Foul Works at the Fireworks Factory, Blanding celebrates 42 years of 4th of July melodramas

By Kara Laws
Contributing writer
Independence Day is just around the corner and Blanding hosts an outstanding celebration.
In addition to the traditional activities like a parade, booths, and fireworks, the 4th of July celebration in Blanding has included a melodrama since 1983.
This year’s production, “Foul Works at the Fireworks Factory,” features our heroine, Sunny Dey (played by Anita Legler) who is desperately in love with Fenton Finefellow (played by Paul Murdock).
But alas! She has a deep dark secret that she fears will drive her love away, leaving her in an inconsolable puddle of tears.
To make matters much worse, Sunny’s ex-fiance, Osgood Lissard (played by Steven Legler), is on a revenge seeking mission to ruin Sunny’s life.
With sultry sidekick, Natasha DeClasse (played by Kari Pugh), in tow Osgood is determined to destroy as many lives as possible.
Meanwhile, Fenton’s housekeeper, Wanda Weary (played by Alicia Bayles) throws an additional wrench in Sunny’s love torn heart by admitting her own long-standing love for Fenton Finefellow.
Join in the hilarity and chaos as Fenton Finefellow and rocket scientist Herr Doktor Professor Ness (played by James Laws) attempt to thwart the villains and release their greatest firework ever – the Fenton Finefellow Fine and Fancy Firework Factory Fiery Flier.
If you are new to dramatic theatre, a melodrama is a fun, interactive, and intentionally cheesy production.
Let your inner kid free as you loudly “boo” the villain, cheer the hero, and throw popcorn at anyone who deserves it.
With a run time of about an hour and a half, it is the perfect event for your families and kids of all ages.
You have plenty of chances to catch the show as Blanding doesn’t just celebrate Independence DAY, we celebrate an Independence Week. The melodrama starts and ends the celebrations each year.
This year’s melodrama, directed by Debbie Knight, will run from July 1 to 5 at 7 pm. It will be performed on the outdoor stage at the Arts and Events Center in Blanding.
Over the last 43 years, the Edge of Seaters melodrama has become one of the most anticipated activities of the Independence Day celebrations.
What started as a small play with one night showing has turned into an annual family highlight for many celebrating the 4th of July in San Juan County.
Instead of a one night showing, the annual melodrama shows for up to five nights and is typically packed each and every evening.
The melodrama this year is sure to delight with a fun cast, numerous tongue twisters, love triangles, cheesy jokes, and an all around good time for everyone.
The full cast includes Anita Legler, Steven Legler, Kari Pugh, Paul Murdock, Alicia Bayles, James Laws, and Sammie Huges.
You don’t want to miss it!