George Power, our friend, mentor, stage builder, set designer, and all-around backstage handyman extraordinaire, died in Portland on Tuesday, October 25. Although most of his volunteer work at the playhouse was done behind the scenes, long-time peninsula theater-goers will undoubtedly remember George’s roles as Teddy Brewster in “Arsenic and Old Lace,” Chief Sitting Bull in “Annie Get Your Gun,” and most recently, as the Inmate shooting rubber arrows in “The Pink Panther Strikes Again.”
George loved creating sound effects “by hand” and once described his work as “an opportunity for an old-school foley to have a good old time.” He punctuated his statement with his characteristic loud, resounding laugh. “I enjoy having the audience wonder how I manage to come up with all those strange noises,” he continued. “And I like to keep them wondering.” Once again, he laughed heartily. Only for “The Man with Bogart’s Face,” in September, 2010, did “the foleys” create their sound effects in full view of the audience.
Past and present Peninsula Players will continue to tell the stories that celebrate George’s life with genuine fondness for many years to come. He was one of the truly good guys, and we’ll miss his amazing can-do attitude.
Rest in peace, dear friend.
