The Dastardly Dr. Devereaux is played by Chris Murphy, with Nurse Cratchit played by Cathy O'Connell. Sitting in amazement is Shelby Posada. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – The Lake County Arts Council (LCAC) is preparing to present “The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux” at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre opening in December.

The production will begin with a 2 p.m. matinée on Saturday, Dec. 5, and an evening performance at 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, Dec. 6.

Three more performances will round out the show on Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinée on Sunday, Dec. 14.

This is a very entertaining musical melodrama giving the audience an opportunity to interact with the actors by hissing and booing the villain and cheering on the hero or heroine, which ever may be the case. It's a theatrical production that will put you in the holiday mood and is appropriate for the entire family.

"Although, we have produced the Winter Music Fest and the Spring Dance Festival for over 18 years, it's been some time since LCAC has been involved in a theatrical production and the first for LCAC at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre," said President Sandi Ciaradelli. "We are especially pleased to be partnering in this endeavor with Mendocino College-Lake Side by holding Acting Class 200 at the Soper-Reese and culminating with the presentation of the play."

LCAC'S Executive Director Shelby Posada emphasized the important role that the arts can play in the educational process. With LCAC taking an active role in working with the college by supporting the class and play, we are showing how two major non-profits can interact to encourage the arts, further education and, in the process, benefit the community.

The Soper-Reese Theatre provides the perfect setting for teaching an acting class on a real stage, in a real theater and thus enhancing the learning experience for the 25 students, the instructor/director, the producers and all who are involved in this "win/win" production. This is what a community theater is all about.

For more information visit the Soper-Reese's Web site at www.soperreesetheatre.com or call Jenna Radtke at 707-533-7472.

LAKEPORT – The Mendocino College Lake Center, in collaboration with the Lake County Arts Council, will present the musical melodrama “The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux” at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre in Lakeport.

Performances will be held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 2 p.m. Dec. 6, 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 2 p.m. Dec. 13.

“The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux” is a hysterical tale of scheming, dreaming and cold bedpans.

Bring the kids; tickets for children under 18 are only $10, $15 for general admission and $20 for reserved seating.

For more information visit the Soper-Reese's Web site at www.soperreesetheatre.com or call Jenna Radtke, assistance producer, at 707-533-7472.

CLEARLAKE – “Moonlight and Melodrama” is a unique dining experience for everyone that will be hosted at The Lakehouse Lamplighter in Clearlake at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28.

Tickets are $15 a piece, or $25 a couple.

For the cost of a ticket patrons receive a beer/wine ticket, an appetizer, a dinner, a dessert, and a sneak-peak at the upcoming production, "The Dastardly Doctor Deveraux."

Children are welcome and tickets are available now for presale at Main Street Gallery in Lakeport, Wildhurst Winery in Kelseyville, Wild About Books in Clearlake and Shannon Ridge Winery in Clearlake Oaks.

For tickets or more information, please call Jenna Radtke at 707-533-7472.

Music will be featured from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Acoustic instruments are welcome.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

For more information call 707-987-3647.

D's Coffee and Tea Shop is located at 21187 Calistoga St., Middletown.

The play stars Holman as Daisy Werthan and Robinson as Hoke Colburn, Daisy’s driver. Derrick Harvey plays Bodie Werthan, Daisy’s son. In 2003, during its run on stage in Lower Lake, the play was sold out and ended with standing ovations every night.

During an interview that will air after the play, Joan Holman said that she had “eight decades of experience on the stage” before she played the part of Miss Daisy.

She got her start as an actress at the age of 7, and stayed involved in the theater throughout her life, even while she was working as a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle for 30 years.

When she retired to Lake County, she was involved in the Ukiah Players Theatre for 10 years before she became involved in the Lake County Repertory Theatre.

About acting, she said, “The character has to come from the actor. I knew Daisy, and I became her.”

Ginger Ingersoll, the producer, said that one of the qualities she liked about the play was that it would give an opportunity for both Holman and Robinson to portray interesting characters.

“Miss Daisy is not a feel good play,” she said. “It’s about a relationship between two unlikely friends – a Jewish woman and an African-American man.”

In the after-play interview, Mary Howe, the play’s director, said that she has been involved in show business since she was 5 years old, growing up in Los Angeles and then studying radio and TV in college. She owned and operated dinner theaters for many years before she moved to Lake County.

Howe said she’s a bookkeeper by trade, and “I’m into detail.” Directing “Miss Daisy” gave her an opportunity to project this story through “one of the best casts I’ve ever had.”

“Driving Miss Daisy” will air as a one-hour play, followed by an hour of interviews and commentary, on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 23, at 9 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m.; and two times on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, at 3 p.m. and again at 9 p.m.