‘Pink Nectar Café – Wilderness, People and Dreams

Red Earth Theatre is excited to be back live and looking forward to kicking off the 2021-2022 season with the delayed production of Pink Nectar Café, adapted from James Bishop’s collection of short stories of the same name. Combination memoir, northern Arizona mystery guide, and serenade to the mysteries and beauty that surround us here in Northern Arizona, the stories come to life on stage.

This original production will have 3 performances only – September Wed 15, Thursday 16, and Friday 17 beginning at 7pm outdoors at the Patio de las Companas, Tlaquepaque.

Pink Nectar Café, takes us into the soul of ‘Jim Bishop’ as he digs into his connection to Sedona and surrounds, the wonders and mysteries in our land, history and simply as human beings in this world. As Jim remembers that it was his mother who sent him to Sedona he comes to terms with her death, discovering that sometimes we cannot know the answers and need to simply allow the stories speak to us and let the mystery be.

 Pink Nectar Café is adapted from James Bishop’s collection of short stories of the same name. Combination memoir, northern Arizona mystery guide, and serenade to the mysteries and beauty that surround us here in Northern Arizona, the stories come to life on stage. The stories include an encounter with the Navajo Chindi, the dying Verde River, the lady who blew the whistle on trustees selling artifacts at the Museum of Northern Arizona, the peregrine falcon that saved a wild piece of land and, of course, the mysterious Pink Nectar Cafe itself.  Everett Ruess, who vanished as a young man into the wilderness in Northern AZ, threads his way through each of the stories.

Directed by Kate Hawkes, an ensemble of 11 actors play multiple roles throughout the evening, with live Native American Flute music provided by Robert Jackson underscoring the performance. Performers include long time Red Earth favorites Terra Shelman, Joan Westmoreland, Mary Gladieux, Abby Heydorn and Michael Gallagher as Jim Bishop  and Lazor Lanson as Everett Ruess; with Craig Schneider and Steve Jenness. Also in their first appearances with Red Earth, Audrey Young, Alex Logan  and Buffalo Child as Grey Clouds. 

The 2015 original show was created by Red Earth Theatre with Jim Bishop by writers Kate Hawkes and Dev Ross. This 2021 production has been reimagined with writer/director Amy Waddell, recently returned to the Verde Valley, her childhood home, after 10 years living in France.

Jim Bishop who passed in April 2019, was a huge influence in the Verde Valley, and became one of Sedona’s extraordinary individuals.  Before retiring to Sedona, James Bishop Jr. was a contributing writer for President Carter’s administration, and a published author of several books.  An author and Sedona resident for 33 years, Jim was a journalist, environmental activist and champion of the arts.  Besides serving on the Board of Sedona Recycles and Red Earth Theatre, James served three periods as a Keep Sedona Beautiful Trustee and was a huge supporter of Garderns for Humanity.

Typically attired in denim and leather with a bit of turquoise jewelry, Jim was an accomplished guitarist.  Always witty and perceptive, Jim entertained many with his writings and poetry.  Jim often said he came to Sedona to reinvent himself, and that spread to the rest of the community.

The 70 minute Pink Nectar Café production opens with a live 20 minute music set by William Eaton and friends Their original music includes a song written by James Bishop Jr. and William Eaton entitled ‘Pink Nectar Café.

We are grateful to our sponsor Sovereign Laboratories, makers of Colostrum LD,  for their generous support of this production.  And thank The City of Sedona for a grant supporting 10 months of performances at Tlaquepaque  beginning with Pink Nectar Café.

Explore the ‘neighborhood’ with Red Earth Theatre lead by one of the iconic figures of our Valley in the company misfits and mystics, scientists and storytellers. Come and step itno a world of mystery and wonder September 15-17, under the stars in the beautiful arches of Tlaquepaque.