Paula White
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Jun 18/99) - Tom and Gloria are back. So are Frank and Yolinda, Agnes and Martha and Ellen the teacher.

Even ol' Greasy Slick is back in town.

In other words, the Inuvik Choral and Theatrical Society is ready to kick off its sixth season of dinner theatres, performing, as always, East Three -- The Story of Inuvik. The opening takes place on Father's Day, as it does every year.

"It's usually when the tourists are coming to town," said Patrick Schmidt.

Schmidt, along with Vicki Billingsly and Debbie Enoch, are the show's directors. Schmidt and Billingsly have been a part of the dinner theatres for all six seasons, and Enoch for the past five. In fact, many of the actors have been involved in the production for more than a year.

"A lot of people are returning," Schmidt said, "but we do get a couple of new people every year."

The comedy was written by Rod Hunchak. It is a historical review of the birth of Inuvik and, from the very first, it was a smashing success.

"We get just under 1,000 people every year to see the show," Schmidt said. "I think it's one of the highlights of the summer."

Schmidt added that it is perfect for tourists who want an evening out and, at the same time, want to learn a little about the town's history.

"It's kind of well-recognized now," he said. "A lot of people in town are starting to recognize the importance of having it."

This year, Schmidt plays Tom, a character that appears in the modern-day prologue which is set atop Chuk Park Tower. He also makes a brief appearance later in the show as Rusty, the pilot who flew in Ellen, the new teacher. Billingsly plays the part of the tourist Yolinda, wife of Frank. She also does the narrating during the Greasy Slick scene.

At least two actors play each character. Schmidt's Tom is also played by Scott Black while Richelle Gardener and Marg Woodason also play Yolinda. Schmidt said this is because it would be too demanding a schedule for just one person per character.

"It's a big commitment for a lot of people," he said, but added having a largely veteran cast makes setting up each night a lot easier.

Playing Gloria (the friend of Tom) are Enoch, Andrea Hansen and Camellia Gray. Frank the tourist is played by Dennis Zimmerman, Chris Garvin and Larry Robertson. Playing Agnes, one of the Aklavik ladies, are Camellia Gray again, Vina Norris and Marjorie Baetz. Andrea Hansen and Debbie Enoch alternate playing Martha, the other Aklavik lady. Ellen the new teacher is played by Patti Black and Cathy de Kock, while teacher Bonnie Miller is played by Marg Woodason and Deana Sabuda. Miller's husband Rusty is portrayed by whoever plays Frank the tourist and the pilot is played by whoever plays Tom.

Billingsly and Scott Black take turns narrating during the Greasy Slick scene, the characters of which are played by randomly-selected members of the audience. In all, there are between 20 and 25 people involved in the production.

The shows will be held every Wednesday and Sunday evening in the banquet room of the Finto Motor Inn until Aug. 8. The meal starts at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. It is about two hours long, depending on the size of the crowd. Tickets are $39 for adults and $19 for children.

In all, the show is a must-see for both tourists and residents.

"There are some people in town who still haven't seen it," said Schmidt, who urges people to come out and support their local theatre troupe.