BROADWAY COMMUNITY THEATRE INVITES YOUR TO VISIT OUR TOWN

Organizers of the Broadway Community Theatre hope their upcoming production, "Our Town," will set the pace for a community-centered theater organization.

The theater group will perform "Our Town" May 31 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. The dinner theater is aimed at raising money for the newly-formed Broadway Community Theatre organization.

Heidi Spitler, assistant director of the play, said the dramatic comedy is a thought-provoking peak into the lives of people who reside in a small New Hampshire town. The characters are down-to-earth and realistic, she said, and confront everyday problems.

"It looks at how people go through their daily lives and forget to appreciate the things around them," Spitler said.

The play, written by Thorton Wilder, was presented for the first time in New York in early 1938 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize for play writing later that year.

It was hailed by critics for breaking the barriers of old-fashioned theatrical conventions. It is done with few props and is told in part by a narrator.

The cast of about 20 local residents includes both children and adults. Russell Felker is the narrator. Other lead players include Richard Behring as Dr. Gibbs, Elaine Carlson as Mrs. Gibbs, Joe Domian as Mr. Webb, Cherie Worth as Mrs. Webb, Brian Campbell as George Gibbs and Jennifer Worth as Emily Webb.

Spitler said that some members of the cast are experienced stage actors, for others, it will be their first play. Auditions were open to anyone, and so were positions on the crew.

"You really don't have to have any special training, just an interest in theatre," Spitler said. "We want anyone with an interest to audition or volunteer to help with backstage duties."

The play is directed by Silvia Baeza. Technical director is Dave Kaempfer.

Spitler said the group is lead by a seven-member board of directors, not interested in directing or acting. Some members were formerly associated with the Broadway Players, which operated community theater in Cape Girardeau for 10 years.

The group is currently looking forward to having their own theater, not only for rehearsals and performance, but also to teach in.

"We really hope the community gets involved in this," she said. "We want to promote interest in theater and the arts."

The group operates as a satellite organization of the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts, and tickets are available through the council by calling 334-9233.

The evening includes a cocktail hour beginning at 6:30, followed by a buffet dinner at 7 and the performance at 8:15. Tickets are $25 per person or $50 per couple. Reservations are requested by May 13.