The Curtain Rises on the 51st Annual Julian Melodrama
By Amber Ward

Julian Triangle Club Floozies are a Melodrama favorite! Photos by Brian Krame

And so begins the fifth decade of Julian Melodrama performances.

This year's play, "Temptation Defied" or "Infamy Behind the Curtain," is directed by Bobbi Green and written by former Julian resident, Lola Barbee.

The comedy is one of Julian's favorites, and has been brought back by popular demand. Loosely based on Julian history, a roving band of actors whose act stretches farther than the stage, play their roles in order to "fleece the folks of Julian."

As always, audience participation is encouraged as the handsome hero ("yeahhh") comes to the rescue just in time to foil the villain's evil plans ("booooo") and rescue the young heroine ("ahhhhh.")

And don't forget the "Floozies!" The Triangle Club chorus group will lead the community sing-a-long 15-minutes prior to the show, and will surprise audiences with outrageous costumes and antics.

"In the past these respectable, middle-aged, mostly Rubenesque-figured ladies have dressed as fairies, chickens, cats, bees, little kids, teenagers and in bathing costumes of the period," says Green.

The Villian taunts the Heroine in the Julian Melodrama.

The Julian Melodrama consists of all volunteers and all money raised goes toward giving scholarships to Julian seniors, supporting the Fourth of July Parade, bringing Santa Claus to town for the Children's Christmas Party, sponsoring the local youth organizations, and sports and educational opportunities.

The Julian Melodrama is a 90-minute show that takes place at the Julian Town Hall. Performances are at 7:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 1:15 p.m. Saturday and Sundays. The Melodrama will begin Oct. 6 and continue through the month. For more information, go to www.julianmelodrama.com.