VVTG audience for quite some time, and now they’re cooking.  Angel Street is just the first in the smorgasbord of entertainment included with the productions the VVTG has prepared for you this season.

Their main ingredients for the VVTG’s season opener begin with Janet McDonald, VVTG’s new President, who is not only busy with her board position, marketing the season and coordinating events, she is also single-handedly designing and creating the early Victorian costumes for the seven characters in the production.

Glen Bjornson, VVTG Artistic Director and set designer has been working on the recipe for this season for months.  McDonald and Grubb ordered the ingredients for the season opener Angel Street and blended them all together to build a hearty foundation for this ornate undertaking.  The crew has been building for six weeks to complete Bjornson’s vision; a set that the VVTG’s “English” dialect coach described to Bjornson as, “like walking into my Grandmother’s parlor in England”.

Bjornson had created some of the best sets the VVTG audience has seen in the past three years and this one is no exception.  It was quite challenging on many levels to re-create the period style set that was required for this production but Bjornson’s attention to detail and wonderful design skills won’t disappoint on this creation. In fact, you’ll probably  get the feeling you want to “move right in and have a spot of tea” the minute the curtain opens.  The audience has the added benefit of watching Bjornson, a very talented and dedicated actor as well, in the lead role of Mr. Manningham.

If the binding ingredients in this show are Bjornson’s set along with Janet McDonald’s costume designs added to Matt McDonald’s and Jenna Grubb’s stage experience and talent and Patti Bjornson’s (Stage Manager)  knack for “pulling it all together,” they are sure to produce a bountiful feast for the audiences of this production.  Add to the former ingredients a talented cast of actors who are working hard to create the savory characters and the VVTG’s season opener will no doubt have you licking your lips craving more.

Angel Street is the story of the Mannighams.  Seemingly sweet and devoted husband, Jack Mannigham (Glen Bjornson), is insidiously driving his wife Bella (Jennifer Patrick) insane with kindness.  Scotland Yard Inspector, Roughy played by new-comer Denis Feehan, visits Bella while investigating Jack for a murder committed 15 years prior. Inspector Roughy and Bella begin working together to build evidence against Jack.

Glen Bjornson, Virgin Valley Theatre Group Artistic Director and Set Designer of the VVTG’s season opener Angel Street, painstakingly applies stenciling to the many walls in the Old English, Victorian style living areas to mimic wallpaper. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

Glen Bjornson, Virgin Valley Theatre Group Artistic Director and Set Designer of the VVTG’s season opener Angel Street, painstakingly applies stenciling to the many walls in the Old English, Victorian style living areas to mimic wallpaper. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

The dessert in the show is none other than a great supporting cast of Emily Conklin who plays the young housekeeper Nancy and Jerrie Clarke as Elizabeth along with Chad Calmelat and Mark Guertin who have the roles of Police Officer one and two.  You definitely won’t want to miss this tantalizing production.

Each of the actors have been working with a vocal coach to perfect the “English” dialect necessary to produce the show as authentically as they can as well as putting in many hours of rehearsal time perfecting the characters and their extremely challenging performance issues.

Do Bella and Inspector Roughy succeed in bringing Jack to justice or does Jack succeed in driving poor Bella completely insane?  What other secrets lie between the Jack and the domestic help?  You’ll have to attend the show to find out the answers.

Angel Street opens Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Mesquite Community Theatre with additional shows scheduled Oct.17, 23, 24, 30 and 31 also at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct.25 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and can be obtained at any one of the outlets: Danielle’s Chocolates, Have Boutique Will Travel, Mesquite Chamber of Commerce, Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery or now online at www.vvtgnv.com.

Glen Bjornson stands among the nearly completed Victorian style set for the Virgin Valley Theatre Group’s 2015 season opener Angel Street which is co-directed by Matt McDonald and Jenna Grubb, long time audience favorites and VVTG members.  Angel Street is scheduled to open Oct. 16 at the Mesquite Community Theatre. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

Glen Bjornson stands among the nearly completed Victorian style set for the Virgin Valley Theatre Group’s 2015 season opener Angel Street which is co-directed by Matt McDonald and Jenna Grubb, long time audience favorites and VVTG members. Angel Street is scheduled to open Oct. 16 at the Mesquite Community Theatre. Photo by Teri Nehrenz