‘D.K. Molar the Devious Dentist’ opens March 5 at Star Theater

by Philip A. Janquart

 The Illustrious Onion Skin Players are back on stage in 2022, the group’s melodrama, “D.K. Molar the Devious Dentist or … There’s Gold in Them Thar Teeth” is scheduled to open Saturday, March 5 at the historic Star Theater, located at 322 State St. in downtown Weiser.

 Founded in 1985 by Ruth and Wilson Creek, the Onion Skin Players is a local nonprofit melodrama group featuring wholesome entertainment for the whole family.

 “It is all set in a dental office and the villain and villainess are stealing gold crowns from patients,” said Onion Skin Player vice president, Lisa Meyer, who plays the villainess in the melodrama. “We are just having a lot of fun; the good guys are trying to capture the bad guys and we just have some great characters.”

 This year’s play involves a representation of classic villainous characters and their divergent heroes and heroines common in the early days of film.

 Based on a dress rehearsal held Saturday, Feb. 19, the play is light, entertaining, humorous, and engages the audience by prompting “boos and hisses” and “hip hip hoorays.”

 Set in early 20th century America, D.K. Molar, played by Tom Hathaway of Ontario, and his assistant, Nova Caine, played by Lisa Meyer of Ontario, team up to steal gold fillings from their unsuspecting patients who are anesthetized with nitrous oxide during the procedure.

 The dastardly duo successfully procure enough crowns to begin melting them down into gold bars – that is, until they hire a beautiful young receptionist, Flossy Dailey, played by Kaitlyn Higgins of Weiser, who, with Dr. Phil DeTooth, Lance Marcus of Weiser, catch on to their crime.

 The hilarious climax of this simple-to-stage production involves escaped laughing gas!

 D.K. Molar and the Devious Dentist was the first of 50 plays written by the late Billy St. John who was an actor, director, teacher, and playwright. D.K. Molar the Devious Dentist is produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc. of Englewood, Colo.

 The play opens in Weiser March 5, with subsequent performances March 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, and 19. Doors open at 7 p.m. Sunday matinees are March 6 and 7. Doors open at 2 p.m. Advanced tickets are $12 each or $10 for matinees. The cost is $14 and $12 at the door.

 Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.illustriousonionskinplayers.org.

2022 Illustrious Onionskin Players

 Directors: Play – Pam Lakey, Patsy Jo McMichaels. Olio – Debby Enright, Joni Ball.

 Play cast – Tom Hathaway, Lisa Meyer, Lance Marcus, Katie Higgins, Candy Snyder, C.J. Higgins, Bobby Post, Debby Enright, and Patsy Jo McMichaels.

 Olio cast – Kim Cox, Brianne Garner, Keri Erickson, Vern Ball, Joni Ball, Bobby Post, Moe Adams, and Michelle Marcus.

 Light and sound – Mark Doramus, Steve Shaw, Jacob Tyner, Lisa Lambert, Tom Culley, and Ian Culley.