New year begins at Community Theatre

Ah, September.

In many ways, September is the beginning of our year – classes begin, football season kicks off, there are new series to watch on television. September always brings with it the anticipation of beginning afresh, a clearing of the scoreboard, the energy and determination to tackle something new.

So it goes with community theatre. Our season follows the school year (with summer school for the kids), and rehearsals have begun for the first of our 2011-12 season productions – “The Foreigner” by Larry Shue. Director Linda Garski played the role of Betty Meeks when WRCT first produced this show in 1992. It was a sell-out production then, and we are anticipating the same kind of reception this time around.  

Shue also wrote “The Nerd,” a production we did in our last year at McMillan Library.

“The Foreigner” is just one of the four fabulous main season shows WRCT has to offer this year.  Three of the four are comedies, and the drama is a 2001 Pulitzer prize winner. We’re not messing around this year – we want you to come to the theatre. And we want you to introduce someone else to community theater, too.

Do you know someone who thinks we go around referring to it as “thee-ah-tah” with our noses and pinkies in the air? Bring them to “The Foreigner” and “Packer Fans from Outer Space.” Written and originally produced by American Folklore Theatre in Door County, “Packer Fans from Outer Space” is nostalgic fun at its very best, and a treat for the whole family. Chuck Buchs-Hammonds leads the frivolity, with Sue Popelka as Musical Director.

For those who want something more contemporary, “Proof” is a psychological voyage into genius, madness, love and freedom – exploring how heredity both shapes us and sets us free. Steve Martin will direct this multiple award-winning play.

We finish the season with “Madwoman of Chaillot”, directed by Al Ross. Though written in the 1920s, the plot seems as though it was taken from today’s headlines – stock market manipulation, oil drilling and shady business deals abound in Paris. And long before church basement ladies and the Nunsense sisters came along, the madwomen of Chaillot set out to save the world in an afternoon with their wacky brand of common sense. This show is a sparkler, no question about it.

All of the fun starts in October.

So what can you do about it September? Get those season ticket requests in – don’t wait. Season ticket forms are available at the WRCT office, and you can get the season ticket price by reserving two or more of the main season shows. And don’t worry if you change your mind about dates – if your plans change, you can exchange your tickets without a problem – or a fee. So grab a friend, or two or 10. There’s something for everyone this season at WRCT.