by April Helms
Special Products Editor
The scene at the Kit Kat Club was very hot -- literally and figuratively -- at the Aurora Community Theatre.
Warm temperatures April 25, coupled with a cranky air conditioner in the theater, had many audience members using their programs as makeshift fans that evening. But the heat didn't dampen the energy of the cast, nor did it seem to chill the audiences' reaction to the show.
"It's the first community production we've seen," said Gary McKee of Burton, who came with his wife Gina. "It was great, despite the warm temperatures."
"I think it was magnificent," said Wilma Ames of Vermilion. "The actors were so talented and the music was great. I especially liked Schneider and Schultz. Sally and the Emcee were good as well."
The play, directed by David Vosburgh, is set in 1930s Berlin. The main plot revolves around the love story between carefree Sally Bowles (played by Chanda Porter), a singer at the Kit Kat Klub, and a young American writer Cliff Bradshaw (Marc Finney).
Both of them become unwillingly tangled in the tense politics of the era, especially in regards to their friendship with boarding house owner Fraulein Schneider (Hester Lewellen) and her suitor Herr Schultz (Frank Mularo), a Jewish fruit vendor.
Offering commentary throughout in a series of decadent cabaret numbers is the Emcee (Scott Zolkowski of Aurora) who presides over the Kit Kat Klub entertainment, and the Kit Kat girls (played by Mia Coleman, Suzanne Davis, Siri Dennis, Justine Greenwald and Erica Haynes).
Also featured in the play are Trey Gilpin as Ernst Ludwig; Greta Rothman as Frauline Kost; Michael Guffey as Max; Bernie Keister as a customs officer; and Ian Laskowski and Anthony Satterwhite as waiters/sailors.
Ticket and show information
Tickets at $15 each are available by calling 330-562-1818 or ordering online, including seat selection at www.auroracommmunitytheatre.com.
Aurora Community Theatre is at 115 E. Pioneer Trail, near the intersection of routes 43 and 306, near the gazebo in the center of Aurora.
Next on stage
Aurora Community Theatre will next stage the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" July 5 through 19. All shows will start at 8 p.m.
Next season
Aurora Community Theatre has announced its 49th season. The theater will open with "Noises Off," which will run Oct. 31 through Nov. 22. Auditions will be Aug. 25 and 26. In 2009, the theater will stage "Wait Until Dark" from Jan. 30 through Feb. 21. The 2009 spring musical will be "The Wizard of Oz," which will run from April 24 through May 16.
The theater also will stage "Greater Tuna" for two weekends from March 6 through 14.