Masquers Gala to take a trip back to the ’80s
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 2 weeks AGO
Masquers Theater members perform at a past Gala, which had a pirate theme. This year’s theme is “’80s Prom Night,” and it takes place Aug. 29.
FILE PHOTO
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | August 24, 2026 3:00 AM
SOAP LAKE — Be ready to be transported to the age of Madonna, Ferris Bueller and New Coke at the Masquers Theater Gala Aug. 29.
The theme is ’80s Prom Night, and big hair and bright colors will fill the theater, according to an announcement from the troupe. Costumes are encouraged but not necessary. There is no charge to enter.
The event begins with a cocktail hour, followed by a program featuring live performances from the Masquers’ last season and some songs from the upcoming “Anastasia: The Musical,” according to Masquers Publicity Representative Darryl Pheasant. Food and drinks will be provided by Cloudview Kitchens.
Attendees will get a sneak preview of the Masquers’ 2026-27 season, which Pheasant said he’s excited about.
“This upcoming season, to me, is better than last season we had,” he said. “Overall, I think we have a, just a slightly. We really made good improvements to quality and variety (of our) shows I wish I could be in all of them.”
The Gala is partly a meeting for members, but it’s also a chance for newcomers to check out local community theater and see what sparks their interest.
“Community theater is about much more than what happens on stage,” Masquers Board President Marla Allsopp wrote in the announcement. “It takes audiences, volunteers, actors, directors, technicians, donors, sponsors and countless supporters to keep the curtain rising. The Gala is our chance to celebrate all of them – and to invite even more people to be part of what comes next.”
For some people, the Gala may be the first time they’ve been to the Masquers Theater, Pheasant said, but he hopes it won’t be the last.
“We constantly are bringing in new faces,” he said. “We want to be an opportunity for people to do something they love and not just have the same old faces get the parts every time. We understand the importance of having the theater for all people and not just for the special few. Everyone's special to us and everyone has talents out there that we want to (see) grow.
“And it's fun,” he added.
Masquers Gala
Aug. 29
5:30 p.m. cocktail hour, 6 p.m. show
322 Main Ave. E.
Soap Lake
www.masquers.com
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
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