History Alive: The Lemon Grove Players and 'The Drunkard'

Lemon Grove in the late 1970s featured a brand-new city, a revamped school district, a fledgling historical society, and a new theatrical troupe with big dreams. The Lemon Grove Players, spearheaded by such talents as Dorothy Dubois, Dr. Robert Burns, Robert and Donna Adams, Victoria and Michael Dietrich, Estelle Lauer, pianist Anona Bolieu and a platoon of volunteers, presented everything from melodrama to Molière in local school auditoriums for five years.

Far from being a band of hams eager to make good, these serious thespians knew they needed professional direction. Enter Lemon Grovians Anne-Charlotte and Michael Harvey, the adroit and witty duo then anchoring the SDSU Theater Department, a school they would help to lead for the next 30 years.The Harveys brought broad understanding of period drama from Shakespeare to Strindberg to the riotously funny melodramas that entertained Americans from the 19th century to present time.

"The Drunkard," a hilarious American classic directed by Michael, played to packed houses.  "The Fireman's Flame" was a local in-joke, according to Anne-Charlotte, "because Lemon Grove fire chief Robert Adams and his wife, Donna, were involved in the production."  "Dirty Work at the Crossroads," another 19th century melodrama, wowed audiences, while Molière's "A Flea in Her Ear" won the troupe Best Costumes from the area critics' circle.

The Harveys will recall the posters, programs, tickets, lobby refreshments, sets, props and costumes all made by volunteers, and the cooperation of the Lemon Grove School District in those heady days when everything old was brand-new again. Anona Bolieu will be back to play excerpts from "The Drunkard."

"History Alive" will be presented at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive Street. The program is free and suitable for ages 13 and over. Refreshments will follow the presentation.

For more Information, call 619-460-4353.