President's Corner
April, 2007
There is a very special feeling an actor gets standing on stage, between the set and the back walls, waiting for the cue to enter. It's a world in between worlds; between the person you are backstage and the character you become when you walk on the set. It's a world of shadow and dust, a purgatory of light and dark, reality and fantasy. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Full of anticipation—will I remember my lines? Will the other actors? Will they love me or hate me? There is nonetheless a feeling of voyer in just being there; feeling, hearing, sensing the mood of the audience in complete anonymity, in between worlds, in between characters.
Only the house knows. And it's at this time you commune with the very walls, because they alone share your secret, your fears, and your power. Their energy enfolds you; together you breathe deeply to relax, say a prayer, quickly run your lines through your head, feel the character pass through you like a spirit taking possession of your body, and make your entrance.
There's another time you feel at one with the house, and that's when you give back the energy given to you. Wen the set id down, the curtains rehung, and every trace of the latest production alive only in the memory it has become. Everyone else has gone, and you are alone, left to sweep the stage. Cathy Meils once said to me, "As a director, I love to sweep the stage. It's the most humbling chore in the theatre, and it brings me back to earth." I agree. It also sets the house to rights, and you hear the walls creak and sigh as they begin to slumber once again. Sweeping is an offering for the goodwill of performances to come. Once again you stand silently and feel the energy of the space, and you say another prayer, this time of thanks. The detritus of Mr. Hyde joins the dust in the bin, and you step back into your old skin once again.
"The Nerd" will be WRCT's last regular-season production at McMillan Library. For over 30 years, the actors, technicians, producers, and audiences of WRCT have been a part of the magic of live theatre, and we are bound to leave some scars—and ghosts— behind. It's time to say goodbye and thank you to our old home and the people who made it possible for us to play there. From Ray Hernandez to Ron McCabe, and every administrator, board member, and library employee involved, we say thank you.
It's a little hard to say goodbye to the walls themselves. I know I had quite an emotional moment during "Dark of the Moon," when I stood in that spot, waiting to go on, and thought of all the times that came before. And each of us will say goodbye in our own way. It sounds silly, I know, but many of us—me included—grew up in McMillan theatre, in more ways than one. It's time to move on, to something wonderful, but these goodbyes are always bittersweet. I hope you take a moment, too, when you're there for "The Nerd" to say thank you to the people who helped make it all possible.
And I wonder. Some time, when everyone has gone, and you stand in the back on stage right and listen very hard—will the walls give up their secrets? Will you hear the echoes of tap-dancing nuns? Will you feel a breeze that carries the frenzy of a quick scene change? Or catch a waft of freshly painted muslin? I hope so, because if these walls could talk, they would say it's been a very, very good run.
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Our Next Production:
By Larry Shue
Production Dates: April 20-21, 25-28, 2007
7:30 P.M.
McMillan Library
From the Director, Charles Buchs-Hammonds
Chuck Buchs-Hammonds
Director
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It's such a joy for a director to witness the evlolution of a cast from auditions to performance. The cast for The Nerd is an excellent example of an ensemble—that is, a cast that allows each member to ba a star of the show. The extraordinary talent present in these individual cast members is evident the moment they walk on stage. To call this play a comedy is an understatement. The comical moments multiply with each rehearsal. Even though I have watched rehearsal after rehearsal, I leave each night with my sides hurting from laughter. Everybody needs a good dose of laughter, and this show will meet that need, and more. The tickets for The Nerd will sell out quickly—don't be disappointed—get your tickets early!
THE STORY:
Now an aspiring young architect in Terre Haute, Indiana, Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met, but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that as long as he is alive, "you will have somebody on earth who will do anything for you"—so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless "nerd"—a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence, and less tact. And Rick stays on and on, his continued presence among Willum and his friends leading to one uproarious incident after another, until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence—a dire development which, happily, is staved off by the surprising "twist" ending of the play.
For tickets call: 421-0435 or visit the WRCT mall office.
Willum Cubbert |
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Steve Martin |
Tansy McGinnis |
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Anne Van Lysal |
Axel Hammond |
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Mike Edgren |
Warnock Waldgrave |
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David Skibba |
Clelia Waldgrave |
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Cory Shaw |
Thor Waldgrave |
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Tyler Martin |
Rick Steadman |
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Michael Fait |
All Tickets are $10.00 with Reserved Seating
Tickets available at WRCT Office, East End of Rapids Mall
Monday – Wednesday & Friday 10 am to 1 pm
Additional Ticket Sales
One hour prior to performance at McMillan Library
WRCT Announces Our 2007–2008 Season:
Welcome to Our New Home!
From Linda Garski, Play Selection Committee Chairman
Welcome to the premier season in our new Theatre in the Centralia Center. Yes, “There’s No Place Like Home” and we invite you experience this great line-up of some all-time favorites. We’ve picked a season that we know you are going to love! It’s our way of thanking you for supporting us over the years.
We refer our fall production of “Jake’s Women” by Neil Simon as a “dramedy”- it’s lighthearted at times, but also has some serious and heartfelt moments. The Story: In the world of modern relationships, we find Jake, a novelist who is more successful with fiction than with life. He is facing a marital crisis by daydreaming about the women in his life. The comic and moving flashbacks played in his mind are interrupted by visitations from actual females. The cast includes l man and 7 women.
The large cast musical “She Loves Me” by Joe Masteroff (with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and music by Jerry Bock) is an ideal winter production. “She Loves Me” is a warm romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old world elegance and nostalgia. The Story: Meet Georg and Amalia – two feuding clerks in a European parfumerie who secretly find solace in their anonymous romantic pen pals, little knowing their respective correspondents are none other than each other. Add a strong ensemble cast playing a range of vivid, emorable characters of all ages and you have a truly enjoyable theatrical experience.
The season concludes with “Moon Over Buffalo” by Ken Ludgwig. This is a rip-roaring farce that is sure to tickle your funnybone! The Story: Follow the misadventures of an acting couple (not exactly the Lunts) that are on tour in Buffalo in 1953. Fate has given these thespians one more shot at starring roles in The Scarlet Pimpernel epic and director Frank Capra, himself, is in route to Buffalo to catch their matinee. Will Charlotte appear or run off with their agent? Will George be sober enough to emote? Hilarious misunderstandings pile on madcap, all of which is magnified by Charlotte’s deaf mother who manages the theatre. Don’t miss this one!
Directors are needed for the shows. If interested, please submit your resume to the WRCT office or go to the Directors Wanted page for an application.
Construction Begins!
From Andy Gilbert, Facility Committee Chairman
In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy had one all encompassing wish and that was to go home. In the end the good witch Glenda told her all she had to do was to tap the heels of her red slippers together and say the words, “There's no place like home, there's no place like home…” WRCT has used those words to inspire and drive its desire to have a home of our own. Unfortunately, we do not possess a pair of magic red slippers. Fortunately, we do have a dedicated Board which committed itself to fulfilling the desire for a home of our own.
We were told that it couldn't be done, that the community was in hard times, that there were too many fund raising projects going on and that interest in community theater in Wisconsin Rapids was just not broad enough to support our $1.2 million campaign. With the generous help of our own scarecrows, Gilbert and Jaylee Mead, who had the wisdom and foresight to see the value of community theater and get the ball rolling, the uncowardly lions of our dedicated campaign committee who had the courage to take on the fund raising in these difficult times and a community of tin men (and women) who have a heart for community theater, we have been able to “tap our slippers together” and begin the transition from the land of Oz to our home in the Centralia Center.
On Monday, March 19, 2007 , the first workmen moved into the new theater space and began the final leg on our magical trip “home”. As often happens when you are building within an existing facility, construction began with destruction as old walls are torn down, unneeded electrical wiring removed and air handling duct work relocated. The project is being guided by Garth Larson of Centralia Development with a target date of late July, easily in time for our first production of the 2007–2008 season.
Hours have been spent in the design and planning of the theater layout, in the selection of equipment, in the choice of seats, in the interior decoration of the theater and all the other aspects of making the dream a reality. We would like to share that transition with you so on occasion; we will publish pictures of the progress of the facility on this web page. We will also summarize project progress in upcoming newsletters.
As the hammers start pounding, the drills start drilling and the workmen begin installing, the WRCT Board of Directors looks forward in eager anticipation to welcoming you to our new home in the fall.
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Presented by Central Wisconsin Community Theatre
“The Crucible”
By Arthur Miller
Directed by Eric Finn
May 18-19 at 7:30 PM, May 20 at 4:00 PM
Sentry Theatre
“The Crucible” is a fictionalized account of accusations of witchcraft based on historical events that took place in 1692. This classic play features the talents of WRCT's own Jody Steinke as Tituba, Letty Demski as Ann Putman and Glen Beaver as Giles Corey.
Admission is $11.00. For tickets, call the UWSP box office at (715)346-4100 or 1-800-838-3378.
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THAT'S MY PAN!
Looking for a unique gift idea?
Well, we have just what you are looking for, AND you will be helping WRCT raise funds for the "grande drape" in the new theatre.
Diane Pokrandt has graciously volunteered to coordinate this fundraiser. What is it? A personalized, heavy-duty 9 x 13 baking pan and lid. Choose from over 100 designs on the lid with the person's name on BOTH the lid and the pan. The cover comes in a choice of 4 colors—black, navy, cranberry, and forgest green, with white lettering. The caption can read "Made With Love by" or "From the Kitchen of".
Cost of the Pan is $30 with proceeds benefiting WRCT. ORders can be placed with any board member, or stop by the WRCT office.
That's right—it's "My Pan" and "Our Community Theatre!"
Add a Cookbook to Your Pan Order!
Create your own treats for your pet by purchasing the Dog-O-Rama cookbook. This recipe book is filled with healthy and tasty treats your pet will love.
Proceeds will be split by the Wood County Humane Society and The Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre. Purchases can be made at the WRCT office or the SWCHS office.
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The Sapphire Chamber Concert
Featuring the Music of
The Sapphire Chamber Consort
A Fundraiser for WRCT
Friday, May 18, 2007
First English Lutheran Church
Wisconsin Rapids
Reception 6:30 P.M., with the concert at 7:00 P.M.
Admission: $20 for Adults; $10 for Students
Advanced tickets available at the WRCT Office,
Winslow's Hallmark Shop,
and Central Wisconsin Cultural Center
WRCT will host 22 musicians from the Minneapolis area. Founding member of the consort is Lincoln High School graduate Heidi (Gilbert) Miller. Ms. Miller has a Bachelor's degree in trumpet performance from UW-Madison, and a Master's Degree from Ithaca College in Conducting. She is currently in Doctoral Studies in conducting at UW-Madison. This amazing group of talented musicians will provide an evening of musical entertainment not to be missed.
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WRCT Board of Directors |
Ellen Roeseler
President |
Mary Beth Rokus
Administrator |
Linda Garski
Vice President |
Shari Day
Secretary |
Jamie Riedel
Secretary |
Charles
Buchs-Hammonds |
Mike Barrett |
Lois Cantin |
Diane Schroeder |
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Andy Gilbert |
Rick Stensberg
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James Zabel
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ATTENTION:
ALL SHOWS FOR 2005-2006 SEASON
WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 7:30 PM
in the Fine Arts Center at McMillan Library Theater. |
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