Marta Becket-The Amaragosa Opera House-Death Valley Junction, CA

Why would anyone in their right mind actually plan a trip to Death Valley Junction, CA? There is not a gas station, a supermarket, a bus stop, or a restaurant in sight. It is blazing hot during the summer and chilly-cold during the winter. Yet, people from literally all over the world travel to Death Valley Junction to see Marta Becket perform at the Amargosa Opera House.

Marta Becket was born in New York City in 1925. Even as a child, she knew that she wanted to dance. She loved the theater, going frequently with her parents when she was young. Becket studied not only dance, but art and piano as well. As an adult, she supported herself and her mother by dancing, modeling, and doing freelance artwork. She danced at Radio City Music Hall in the corps de ballet and won small parts on Broadway. But, Becket wanted something else, something more. She wanted to take control of all aspects of her dancing, including choreography, costume design, and stage design.

So she did.
Marta Becket went on the road with a one-woman show. Becket and her then-husband Tom Williams were on a camping trip in Death Valley in 1967. When they got a flat tire at Death Valley Junction, Becket fell in love with the dilapidated adobe buildings there, particularly the theater. Becket had found a home for her and her shows. The fact that she and her theater were out in the middle of nowhere did not daunt her. She would dance regardless of whether people came to see her or not.

And, so she did.

Since Becket sometimes performed just for herself, particularly during the early years, she decided to paint all her guests on the walls and the ceilings so that she would always have an audience. This audience, however, came from the 16th century. Now, there are nuns and monks, courtesans and gypsies, and children and a dancer gracing the walls of the Opera House. American Indians perform for the delight of the King and Queen. On the ceiling, Becket painted the four winds, cherubs, and lady musicians playing period musical instruments. If Becket had to, she would perform solely for the enjoyment of these people from her imagination.

And, so she did.

But people came to her shows, more and more as her reputation grew. I had the privilege of seeing Marta Becket perform several years ago on a cold November night. The small theater was warmed by a pot-bellied stove. Her partner of many years, Tom Willet, wearing his trademark black velvet suit and a glittery gold hat, sold us tickets. The seating was not fancy; in fact, it was relatively uncomfortable. Willet emceed the event and was the straight-man throughout the show. The performance was not necessarily impressive because of the content, which was rather schmaltzy. Neither Becket nor Willet was a virtuoso at what they were doing. But, Marta Becket and Tom Willet were so obviously dedicated to performing that the show became poignant. Additionally, Becket was doing what she wanted to do the way that she wanted to do it long after her contemporaries had put up their dancing shoes. When Becket went up on her toes during a ballet scene, tears actually came to my eyes. This is what brings people to see her. Watching a performance at the Amargosa Opera House is well worth the money as well as any inconveniences incurred with traveling to an "out-of-the-way" place.

This year has been a particularly difficult one for Marta Becket. Highway 190, where the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel is located, was washed out during this winter's storms. And her beloved friend and helper, Tom Willet died last month. Wilget, as he was known, died on April 15, 2005 after experiencing a stroke.

Marta Becket had slowed down over the last few years. Her routines are not as physically demanding has they have been in the years past. Wilget's death last month was unexpected and stunned her; however she has bills to pay. She plans to try to adjust the show and complete this season by herself. She also hopes to open a new show in 2008, at the age of 83.

And, so she will.

Marta Becket's Amargosa Opera House and Hotel
http://www.amargosa-opera-hourse.com

Thomas "Wilget" Willet
http://www.wilget.com/

Marta Becket was also the subject of the Academy Award Finalist for Short Documentary film, "Amargosa, Story of Marta Becket."