By Charlene Dean

Desert icon Marta Becket will give her final stage performance at 2 p.m. Sunday. If you haven’t gotten tickets, it’s too late. Director Rich Regnell said, “When the story you (PVT) did came out, the phone started ringing and didn’t stop for three solid hours. We’re more than sold out.” Regnell said he is adding additional seating to accommodate 200 ticket holders.
The doors will open at 1:15 p.m., 30-minutes earlier than normal, to allow everyone to get settled.
Regnell said Becket is ready for this final show but is “glad she won’t have to be perfect anymore.” Becket is working on fundraising through the nonprofit organization to restore not only the interior of the opera house, but to fund needed maintenance on other outbuildings and contract some restoration work.
The show will be followed by a reception and retirement “meet and greet” for Becket and her fans. Regnell said he has guests coming from as far away as Sweden to attend the soirée. Becket will be available to sign autographs as well.
During the event, a silent auction is planned. Items up for bid will be on display in the hotel lobby and in the dining room. Regnell said items include Becket’s autobiography, “To Dance on Sands,” and Amargosa Opera House DVDs. There will also be accommodation packages. Becket will donate some of her personal memorabilia as well.
After the reception, Becket will have time to rest while guests gather for a fundraiser dinner. Regnell said the dress code will be dressy but not formal. Tables in the hotel dining room will be set with linens, china and silver place settings.
Reservations for dinner are necessary. The first seating will be at 5 p.m. and if necessary, a second seating will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Guests are welcome to bring their own cocktails or have a glass of wine by donation. The menu is a choice of chicken cordon bleu, beef wellington or steak and lobster. The entrees are $17.95, $24.95 and $29.95 respectively. Dinner includes soup, salad, twice-baked potatoes, and fresh steamed asparagus with hollandaise. Dessert will be available.
The hotel is booked solid for Sunday night. Call 760-852-4441 for reservations and additional information.