OUR NEXT PRODUCTION:

Performance dates:
April 11-12-13 , 16-17-18-19, 2008
Time: 7:30 PM
(April 13 Matinee performance: 2:00 PM)
Gilbert and Jaylee Mead Auditorium
Centralia Center

THE CAST

Notes from the Director, Cynthia Welling:

The final show on the WRCT schedule in this inaugural season in its new home is Jake's Women , a heartwarming “dramedy” written by Neil Simon. Early in Simon's career he wrote comedies such as The Odd Couple and Barefoot in the Park , but 37 plays into his writing career his style has matured and Jake's Women is a product of that journey. “Dramedy” is a catch word for the cross between a drama and a comedy and Jake's Women is exactly that. Expect to laugh so hard you will cry for more than the typical side-splitting reasons.

It has been a joy working with this cast. Veteran comedic actor, Steve Martin, has stretched his wings and brings such depth to Jake that every day is a new and delightful discovery at rehearsals. Steve is supported by a bevy of beautiful actresses who play the women in Jake's life. Newcomers to WRCT include Gwynna Norton and Jillian Jackan. Returning to WRCT after a long hiatus is Amy Boettcher and we welcome her back wholeheartedly. WRCT veterans Jenni Guggenheimer, Lettie Demski and Wendy Fait and WRCT treasure, Jody Steinke, round out the harem and there is never a dull moment as their sparkling personalities dress the stage.

And speaking of dressing the stage—Jake's Women takes place in the 1980s. I resisted admitting that I was old enough to have lived through the timeframe of a period piece, but there are smiles all around as the cast young and old discusses either their personal memories of the 80s or things they have heard about or seen on MTV. Jody Steinke has outdone herself searching for the quintessential 80s uniforms including shoulder pads any Green Bay Packer would be proud to wear. I guarantee some of the references in this script will jog a happy memory or two as you relate to some of the time-sensitive jargon and recall owning a Rubik's Cube, or perhaps remember your children begging you to purchase one.

I guess what I am inviting you to do is take a walk down memory lane with us. Smile and laugh and cry all at the same time. Enjoy Jake's story as he deals with the demise of his marriage the only way he knows how—by touching base with the important women in his life, whether they know it or not!

Click here for ticket information.

STUDIO THEATRE

Notes from the Committee Chairman, Mike Edgren:

Those who joined us for the Stage Hams Improv Comedy Club in the studio theatre know how much fun it was. If you didn't get a chance to join us, fear not, we will be setting additional dates for this hilarious evening of improvisational comedy. Watch your emails for the announcement of this and other upcoming studio productions. If you are not on our email list please give us your address now so that we can keep you informed of all the wonderful theater we are doing beyond the main stage.

Thanks.

Mike Edgren

OUR YOUTH PRODUCTION:

By Angela D. Steward
Directed by Stephanie Hoerth

Audition dates:
May 12–13, 2008
6:00—8:00 PM

Gilbert and Jaylee Mead Auditorium
Centralia Center

Performance dates:
July 18-19, 2008

Notes from the Director, Stephanie Hoerth:

Emily has a big problem! Not only is she sent to bed just as she reaches the highest level in her new video game, but also there is a monster in her closet. Meet Murray ! What to do? Well, of course, she must recruit her friends to capture the monster. (if there is room, this description could be expanded with what is on the web-site) With other wonderfully entertaining characters, this is a charming and delightful family show.

The cast includes 19 parts for ages 8-18. Auditions will be held on May 12 and 13 from 6-8 pm at the theatre. Rehearsals will continue through June and July with production dates of July 18 and 19 in the Gilbert and Jaylee Mead Auditorium.

The WRCT Summer Youth Production is an exciting opportunity for young people of all ages! It gives them a taste of theatre, and lets them gain confidence in front of people. Many of the young actors who have participated in the Youth Production have become involved in WRCT's regular season plays. For additional information, contact Stephanie at 424-3852 or e-mail scooterstar13@hotmail.com or call the WRCT office at 421-0435. You can also go to our Youth Productions webpage by clicking here.

River Theatre Company presents
Rabbit Hole
by  David Lindsay- Abaire

Prodution Dates: August 21-23 at 7:30 PM
August 24 at 2:00 PM

Gilbert and Jaylee Mead Auditorium
Centralia Center

Auditions to be held June 2 and 3 from 6:00–8:00 PM in the WRCT Studio Theatre. 
Parts available for 3 women, 1 man and 1 male teenager.

Our 2008–2009 Season:
This is the place for GREAT THEATRE!

We've chosen a season that will showcase the marvelous talent that the Rapids area has, and we KNOW you are going to love these productions! We've got magic and hard times and boats and laughter....and FIREWORKS! Intrigued? Read on....

Our Fall 2008 production:

Bell, Book and Candle
By John Van Druten

Remember the 60's TV show, "Bewitched?" Remember Samantha, Darin, and that set of eclectic characters? THIS is the play that show was based upon!

THE STORY: Gillian Holroyd cast a spell over an unattached publisher, partly to keep him away from a rival and partly because she is attracted to him. He falls head over heels in love with her at once, and wants to marry her. But witches, unfortunately, cannot fall in love, and this minute imperfection leads into a number of difficulties." Ultimately the lady breaks off with her companions in witchery, preferring the normal and human love offered her by the attractive publisher, Shepherd Henderson, but before the happy conclusion of the romance, Gillian comes very near losing him—but doesn't.

Our Winter 2009 production:

Off the Map
By Joan Ackerman

We welcome 2009 with a production that will warm your heart, and touch upon a subject that WRCT has never before attempted.

THE STORY: Bo Groden looks back on the summer when she was eleven years old and everything changed. Serving as narrator, she sifts through the memories of an unusual childhood spent in the wilds of northern New Mexico where her enterprising parents forged a rich life off the land and the local dump. Desperate to escape as a child, longing for modern amenities and normalcy, now she yearns to go back. This is the summer when Charley, her father, spiraled into depression. Usually able to build and fix anything, he is unable to fix himself, but the family carries on, thanks in large part to the earthy strength of Arlene, Bo's resourceful mother. George, Charley's lifelong friend, offers watercolors and silence. Lonely for her father's companionship, Bo amuses herself by writing letters for free samples and praying for a miracle to deliver her from a mother who gardens in the nude and a father who cannot stop weeping. The miracle arrives in the form of William Gibbs, a displaced IRS agent who arrives in a fever and never leaves. As the artist within William emerges, each member of the family is touched and affected. By the time a boat arrives at the end of the play, the family's sails have been filled. This offbeat evocative comedy has a compelling and lyrical quality. Through unswerving love and compassion, the characters stumble into glimpses of self-discovery and unexpected moments of grace.

Our Spring 2009 production:

You Can't Take it With You
By Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman

For our spring show we give you one of the most popular and successful plays of modern times.

THE STORY: At first the Sycamores seem mad, but it is not long before we realize that if they are mad, the rest of the world is madder. In contrast to these delightful people are the unhappy Kirbys. The plot shows how Tony, attractive young son of the Kirbys, falls in love with Alice Sycamore and brings his parents to dine at the Sycamore home on the wrong evening. The shock sustained by the Kirbys, who are invited to eat cheap food, shows Alice that marriage with Tony is out of the question. The Sycamores, however, though sympathetic to Alice, find it hard to realize her point of view. Meantime, Tony, who knows the Sycamores are right and his own people wrong, will not give her up, and in the end Mr. Kirby is converted to the happy madness of the Sycamores, particularly since he happens in during a visit by an ex-Grand Duchess, earning her living as a waitress. No mention has as yet been made of the strange activities of certain members of the household engaged in the manufacture of fireworks; nor of the printing press set up in the parlor; nor of Rheba the maid and her friend Donald; nor of Grandpa's interview with the tax collector when he tells him he doesn't believe in the income tax.

Our Youth production:
Aesop's Fables

Interested in directing one of these great productions? Click here to learn more!

January, 2011 Newsletter
October, 2010 Newsletter
May, 2010 Newsletter