Spring Play: The Big Five-Oh

Wolf Creek Players presented four performances of The Big Five-Oh, a two-act comedy by Brian Mitchell, at the Wolf Creek Players Theatre at the St. Joseph's Building in Dysart May 9-11. Who said turning 50 was a piece of cake? Anthony John artfully performed the part of cranky George Thomas, who had a terrible week before his big day. His dog is sick, his son (Zach Kennedy) is a slacker, and his daughter (Jana Ryan) wants to marry a Republican (Brian Winslow). With a neurotic wife (Linda Wiges) and a widowed neighbor (Alice McGrath) who carries her husband's ashes providing more challenges than even George can overcome, this may be the worst week of his life!

The performances marked the first appearance at St. Joseph's. It provided a small theatre feeling, and the play was

enjoyed by many over Mother's Day weekend.

Thank you to the St. Joseph's Building Committee for the opportunity to rent the building and for their spirit of cooperation.

(back row L-R) Alice McGrath, Anthony John, Zach Kennedy* (front row L-R) Brian Winslow, Jana Ryan, Linda Wiges*, Ella Wicks*

* Inaugural production - give them a special round of applause!

(left) Director Jim Radatz Playwright Brian Mitchell (who attended Saturday's performance and took questions from the audience) Director Reda Charmichael

(right) Producer Nancy Havran

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Upcoming Events:

The Wolf Creek Players will perform two productions of "Twitch," a one-act comedy by

Stephen Gregg, at BrickLynn Cafe in Dysart on September 6 and 13, 6 pm. The menu includes a prime rib sandwich, cole slaw, jello salad, and pie. Cost is $15 per person

(pay at the door). For reservations, e-mail WolfCreekPlayers@windstream.net or call

Nancy Havran (319-476-3767) by Sept. 3 and Sept. 10 respectively.

Auditions for the fall play “Best Seats in the House” will be held at 7:00 p.m. Sept. 10 at Zion Lutheran Church and Sept. 11 at Geneseo United Methodist Church. The play is a two-act comedy written by Linda Wiges to be performed the second and third weekends of November. It is set in a small town cafe where three women gather each day at their reserved table in front of the big window that looks out onto Main Street.

Bonnie is the almost-60 owner of the Chat ‘n Chew. Lois Jane (20-something) is the new waitress. Galena, Evie and Georgia are the three regulars who are retired (not a requirement for the actresses who play them). Two male characters (60-70 years) each have one good scene. There are also two walk-on teenage roles and one for a muscular young man.

If you’d like to audition but are unable to come at a scheduled time, contact director Linda Wiges (319-404-5879) to make other arrangements. Please bring a list of all of your unavoidable conflicts between October 1 and Nov. 17.

Best Seats in the House

Ron and Alice McGrath are very active with Wolf Creek Players since its inception in 2009. They are both members of the Board of Directors (Alice is the current president). Alice graduated from Spalding High School in Granville, Iowa, where she was active in speech, drama, music, and the yearbook. She received her business education degree from UNI, taught high school secretarial classes in Iowa for 5 years, and worked at John Deere PEC for 30 years. In addition to acting, she designs and prints the play programs, postcards, posters, tickets, and newsletters. She is also the website , e-mail, and Facebook administrator. Ron graduated from St. John's High School in Independence, Iowa, where he was active in speech, drama, and basketball. He received his Industrial Technology degrees from UNI, taught high school shop classes for 15 years, and worked at Viking Pump for 19 years. Ron is a master Iowa High School Speech Association judge. In addition to acting, he helps construct sets and props. Jointly, Ron and Alice have appeared in The Curious Savage, Pumpkin Stuffers,, and A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol. Alice also appeared in Over the River and Through the Woods, Sam Club, Private Eye, in the Case of the Motorcoach Murder, Sam Club, Private Eye, in the Case of the Malted Falcon, Leaving Iowa, and The Big Five-Oh. Ron directed Cell Phone Rings for Thee, Wine Candles and Anthrax, and Credit Check. Ron and Alice have a rural Buckingham address. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.

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Actor

Spotlight

Ron and

Alice McGrath

Attention! Your Support is Needed to Purchase Stage Lights!

Wolf Creek Players is a non-profit organization that depends on ticket sales, donations, and grants for income. In addition to monetary donations, your time is also requested. You can help WCP!

Check here if you'd like to be a volunteer. Area(s) of interest:

Actor Makeup Backstage Props Sound Lights Set Construction Other__________________________________

Check here if you'd like to make a tax deductible donation. Levels of Monetary Contributions(check one):

Sponsorship Levels*:

$1 - $99 Audience $501 - $1000 Applause (sponsor one performance) $100 - $250 Audition $1001+ Awestruck (sponsor all performances) $251 - $500 Actor Other____________________________

*Check here if you'd like to help sponsor the next production. $_______________________________

Sponsorship is a great marketing tool to show your support for Wolf Creek Players. When you sponsor a performance(s), your name or business name will be listed in the play program, all publicity, and the next newsletter. Your business card will be inserted into the play program, and your name will be announced at the beginning of the performance(s). In addition, you will receive two free tickets to the performance of your choice.

Name_____________________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address_____________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code _________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number _____________________________________________________________________________

Mail to: Wolf Creek Players, P. O. Box 21, Dysart, IA 52224. Questions, contact Reta Callahan at rkc@fctc.coop or 319-939-0443.

Wolf Creek Players greatly thanks the following people who gave donations since publication of our last newsletter: Audience Level: Albertsen, Richard and Elaine Beck, Ruth Brandt, Tom and Pam Braun, Mary Coffey, Joe and Coni Eikamp & Associates, Inc. Hach, Marcella Hansen, Mike and Pat

Harper, Kass Hennessy, Jackie and Ora John's Qwik Stop Karr, Pat Leo, Neva and Wayne Mehlert, John and Garnet Mehlhaus, Doug and Mary Monroe, Marv and Darlene Wieck, Paul and Catharine Wilson, Bill and Janet

Audition Level: Braun, Tony Havran, Rich and Nancy Kersten, Dennis and Donna Knupp, Doris Korte, Lee and Cheryl Schott, Al and Ann Wieben, Helen and Dennis

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Past Performances

2010: The Curious Savage 4th of July Patriotic Children's Readers Theater The Shock of His Life and Pumpkin Stuffers Rapunzel - Children's Readers Theater Christmas on Main

2011: Over the River and Through the Woods Children’s Theater Workshop The Christmas Truce - Readers Theater Christmas on Main

2012: Sam Club, Private Eye, in The Case of the Motorcoach Mystery Leaving Iowa The Cell Phone Rings for Thee and Wine, Candles and Anthrax Sam Club, Private Eye, in the Case of the Malted Falcon A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol - Christmas on Main

2013: Credit Check The Big Five-Oh

Board Members:

President - Alice McGrath Vice President - James Radatz Secretary - Reda Charmichael

Treasurer - Reta Callahan Past President - Nancy Havran

Anthony John Ron McGrath

Jana Ryan

Newsletter Editor: Alice McGrath (e-mail amcgrath@iowatelecom.net)

Assistant Editor: Nancy Havran (e-mail havran02@fctc.coop)

E-mail: WolfCreekPlayers@windstream.net Facebook: Wolf Creek Players Website: www.TamaCountyIowa.org/WolfCreekPlayers

P. O. Box 21

Dysart, IA 52224

P. O. Box 21

Dysart, IA 52224

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Dysart, Iowa 52224

Permit No. 12

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