Cape Girardeau is center stage for theater of all types

River City Players

When it comes to theater, the spotlight shines brightly on Cape Girardeau. Whether you're into comedies, musicals or dramas, the talent available in Southeast Missouri rivals that of the big city shows.

"For our departments of music, theater and dance, producing magnificent shows is just what they do," says Robert Cherchio, assistant director of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Southeast Missouri State University. Since the school opened its River Campus in 2007, dedicated to fine arts study, the quality of talent has been ratcheted upward, with some of the best students in the state and nation coming to Cape Girardeau and performing for the community. "It is, quite frankly, a sheer pleasure to watch these amazing young artists at the top of their form," says Cherchio.

This year's theater and dance series has "not a clunker in the bunch," says Cherchio, with "Pajama Game" and "Hamlet" topping his list of recommendations. The touring series will bring "Young Frankenstein," "Blast!" and "Sister's Christmas Catechism" -- last year's "Late Night Catechism was a huge hit. Theater performances aside, Cherchio expects the Cab Calloway Orchestra and the Golden Dragon Acrobats to be fantastic, as well as the symphony series.

"All are exceptionally strong programs and an excellent way to turn an ordinary evening into great entertainment," he says.

Not far away, in the heart of downtown Cape Girardeau, the River City Players is gearing up for its next dinner theater show at the River City Yacht Club in Port Cape. The community theater group's rendition of "First Things First" opens Nov. 4, directed by Joe Reed.

"There's no place else here, unless you go to St. Louis or Memphis, for a dinner theater," says Debbie Barnhouse, president of the River City Players. "It's a good price of $30 for a prime rib buffet and a fun evening out, either for a date night or with family and friends. If you get there at 6:30 p.m., by 9:30 p.m. you've had a fabulous dinner and a fantastic show, and you can either go home or someplace else, because it's still early. It's very entertaining. It's pretty amazing that a small town can pull off these sets and shows. I'm real proud of them."

The group performs three to four shows each year."

At Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School, stage choir teacher Mike Dumey is known for spearheading awesome student musicals year after year. But just because the talent is younger, they are no less talented.

"Every year the comments are the same -- 'I had no idea this kind of caliber could be achieved by junior high students,'" says Dumey. "And the musicals that we choose are not junior, watered-down versions of musicals. ... We buy the royalties to the 'real McCoy' versions you see at the Muny or the Fox Theatre or on Broadway. These are the actual versions of the shows meant to be done by adults -- not by seventh- and eighth-graders, and certainly not by 150 of them."

Dumey always waits until late fall to announce the spring musical, but it's sure to be a well-known hit. In the past few years, students have put on "The Wizard of Oz," "Cinderella," "The Sound of Music" and, most recently, "Cats."

"Every year I ask the kids to make sure their part in the production is the best that it can be. Never have these kids disappointed me with their production," says Dumey.

Upcoming performances

"First Things First"
Presented by the River City Players
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4 & 5
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10-12
For tickets, call Port Cape at 573-334-0954.

"Hamlet"
Presented by Southeast Missouri State University
7:30 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 9-12
2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13

"Sister's Christmas Catechism"
Touring series at the River Campus
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11

"The Pajama Game"
Presented by Southeast Missouri State University
7:30 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 22-25
2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26

"Young Frankenstein"
Touring series at the River Campus
7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22

For more information about River Campus shows, visit rivercampusevents.com. To purchase tickets call 573-651-2265 or visit the River Campus box office. Tickets may be purchased online at metrotix.com.

Check semoevents.com for additional shows by the Sikeston Little Theatre, area high schools and other local performers.