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[Writer’s note: I want to be clear that this piece is not intended to be a review. I don’t mean to throw shade at the people who write or publish reviews. I understand that reviews have their purpose. But in general, I find them to be, well … boring. And also sometimes mean. I just don’t love the idea of sharing how good or bad I thought a show to be, nor do I like the idea of basing my decision to see something on someone else’s opinion. Art is subjective, right? Someone may love the same thing that someone else hates. I would rather allow my readers to form their own opinion about the art they consume. 

With this feature, I instead aim to give a sense of the work that goes into stage productions and the role that local theater plays for the actors and the community. ]

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Backstage at the Ferndale Repertory Theatre buzzed with excitement as the actors readied themselves for their fifth performance of The Elephant Man, hurriedly putting on their costumes and makeup, some asking to borrow brushes or eyeliner from a fellow actor, some adhering fake hair to their face, while others took last minute bites of food as they prepare to go on. The energy was lively, with jovial conversations and predictions being made about how many people will be in the audience tonight. 

Before going on, local actor Keenan Hilton, who plays John Merrick (the Elephant Man), took a moment out of his pre-show ritual to talk to the Outpost about the joys and challenges of working on this show, how he embodies the character of Merrick and why participating in local live theater is so important to him. 

“In the beginning, one of my big concerns was about the ethics of performing the part of someone with a disability that I don’t have,” Hilton told the Outpost while he was applying his stage makeup. “Especially given the fact that theater is not a very accessible space for people with disabilities.”

If you’re not familiar with the story of The Elephant Man, it is based on the life of Joseph Merrick (1862 - 1890), an Englishman who suffered from severe physical deformities. After spending the first few years of his young-adult life working in the Leicester workhouse, Merrick went to work at a London freak show under the stage name “The Elephant Man,” a name given to him due to the appearance of his deformities. While working in the freakshow, he caught the attention of Sir Frederick Treves, a British surgeon who wished to study Merrick’s body. Eventually, Merrick was invited to live at the London Hospital, where he stayed until his death in 1890. 

The play, written by Bernard Pomerance, premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in London. The play has since been revived multiple times on Broadway and in prominent theaters in many other cities, with Merrick being played by several well-known celebrities, including Bradley Cooper and David Bowie.

Like the greats Bowie and Cooper before him, Hilton was faced with the unique challenge of giving the audience a sense of Merrick’s deformities and the pain he constantly suffered, without actually looking like Merrick. The audience is given a reference image in one of the earlier scenes of the play – a famous picture of Merrick is displayed on the stage (the same photo is also included in the programs) while Hilton stands in front of it, contorting his body to mirror Merrick’s, while Treves – played by Joshua Purvis –  describes Merrick’s physical deformities. 

The script specifically calls for no prosthetics or makeup to recreate Merrick’s appearance, Hilton explained to the Outpost. “Basically, the more realistic that you could get with [Merrick’s] visual appearance, the more it would distract from the story of the show,” Hilton said. The same goes for trying to accurately portray Merrick’s speech. He was very difficult to understand and actually speaking the way he did would detract from the story, Hilton added. 

And Hilton manages this feat amazingly well, with a captivating performance that somehow allows the audience to imagine him within Merrick’s body, capturing the emotional and physical pain that Merrick felt on a daily basis. The play allows the audience to look beyond the deformities and see Merrick for who he really was – a kind and gentle man, who only wants a bit of warmth from others and some tranquility in his life.

“The whole point of [the story] is trying to convey, in a poetic sense, the ways that we otherize people who look different, and that it profoundly affects their lives,” Hilton told the Outpost. “There are things that can make that easier or harder to navigate … either the emotional pain that goes from being excluded or the great relief and wonderful feelings that come from having a connection with someone. And you get to see both in the play.” 

The ways in which Hilton has to distort his body to give a sense of Merrick’s pain (he walks with a cane throughout most of the play, contorts his face and twists his legs and arms), took a lot of physical conditioning. Director Cleo DeOrio, who has a strong background in physical theater and dance, helped coach Hilton through this, he said. The two spent a lot of time studying photos of Merrick and discussing how Hilton could achieve this in the show. Hilton also has to do an extensive physical warm-up, mostly yoga positions, before his performance, he said. The physicality of the show leaves his muscles and joints in pain, he said, which he helps by using a CBD pain relieving balm given to him by his castmate Mary-Jo Caassanta (who plays Pin Head, Sandwich and Princess Alexandra.) 

The level of camaraderie between the actors is heartening and the dedication that they bring to their craft is impressive, especially considering that these are unpaid roles. Because local theater actors aren’t usually paid for their work, as you can probably imagine, they do it because they love it. 

“For me, as a performing artist, the primary draw is the artistic expression,” Hilton told the Outpost. “I see it as such an integral part, a rewarding part of being a human.” 

When you think about how many types of entertainment we have in the world today – high-budget and action-packed films, live music concerts, a seemingly endless number of television shows and movies that you can stream for a pretty cheap price in your own home – it’s amazing that live theater remains a relatively well-patronized artform. But it does seem to serve a unique role in the community. Though local theater has struggled somewhat to again find its footing since COVID closed venues down, for the people who work in and attend live theater, there has never been a question of whether or not this art form needed to return to our lives. 

“There’s no sense of manufacturedness, because it’s real, live human bodies on stage,” Jake Hyslop, who plays multiple roles in the show, including the Pin Head manager and an English police officer in the show, told the Outpost backstage. “If we mess up, we can’t fix it in post. We can’t do a second take. We’re really trusting in the audience, and the audience is trusting in us.” 

Hyslop’s sentiment is echoed by all the other performers – Purvis, Casasanta, Jaison Chand (Gomm/ Belgian Police), Austin Maisler (Conductor/ Bishop/ Count), Taya Ross (Mrs. Kendal/ Pin Head) and Jaye Templeton (Ross/ Lord John/ Will) – who all feel that the ephemeral nature of live theater is a big part of what makes it so special. 

“Every show is going to be ever so slightly different because it’s not like film where you can take different takes,” Templeton told the Outpost. “The audience is  experiencing the story right as it’s happening.” 

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As I promised at the beginning, this story is not a review of the play, so I will not go into detail about the storyline or the performances. If you would like to read reviews of The Elephant Man, you can do so here and here.

This is the closing weekend of The Elephant Man at Ferndale Repertory Theatre – 447 Main Street, Ferndale – and you still have two opportunities to see the show on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m and Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. You can purchase tickets at this link.

CORRECTION: This article previously contained a quote from Hilton saying that there is no wheelchair access to the theater. He contacted the Outpost to point out that he misspoke — there is wheelchair access to the theater, but not to the stage. The Outpost regrets the error.

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We don’t know why he continues to join the show — doesn’t he realize he’s palling around with a bunch of treehugger dirt worshipers? — but Congressman Jared Huffman joins the EcoNews again for more discussion on what’s going on in Washington D.C. Who does he want to replace Feinstein? What’s it like to work with George Santos? How is D.C. going to help fund offshore wind infrastructure improvements? (For the answers, you have to listen.)

Bonus: Watch Rep. Huffman’s own state of the union address!

David Gene Lewiston
August 16, 1950 - February 14, 2023

Dave grew up on an Iowa farm, with his big sister Sandy, and his little sister Sue, his mom, June, and his dad, Vaughn. He graduated from Waverly High school in 1968 and moved to Orange County, California where he studied refrigeration at Orange County Junior College. He joined the army soon after and was stationed in Colorado. He lived in Colorado after the Army and later joined a hippie commune in Iowa referred to as “the Ponderosa,” where he practiced guitar and enjoyed a life of leisure for a time.

In the late 1970s he returned to Orange County, where he worked construction and various other jobs before moving to Humboldt County, where he worked on a dairy farm. He worked for a while with his brother-in-law Gary, owner of Northcoast Construction. One memorable summer was spent growing weed and building a cabin in Redwood Valley around 1983.

Dave earned his general contractor license and started his company Lewiston Construction, which earned a solid reputation for high-end craftsmanship. He brought his sons Casey and Troy into the trade and taught them about the family business, building numerous relationships throughout the community in the process. Dave was very proud of his company, and he was a first rate carpenter and builder. He retired from construction around 2009.

Dave met Sheila Daggs in 1982 and they were together until his passing. He was a proud father to his sons Casey & Troy and his daughter Tammy. He enjoyed camping with his kids and teaching them the family construction business.

Dave had many friends around the county, and people were drawn to his irreverent wit and good nature. Dave loved animals and had several cats and dogs throughout his life. He enjoyed fishing in the bay and ocean locally and would take his boat out often. He liked to ride his Harley on the local highways amongst the redwoods and had more than a couple bikes throughout the years.

Dave was a talented and accomplished guitar player, singer and songwriter, having taught himself when he was very young. His voice was reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and he played the strings like Eric Clapton. He was a part of many local bands, including Puffin, Fire and Ice, the Checkered Demons, and the Greg Allen Band. His band won the battle of the bands in the mid-‘80s and he received an award for “outstanding guitar player.” Dave recently gave a guitar to his granddaughter Ellie, who is already carrying on his legacy, and practicing with the help of her parents. Dave was the best guitar player many have ever heard, including myself. A truly talented soul.

Dave had a special place in his heart for his friend Lori who helped him out in recent years, and his younger sister Sue who was there for him at all times, and who did her best to include Dave in family gatherings. Dave had two cats who drove him crazy but kept him company throughout these final years. He was very fond of Rocket and Mescalito, his furry friends.

He is preceded by his parents, Vaughn and June Lewiston. He is survived by his partner Sheila, his sisters Sue and Sandy, his children Casey (Marylynn), Troy and Tammy (Daggs-Rees), granddaughter Elena Lewiston, grandson Hayden Rees, and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.

“No wasted time, we’re alive today
Churning up the past, there’s no easier way
Time’s been between us, a means to an end
God it’s good to be here walking together my friend” — SRV

Rest in peace Dave, until we meet again. Your family.

Link to a website with some of Dave’s music with “The Checkered Demons.”

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Dave Lewiston’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Dessa Marcella Hanes. Born Dessa Marcella Bigham in Brownwood, Texas on August 19, 1940, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by family in her home in Eureka in the late hours of February 7, 2023, after a short but difficult battle with lung cancer.

Dessa was the seventh out of 13 children. She and her siblings grew up picking cotton with their father. When she was a teenager, she moved to California, eventually settling in Crescent City, where she met the love of her life, Bennie Frank Hanes Sr. They were married in 1958, had four children, moved to Eureka, and were together for 33 years before Bennie’s death in 1991. Dessa worked at Bank of America, first as a teller then all the way up to money counter in the vault, until she retired after working there for just over 30 years.

Dessa loved camping with her kids when they were younger. She had fun getting to visit Texas when she could, especially when accompanied with her daughter Mitzi, where they made stops at the Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert. Her favorite music was country music, she had a picture of a young George Straight hanging on her wall, and she loved going to concerts with her daughter Sandy. She spent her free time working on puzzles, reading romance novels, and cooking. She enjoyed all types of crime shows, lifetime movies, and never missed an episode of Dancing with the Stars. She looked forward to speaking with her daughter Mary about the shows they were watching. These last few years, the most important thing to her was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by parents: Pervy Victoria Sr. and Delia Bigham; her older brother: Pervy Victoria Bigham Jr.; her sisters: Eva Hennassee, Shirley Baker, Margaret Wells, and Mary Snead; her husband: Bennie Hanes Sr.; her son: Bennie Hanes Jr.; and her grandsons: Scott Mitchell and Kristopher Mitchell.

Dessa is survived by her brothers: Tommy, Kenneth, Jess, Jerry, and Bill Bigham; her sisters: Katie Horton and Victoria Massey; her daughters: Mitzi Hanes, Mary Hanes, and Sandy Powel; her son in law of 41 years: Donny Powell; her grandchildren: Curtis Daniels, Nicole Powell, William Lipscomb, Amanda Lipscomb, Georgia Gladitz, Delia Hanes, Cameron Powell, Stetson Powell, Amanda Bingham, Wendy Hicks, Kali Powell, Dawson Morin, and Lily Smith; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was born March 20, 1923, in Rawlins, Wyoming, the daughter of Alma Strandberg McClurg and Ralph McClurg. Along with her mother, she moved to Humboldt County in 1926, eventually living with her mother and step-father on the Matthiesen dairy ranch in Carlotta (now known as the Bess ranch). Upon graduation from Fortuna High School in 1941, she attended Humboldt State College and was later a graduate of Eureka Business College. Prior to her marriage to Jimmie Thomsen in 1944, one of her jobs was waitressing at the Mowatoc Hotel (now known as the Scotia Inn). Following their marriage, Shirley and Jimmie lived and worked on the Thomsen dairy located on Copenhagen Road, Loleta (home of the once proudly standing round barn), until selling out during the December flood in 1964.

Shirley will be remembered for her well maintained flower gardens on Home Avenue, Fortuna, along with her excellent baking skills; her pies, cakes and cookies will be greatly missed. She was an avid San Francisco Giants and 49er’s fan. When the games were on she could not be interrupted and s he was like an encyclopedia on the game and its players.

Shirley and Jimmie liked to travel, making trips to Denmark, Canada and Hawaii. Together they also liked to dance to Scandinavian music, the yearly mid-summer Scandinavian Festival being one of their favorite events. Picnicking at Runeberg Park, Carlotta or traveling out to Petrolia to visit friends was a regular Sunday event during the summer months.

Shirley was a member of Fortuna United Methodist Church and several Scandinavian lodges, both Danish and Swedish.

Shirley is survived by her three sons: Duane Thomsen (Jackie), Melvin Thomsen (Sharon), and Erik Thomsen (Judi); and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years James S. Thomsen in May 1999, her mother Alma Strandberg Matthiesen, step-father Jake Matthiesen, and father Ralph McClurg.

Private inurnment will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Eureka.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Humboldt or Fortuna United Methodist Church.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Shirley Thomsen’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

HUMBOLDT TODAY: A body is found near downtown Redway, Del Norte County is addressing its own housing and homelessness problems, plus the weekend’s events, weather and our daily poll asks you to tell us about your drag show attendance history. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.

FURTHER READING: 

• ‘Kings, Queens and Things’: Drag Shows are Taking Off in Humboldt, Including One Up-and-Coming Show at an Unexpected Venue
• Man Wanted on Multiple Warrants Arrested on Woodley Island Following a Traffic Stop; Meth, Fentanyl Found, Sheriff’s Office Says
• Battery Point Apartments Nets $7.5 Million From the State
• Curry County Grand Jury Finds Brookings PD Officers Justified In Dec. 10 Shooting of Grants Pass Man
• County Supervisors Unanimously Declare Shelter Crisis in Del Norte, Four Endorse Pallet Home Plan to Solve Homelessness

HUMBOLDT TODAY can be viewed on LoCO’s homepage each night starting at 6 p.m. Want to LISTEN to HUMBOLDT TODAY? Subscribe to the podcast version here.

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PREVIOUSLY: In Coast Central Credit Union’s First Competitive Board Election in Nine Years, a Slate of New Candidates Aims to Boost Member Involvement

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When a slate of new candidates launched a campaign for Coast Central Credit Union’s board of directors, they said they wanted to unseat a pair of incumbents and increase member involvement. They achieved one of those goals.

The credit union’s annual membership meeting was held last night, and attendees tell the Outpost that there were 60 to 70 members present, far more than have attended the meetings in recent years. One reader emailed to say, “It got reeeaaaal spicy lmao.”

So, increased member involvement? Check. (The Outpost is trying to get more information about the spiciness.)

Unfortunately for the “Members’ Voice” candidates, though, both incumbents — Eureka attorney Kelly Walsh and board Treasurer John Gladding — were re-elected to three-year terms, starting in March. 

The third incumbent, Robin Bailie, opted not to pursue re-election.

Who got her seat? That would be Rees Hughes, a former administrator at Humboldt State University, author of local hiking guides and one-third of the “Members’ Voice” slate. He, too, will serve a three-year term that commences with next month’s regular board meeting.

The credit union’s 76,000-odd members submitted their votes last month, and the results were announced at last night’s meeting.

Interviewed in December Walsh said, “Experience matters,” and he argued that the relative dearth of competition for seats on the board over the last decade was a sign of member satisfaction, reflecting Coast Central’s “good board policies and very good management and staff.”

This was the first contested election for the organization’s board of directors in nine years.