Cornishmen at the bottom of it

The Cousin Jacks and Jennies of Colorado

04/17/2008 - The Peak to Peak Chorale will present their annual musical dinner theatre on Mother’s Day weekend in the upstairs theatre of Doc Holliday’s in Central City. This year’s performance presents with drama and music the story of the sturdy “Cornish cousins” who brought their hard-rock mining skills and colorful culture to the Colorado’s mining country. It seemed every mine owner who needed to expand his workforce could count on his workers to have a “Cousin Jack” who would be happy to apply, bringing a “Cousin Jennie” along to keep hearth and home. Their wrestling contests, choirs and brass bands, fervent Methodism, and miner superstitions of tommyknockers and the like enriched our Rocky Mountain cultures. 

  Our Cornish cousins story, written by Cora Jean Leenheer, will be beautifully enhanced with a full evening of choral music chosen by Peak to Peak Chorale director Ann Wyss and expertly accompanied by pianist Midge Norville. The Chorale includes musicians from Gilpin, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Boulder, and even Denver counties; they have been singing together since 1992, presenting annual Christmas concerts and spring dinner theatre/musicals. The program for this performance includes folk hymns and tunes from several cultures, a piece by Handel, modern compositions, and the Cornish anthem Trelawny—music to please a wide variety of tastes. The Chorale is honored to have Dr. Jane Wyss, professor of vocal and choral music at West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania, as guest soloist this year. Piccolo player and flautists Patty Unruh and Ann Wyss will join with the Chorale as well.

  There will be two performances, on Friday and Saturday evenings, May 9 and 10. The buffet dinners are being prepared by Tommyknocker Brewery and Pub; Friday evening will be a BBQ dinner and Saturday evening will be a Mexican meal. Tickets are available from any Peak to Peak Chorale member or by calling Don Herod at 303-582-5583. An adult ticket is $25 ($10 tax-deductible donation), which includes dinner and the performance; children 12 and under are admitted for $12.50. As a special offer for Mother’s Day, the ticket price for moms is only $20 ($5 tax-deductible)—all are encouraged to treat the special mothers in their lives to this enjoyable evening which so creatively blends music, local talent, and Colorado history. Advance reservations are required; purchase tickets from Peak to Peak Chorale members or Don or Joyce Herod as soon as possible.

  Doc Holliday’s is located at 131 Main Street in Central City; entrance there is through the casino and is handicapped accessible. There is also a Doc Holliday’s entrance from the rear on Pine Street, which leads directly to the upstairs theatre, but requires the use of stairs. The dinner starts at 7:00 PM; a cash bar will open at 6:30 pm. Check out www.peaktopeakchorale.com for more information.