Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Avenue, Racine, WI 53404

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Upcoming at the Theatre...

  “Glorious!”

January 20-February 5

sponsored by Lincoln Lutheran

 

The Racine Theatre Guild’s production of “Glorious!” is sure to brighten winter nights and warm audiences with its hilarious and heartwarming humor. Peter Quilter’s comedy based on the true story of the joyous Florence Foster Jenkins, perhaps the world’s worst singer, lights up the RTG stage at 2519 Northwestern Avenue (Highway 38) in Racine, January 20-February 5. Neither her parents nor her husband gave Florence Foster Jenkins (1868-1944) any encouragement to pursue music, but with her divorce, and the money inherited from her father, she was free to go to New York and follow her dream of becoming an operatic diva. “The world first heard my voice in 1912, the year the Titanic went down,” says Florence (Kathy Berg) in the play. Follow Madame as she auditions a new accompanist, Cosme McMoon (Dimitri Shapovalov), gives charity recitals and extravagant balls, and warbles her way through bizarre recording sessions. Discovering after a car accident that she can now hit F sharp above high C, she reaches the note onstage by hitting her forehead to simulate the collision. What endears her to audiences is her passion and enthusiasm for the music, not to mention her flair for costume design. (Her “Angel of Inspiration” and Carmen outfits, for instance, are nearly as startling as her voice.) Those wishing to purchase tickets to one of Madame’s performances must first be interviewed by herself. What she hears in her head is beautiful, so how does she react to the hysterical laughter evoked by her singing? The delusional but charming lady chooses to delight in seeing people enjoy themselves. When one rare detractor, Mrs. Verindah-Gedge (Mary Buchel), mounts the stage, she is booed and shouted off. As Madame’s following grows to cult status, she becomes the hottest ticket in town. Finally in 1944, she takes a leap from hotel ballrooms to Carnegie Hall—and fills it! The play is a charming reminder of what it is to dream: “People may say that I can’t sing but no one can ever say I didn’t sing.”—Florence Foster Jenkins Besides the sensitive pianist Cosme, Madam’s inner circle includes St Clair (Ron Halvorsen), her suave English boyfriend; Maria (Kate Mooney), her insubordinate Mexican maid who doesn’t speak English (nor does Madame speak Spanish); and Dorothy (Dawn Van Ess), her ditzy friend with a peculiar pet poodle. Directing this production for the Racine Theatre Guild is Norman McPhee. Geoff Greeley heads the volunteer crew as production stage manager. Steve Barnes designed the set. Performances of “Glorious!” are sponsored by Lincoln Lutheran and run from January 20 to February 5. Each weekend there are shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. There are additional performances at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 28; at 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 29; at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 2; and at 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 4. The adult ticket price is $17 for the 7:30 p.m. shows, $13 on Thursday night, and $15 at all other times. Discounts are available for seniors, students, groups and season subscribers. Box office hours are 12 to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 90 minutes prior to curtain through intermission at performances. For further information and reservations, call 262-633-4218 or go to www.racinetheatre.org.

 

 “Baby Boomer Comedy Show”

at Racine Theatre Guild February 11

Racine Theatre Guild’s Comedy Tonight series promises another night of non-stop laughter on Saturday, February 11, when Jan McInnis and Kent Rader bring their “Baby Boomer Comedy Show” to Racine. The show starts at 8 p.m. in the RTG’s auditorium at 2519 Northwestern Avenue (Highway 38).

Want a great night of comedy that you can relate to? Baby-boomer comedians McInnis and Rader take on familiar topics—family, kids, work, do-it-yourself projects, dieting, aging—and they do it with clean humor that’s been a hit at thousands of appearances over a combined 30 years. McInnis was featured in the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post as one of the top convention comedians. To her, life is all about “finding the funny.” She’s performed everywhere from Wolf Trap to the Mayo Clinic. Rader plays in comedy clubs from New York City to Seattle, won the 2007 Branson Comedy Festival, and is heard on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation” and Sirius satellite radio. He’s also authored a book on stress reduction titled “Let It Go, Just Let It Go.”

Sponsor Tri City Bank plans to make the evening even more fun with trivia questions and other nostalgia, and will be conducting raffles for cash and gift cards, with proceeds benefitting the Racine Theatre Guild.

Individual show tickets cost $17 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. Still to come in the series is ComedySportz on March 24. For reservations and information, call 262-633-4218. The RTG box office, 2519 Northwestern Avenue, is open from noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and from 90 minutes prior to a performance through intermission. Online ticketing is available 24 hours a day at www.racinetheatre.org.

 

Do you like to act? Do you like to sing? Do you like to perform? If you do, then check out the auditions schedule.

Individual Tickets

Don't miss any of the live entertainment this season. Contact the box office today to get your individual performance tickets for Season 74. Ticket Schedule.

Box Office Hours

Weekdays: 12 to 6 p.m. & 90 minutes prior to curtain through intermission at performances