“Dogsbreath Devereaux, The Dastardly Doctor”

Barnstormers Theatre was founded in 1952 by Mike Spooner and by 1961 the organization had purchased a 1925 church building at 112 NE Evelyn Avenue in Grants Pass, Oregon.  

Converting the building into a theater, the mortgage was eventually paid off through ticket sales and private donations.  Barnstormers Theatre is now Oregon’s oldest continuous community theater, with a special focus on encouraging and developing new talent from the community.  They have now produced more than 230 plays over their half-century history.

They are a non-profit Oregon corporation with a paid staff of only one - the theater manager. All others involved in the production are volunteers simply working for the love of live community theater, maybe some tip money and a few free tickets.

As I took my seat in this intimate little theater I counted 87 seats and a stage that one could almost reach out and touch from the first row.  I had purchased tickets for the Sunday afternoon matinee of the melodrama “Dogsbreath Devereau, The Dastardly Doctor” written by Billy St. John.   

As the curtain opens you are transported to an emergency room in the Hanover D. Cash Clinic.  Dr. Dogsbreath Devereaux is in charge of the clinic that is owned by a wealthy widow named Lotta Cash. Dr. Devereaux had concoted plans to gain control of the clinic and Lotta's millions by marrying Lotta -- and then arranging for her to have a little "accident."  Helping him is the nasty nurse, Hilda Hatchet, whom he promises to wed after he gets rid of Lotta.  The loathsome plan becomes complicated when a virtuous and innocent nurse, Wendy March, comes to work at the clinic.

Nurse Wendy March overhears the plot to get rid of Lotta and finds herself in danger as well.  Can Dr. Phil Good, the hero, save Wendy and the unsuspecting Lotta from certain death. With an abundance of crazy patients and a plot filled with murder and mayhem, this melodrama had us booing, cheering or laughing from start to finish.  This is a typical melodrama complete with a lecherous villain, a beautiful young heroine, a handsome and noble hero, and a cast of quirky comedic characters.

This melodrama run through the middle of August.  Adult tickets are $15 and Seniors are $10.  For more information or to purchase tickets check out Barnstormers Theatre.