Thank you to everyone who came out to support our 2023-24 season!
Be sure to check out our current season as well!
Our Season Consisted Of:
I Never Saw Another Butterfly – Based on the play by Celeste Raspanti, Book and lyrics by Joseph Robinette, Music by E.A. Alexander
This new musical version of Celeste Raspanti’s widely produced play brings an added dimension to the story of the children of Terezin, a ghetto under Nazi rule during World War II.
Though few of the children survived, their lives were given meaning and hope through the tireless efforts of an inspirational teacher, Irena, who challenged their creativity and artistry in a makeshift classroom using scavenged materials which she kept hidden from the authorities.
More than 5,000 drawings, poems and prose pieces were produced by the children in the concentration camp during its three- year existence, thus providing a legacy that continues to be honored and celebrated today. As narrated by one of the survivors – and close friend of Irena – Raja takes the audience on a never-to-be-forgotten adventure that moves seamlessly back-and-forth between past and present.
The musical is rich in its variety of songs including “Terezin,” “We’ll Stick Together,” “When I Go Home,” “You Don’t Know the First Thing About Anything,” and “I Loved You Before I Met You.” The final words of the song “I Leave You These” best summarize the theme of the musical. As Irena is leaving Terezin to meet her fate, she secretly passes the writings and drawings to Raja and sings: “These poems and pictures will live on after us all/And on the memory of the children who made them/Night shall never fall.”
Directed by Tim Luimes
Musical Director Elisabeth Enzlin
Kiwanis Theatre:
November 9 & 10, 2023 @ 7PM
November 11, 2023 @ 2PM and @ 7PM
“I Never Saw Another Butterfly” is presented by special arrangement from Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
The Cemetery Club – By Ivan Menchell
(WODL Entry)
This heartwarming comedy about three Jewish widows who meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands’ graves has been on Broadway and made into a movie.
Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life; Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun; and Doris is priggish and judgmental, particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene.
The play is funny and poignant. Audiences will love to spend an evening with these golden girls.
Directed by J.C. Wright
Kiwanis Theatre:
February 16, 2024 @ 7PM
February 17, 2024 @2PM and @7PM
“The Cemetery Club“ is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on Behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
www.concordtheatricals.com
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown – Based on The Comic Strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz, Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner
Additional Dialogue by Michael Mayer
Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Charles Schulz’s beloved comic comes to life in Clark Gesner’s classic musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
The whole gang is here: bossy Lucy is hopelessly in love with piano prodigy Schroeder who doesn’t give her the time of day, perfectionist Sally is still mocking blanket-toting Linus, Snoopy is in the doghouse, and “blockhead,” himself, Charlie Brown, is in rare form.
Brief vignettes span the months from Valentine’s Day to Beethoven Day, from wild optimism to utter despair. In this revised version, with additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and dialogue by Michael Mayer, the sweet, joyful innocence of the Peanuts gang is maintained, but a fresh insouciance and playfulness is revealed.
Directed by Linda Schinkel
Musical Director Amy Clifford
Choreography – Brianna Cernanec
Kiwanis Theatre:
May 23, 24. & 25, 2024 @ 7PM
May 24, 2024 @ 10:30AM
“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown“ is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark, a Concord Theatricals company. (concordtheatricals.com)