Friday and Saturday night at Grace United Mission Center
By Mary Gardner-Ruch
Starlight Theatre Company is performing a musical comedy, “Give My Regards to Broadway” on May 5th and 6th at 7:00 pm both nights at the Grace United Mission Center located at 99 Maple Avenue in Wellsville. Admission is $6 at the door. There are no presale tickets. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Included with the price of admission, are desserts.
According to Ryan Kein, Producer, “This is our 13th show since the group was created, and it is a real crowd-pleaser”. It features the music of George M. Cohan. Many will recognize some of the songs from the show such as “It’s a Grand Old Flag” and “Yankee Doodle Boy”, “Give My Regards to Broadway”, and “Mary’s a Grand Old Name”. According to Ryan, they chose the show because they wanted to provide the community with a fun and affordable night out at the theater, where people can laugh, enjoy some tasty treats, and see a light family-friendly show.
“Give My Regards to Broadway” is about a struggling off-Broadway theater director in the 1940s who is trying to mount a new show, but he has no money, no leading lady, and no hope. Suddenly an aspiring actress fresh from a small town appears, and a mysterious benefactor gives the funding for the show. In the meantime, an on-the-run gangster is hiding out in the theater, with his pursuers hot on the trail. It’s a real ensemble piece, with tons of colorful characters who are connected in hilarious and surprising ways.
Their director is Heidi Lawton, and they have a 24-person cast. Taking place in the 1940s, there are period costumes, a detailed set design, and a bevy of 1940s-style characters such as gangsters, chorus girls, and Broadway starlets.
Come on out for a toe-tapping, laughter-producing good time. This is a show in the true tradition of 42nd Street and the great Broadway musicals – an audience pleaser for sure.
