Curtains go up Friday for ‘Curtains’

Rogers City Community Theatre’s current production of ?Curtains? opens this Friday, Feb. 19, for a two-weekend run. This new Broadway smash musical comedy whodunit was created by Rupert Holmes, John Kandor and Fred Ebb, the creators of “Cabaret” and “Chicago.? It opened on Broadway in 2007 and earned seven Tony Awards. Director Karl W. Heidemann says, “I am so excited to be bringing this great show to the Rogers City stage. This is the first time ?Curtains? has ever been performed anywhere in the state of Michigan, and what a great show it is!”

The story is about a professional theatrical company heading for its Broadway opening of a new show, when its leading lady (played by Meghan Riordan) is murdered onstage during one of the preview performances. A detective comes in to solve the crime and quarantines the entire cast in the theater. It turns out that the detective (played by Ed Perrault) is also an amate

ur theater buff who not only wants to solve the murder, but also offers advice to the director (played by Wes Eagleson) on how to improve the show. This “show within a show” is filled with the great music of Kandor and Ebb, wonderful energetic dance numbers and unexpected plot twists as the mystery of the murder unfolds. Also in the cast are David and Kelly Crull, Bill Halsey, Charlotte Heidemann, Pennie Kelly, Donna Klein, Dana LaBar, Juliann LaBar, Alison and Mike Marx, Robert McMaster, Dave Miller, Dan and Heather Nordenbrock, Tracie Papin, Denise Perrault, Lisa Rhea, Bob Starnes and Morgan Suszek.

Heidemann says “The whole cast is doing a great job. The songs are top-notch and the dancing will knock your socks off.” Heather Nordenbrock serves as the choreographer, with Lisa Rhea as music director. The music accompaniment will be performed by a piano/bass/drum trio consisting of Suelyn Bartz, Larry Syret and Jeff Kuznicki. Curtains will be at the Rogers City Theater Feb. 19 through the 28, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (age 60 and over) and $6 for all students. Advance tickets can be purchased directly at the Rogers City Theater Box Office located at 257 North Third Street in Rogers City. Tickets are also available at the Presque Isle County Advance office or at the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce office. Call (989) 734-3861 for more information about season and discount ticket packages.