Melodrama
Performing nightly at the Platte Pavilion at 7:30 PM

The Melodrama “An  Orphan Betrayed” will be Performed Nightly at the Fair!

Fair Based Productions will begin its 24th year of producing Family Friendly entertainment when it returns to the 2011 Platte County Fair with the production of Bill Hayden’s An Orphan…BETRAYED! or “Trapped in the Web”.  Since its birth at the Fair 23 years ago, F.B.P. has produced 110 shows, been recognized by the Missouri House of Representatives, the cities of Parkville and Platte City, and the Arts Council Co-Operative, for excellence in production.  FBP has also toured to St. Joseph , Riverside , Parkville, Platte City , Smithville and Faucett in Missouri , and Leavenworth and Hiawatha , KS , but has returned annually to the Platte County Fair.  

This year’s Old West Production, typical of all Melodramas, encourages the audience to boo the villain, cheer the hero, and always feel pity for the poor, betrayed, heroine. 

“An Orphan…Betrayed” tells the story of Ada Somerset and her daughter, Carolyn, who have hired an orphan girl, Mary Morrison, to serve as a maid.  Actually, they plan to trick Mary Morrison into assuming the role of Carolyn's recently departed cousin who was "lost" at sea.   Ada controls a fortune, which she will lose if the girl's death is discovered.  However, Ada plans not only to pass off Mary as the missing heiress, but to have her committed as insane, so she and Carolyn will control the money forever!  Will our Hero, Alan Regent, assistant manager of the hotel (AND, a psychology student), see through the fraud and rescue Mary?  OR will Ada succeed in her devious plan?

Directed by Howard A. Prost (2011 Fair Board President), “Orphan” will be performed at the fair nightly at 7:30 in the Pavilion on the fairgrounds.

FBP is proud to present family-friendly entertainment - for children from 2 to 92!

Platte County Fair Days Amateur Talent Contest

 For the 17th year, Fair patrons will again be able to enjoy the talents of area performers or show their talents during the Fair Days Talent Contest.

 Prize Money
Awarded to overall contest winners
1^st Place - $75.00
2^nd Place - $50.00
3^rd Place - $25.00
Plus Ribbons!
Ribbons shall be awarded to the top five performers in each category.

Adult Division Talent Contest Rules

1)       Contestants

a)       All entrants in the adult division must be 16 years or older

b)         All entrants should arrive at the Platte Pavilion by no later than 8:00 P.M. to register, verify pre-registration, and to discuss staging  requirements.

2)       Categories of competition

a)       Vocal Music

b)       Instrumental Music

c)       Movement and Dance

d)       Interpretive Reading

3)       Performers will be limited to a maximum of eight minutes per presentation.

4)       No entry fee will be charged to perform in the talent contest; Fair Grounds admission shall be refunded, after performance.

5)       Payment of any fees for rights of performance or royalties is exclusively the responsibility of the performer; verification of such payment should be available.

6)       Accompanists and instrumentation

a)       Vocal and dance contestants must provide  their own accompaniment / instruments, except that an electronic keyboard will be available for use.

b)       Use of pre-recorded tapes and/or compact discs

i)         Vocal and Dance contestants may use accompaniment on tape or CD; both cassette tape deck and CD player will be available through the house sound  system, stage monitors will be provided.

ii)       Vocal entrants may have background vocals on tapes/CD’s, but any entrant using material that contains lead vocal  tracts will be disqualified. 

7)       Costumes are NOT required for competition, though they may be worn.  All costumes should be tastefully chosen and appropriate to the selection performed.

8)       Selections

a)       Interpretive readings should be from literature of good quality, and the script must be available for viewing by the judges or other Fair official upon request.  Selections may come from poetry, prose, or drama, should be in good taste and have a brief introduction telling the title and author.  Performances may be memorized or from a script.

b)       Music selections can be of any style (country, rock, jazz, etc.), should be in good taste and given an introduction that gives the title and composer.

c)       Movement/Dance numbers should reflect good taste, and suit the abilities of the performer.  Selection should be given a brief introduction, which provides the style of dance and title of the music.

9)       Judging

a)       At least three judges will be used at all times, maintaining an odd number at all times.

b)       Contestants will be judged according to Selection, Stage presence, Performance ability, Creativity, and Delivery.  

10)    Registration

a)       Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged, as only the first 15 entries will be accepted (due to time constraints).

b)       Contestants may pre-register by sending entry forms to;
 Howard  A. Prost, 301 N. Shore Drive, Lake Waukomis, MO 64151