Page 153 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023 LISBON EDITION

Follies. For decades after she owned Amargosa, els. A gaggle of monks go cross-eyed trying to
Marta performed three times a week, on point, keep their eyes off the ladies of the night
for a few spectators or to an empty house, until dressed in their Sunday best. Her singular en-
she fell at the age of 84. deavor to paint the walls of her opera house,
She was compelled to express her mission in as well as the dining room walls and each room
art, music, and dance. She performed mostly to of the motel, took four years to complete.
an empty theater. No audience? No Matter! She Nowadays, theatre-goers come from far and
would just paint her audience around the walls. wide to attend performances by local dancers
The culmination of her inspiration is an extraor- and musicians. The stage is always set. And in
dinary opera house covered floor to ceiling with the front row seat below the stage, a pink
what Marta describes as "a world of illusion". dress tied with ribbons is forever reserved for
The King and Queen of Spain in Renaissance Marta.
garb occupy the back wall. Native Americans in
colorful dress juggle up a storm. Cherubs play Amargosa Opera House and Hotel, 608
the harp on the ceiling. The most humorous Death valley Junction, Highway 127,
tableau depicts shocked nuns in religious habits Shoshone, CA 92328
looking down on prostitutes from nearby broth-

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