It’s spring! No, really!
All the signs are here: robins pecking at my lawn, ponds of water in the corn fields, bunny cookies in the bakery, Easter baskets and candy on display, and bright summer clothing on sale.
I visited my friend Phyllis on County Road I, southeast of Clintonville, and along the way I saw a lady hanging Easter eggs on a small tree in her yard. Now, that’s a sure sign!
When it’s springtime, it’s time to kick off the theater season at the Mielke Arts Center. “The Dixie Swim Club” opens on April 25, running that weekend and the next, May 2-4. The plot involves five women who were on their college swim team together, reuniting every five years at a beach cottage. There’s Lexie, the gal who wants to be forever young, courtesy of her plastic surgeon; Jeri Neal (Sister Mary Esther) who has a big surprise for her friends; Sheree, who eats health food and is the organizer (she was team captain, of course); Diane, the high-powered attorney with lots of advice; and Vernadette, who is a hard luck story, but seems to rise above it.
The dialogue among them is hilarious, with a few scenes that are thoughtful and touching. I’ve heard the dialogue many times, as you can imagine, and I still laugh out loud! I don’t recommend this play for kids under 14. The story of five women discussing their adult lives, as humorous as it is, wouldn’t be appropriate for young kids, and they wouldn’t get it. Take it from a grandmother director!
The ticket cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students, which includes college. Pick up your phone and call 715-526-2525 to reserve your tickets. You can also buy your ticket at the Clintonville Chronicle, Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce and Wittenberg Enterprise.
Moving to July, “Suessical the Musical” will be playing at the Mielke on July 11-13 and July 18-20. Brandon Byng, the director, will be holding auditions at the Mielke Arts Center from 6-9 p.m. April 15 and April 16. Actors ages 8 and older are welcome and must prepare an upbeat song, singing with a CD or acapella. Do not choose a song from “Suessical the Musical.” All cast members must audition; no late entries accepted. Call backs will be held on April 17, beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, call Brandon at 920-737-8620.
I have to say a word here about my cast and crew for “The Dixie Swim Club.” As you know, I stepped into this director’s job a little late in the game and had to scramble a bit for help. Since I know who will come through for me, I picked on those people! My assistant director, Cheryl Folkerts, is wearing many hats. I’m pretty much handling the action on stage, while she’s dragging paneling to paint for the walls, checking out our storage shed for props and costumes, finding time to paint a mural of the ocean on a flat for part of the set, and supervising the guys for the construction. I don’t know what I’d do without her.
Denise Riley, one of my cast, sewed up cushions for the furniture. All of the cast, who are experienced on stage, have made the blocking (positions on stage) easy for me, for they are instinctive as to how and where to move on the set. Nat Madsen is building the set, with Greg Powless and brother Geoff helping. Brandon Byng will be handling the lights and sound. Cindy and Dave Hackbarth have volunteered to be house managers.
I’ve found volunteers who are willing to give up an evening or afternoon to usher for the show. Ushers have other duties besides taking tickets and handing out programs. They help get the intermission refreshments set up after the show begins. So, in order to see the entire production, they have to buy a ticket and come back another time. Some are not willing to do that, so I really appreciate those that do. They are true volunteers!
I made a note of this when I saw it in a business article: “Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.” I think it applies here.
See you at the theater!
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