‘Red Ryder’ brings drama to stage

By Peggy Ussery

Published: July 4, 2008

It’s a Sunday morning in 1969. Stephen “Red” Ryder is just coming off his night shift as a cook at a diner in New Mexico. As he hands over the kitchen reins to co-worker, Angel, the morning customers stream in and create the stage for a drama to unfold.

That’s the background in a nutshell for The Featured Players Theatre’s upcoming production “When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder?” by Mark Medoff. The production marks several anniversaries for the theater and its founder and artistic director, Michael Prichard.

First it’s been five years since Prichard first directed, and it was this particular play. Also, it’s been three years since the funky downtown theater opened its doors.

The play opens July 11.

Prichard said the play is a sentimental favorite, and the audience should enjoy the drama.

“They should expect excitement but also a psychological melodrama,” Prichard said.

The psychological part stems from the character Teddy, played by Featured Players alum Will Brewer. Teddy’s not a good guy. As a matter of fact, as soon as he enters the picture, he starts looking for trouble. As the audience will learn, Teddy has a secret.

Brewer describes the character as “evil,” but admits that’s what makes him fun to portray. Brewer said he turned to his favorite bad guys for inspiration — Tuco and Angel Eyes from “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”

“It’s really a one-eighty from who I am in real life,” Brewer said. “I get to be like the guys who used to pick on me.”

Prichard said he hopes audience members will come out like they did for the theater’s last production, “Moonlight and Magnolias” — a success by Prichard’s estimation that put the theater where it needs to be to stay open.

“It takes a while to build up a following and a fan base,” he said.

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If you go ...
What? “When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder?” by Mark Medoff.
Where? The Featured Players Theatre, 158 S. Foster St., downtown Dothan.
When? Fridays and Saturdays, July 11-12, July 18-19, July 25-26 and Aug. 1-2.
Cost? Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for children.
What else? Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. For reservations, call (334) 673-1243 or e-mail . Dinner catered by McAlister’s Deli; arrive by 6:15 p.m. to order or place order when you buy tickets on-line at http://www.freewebs.com/featuredplayers.