COMEDY: `THE MOUSE THAT ROARED' COMING JULY 9-10, 16-17

Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Youth Group are counting on "The Mouse that Roared" to help them see Pope John Paul II.

Proceeds from the group's annual summer play production will help pay the youths' travel expenses to Denver, where the pope is to visit in August. Half a million young people are expected to make the pilgrimage to Denver to see the pope this summer.

The comedic play will be presented at 8:15 p.m. July 9-10 and 16-17 at the old St. Vincent's Seminary. Tickets are $5 and are available at the parish office or at the door.

A 30-member cast and 20 or so production workers will stage the comedy about a very backward country that declares war on the U.S. in hopes of receiving foreign aid. Quite by accident, Grand Fenwick wins the war.

The cast members range in age from 13-20. Many never before have been involved in a theatrical production.

"We're really excited about it," said Amy Patton, a cast member who will begin her freshman year at the University of Missouri in the fall.

Marty Strohmeyer, who in March directed "Kids' Country" for the Broadway Community Players, has the role of the wacky professor who develops the weapon that allows Grand Fenwick to prevail.

He said staging the play in the seminary theater is adding to the experience. "A lot of Catholics have memories of things that happened here," he said.

The group's production last year was the musical "Meet Me in St. Louis."

The play is being directed by Gerry Strohmeyer with production assistance by Barbara F. Strohmeyer. Fr. Don Berkbigler has served as acting coach, Fr. Ron Hoye as set adviser, and Fr. Rich Louse as sound adviser.

Members of the cast include Julie Hoffman, Danny Strohmeyer, Matt Strohmeyer, Brian Little, Marty Strohmeyer, Rob Arendt, Amy Crosier, Julie Stoverink, Amy Patton and Jeremy Bratton.

Other cast members are Victor Patterson, Nicki Renick, Sarah Essner, Jodie Eichhorn, Amanda Strohmeyer, Jennifer Teegarden, Bart Elfrink, Nick Simon, Jill Wittenborn, Nina Prost, Beth Essner, Laura Hoffman, Connie Nenninger, Chris Hoffman, Nick Watts, Ryan Mattis and Matt Vollink.