ON STAGE

“Gee, I have schedule conflicts, but definitely call me next
year” gets followed many months later by “Why do you keep bothering
me every year?” And how about these – “It’s too early to even think
about it; check back with me later.” “Ask me earlier next year; I’m
already booked.” “I’m a definite yes when I’m no longer in a public
job.” That last one has been followed – several times – by …
nothing. No one answers the calls or emails.
Of course, I’m talking about my annual recruiting efforts for
the Mr. Healdsburg Pageant, which is just around the corner, on
February 27. Many local men work very hard to avoid us from October
through January every year, because although we’ve decided they’ve
got the right personality to join the pageant, they aren’t nearly
as certain of it.
Fortunately, my co-producer Marva and I eventually got more than
enough “Yes” responses to offer a strong lineup of contenders for
the 2010 title (thanks to an assist from Mr. Healdsburg 2008,
Michael Kennedy). And for the first time ever, all eight guys are
enthusiastic about the show and realize that competing in the Mr.
Healdsburg Pageant is going to be a total blast. That makes
producing the show a lot more fun for Marva and me, and it means
the audience is going to have a great time too – excitement breeds
excitement, after all.
I usually prefer a wide range of ages and businesses among the
contestants, but I’ll wait another year for that. More than half of
the guys work in a wine-related field. And this year we have more
young contestants, with the oldest only 51. (Since Marva and I are
older than that, it still seems young to us.)
Several contestants, including all the 20-somethings, grew up in
Healdsburg. One just launched a business here. A couple of them are
new to the area but fell in love with the town and see the pageant
as a way to get fully embedded in the community. A few of them are
well known throughout the area, and one has been making headlines
well beyond Sonoma County.
Recruiting judges is a whole lot easier than finding
contestants. As with the guys, Marva and I look for diversity and
commitment to Healdsburg. Since being a judge is the best job ever,
we usually get the ladies we go after. This year we’ve selected two
shop owners, Sue Sacks (Options) and Natalie Tappin (The Dog
House), actress/singer/pianist Arlene Dalton, grape grower Barbara
Grasseschi, and Camelia Inn’s Lucy Lewand. Each year, you never
know what the unique lineup of judges are looking for, and whether
the contestants are better off playing up humor, charm, or talent,
with or without double entendres. And to add to the challenge, the
judges don’t have ALL the power; the audience gets to vote too.
Although we love the party vibe of the Pageant, we’ve discovered
that some folks in the audience forget that this is an important
fundraiser for the Raven. Last year so many people tried to smuggle
in their own wine that we’ve opted for a bag-check at the door this
time. The good news is, whatever they won’t be bringing into the
theater likely won’t be as good as what our loyal sponsors,
Mazzocco Winery and Wilson Winery, will have to offer up. As a
bonus, the Bear is stocking the Raven’s bar with some of its most
popular beers.
Ok, by now you just want to know who the guys are. So here’s the
lineup of contestants:
Dan Minaglia, age 22, Mr. Can’t Touch This
Derric Montanye, 24, Mr. Goodtime
Hardy Wallace, 36, Mr. Tweet Lips
“Goofy” John Gavello, 51, Mr. Goofy
Kevin Roach, 23, Mr. Renaissance
Michael Baker, 40, Mr. Big Stuff
Mike Bairdsmith, 35, Mr. Right Now
Sean Sentenn, 36, Mr. Ooo … Shiny
Carol (Kiki) Noack, Marketing,
Raven Performing Arts Theater.