‘Leaving Iowa’ comedy presented by Rogers City Community Theatre
Rogers City Community Theatre presents its final production of the 2015 season beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Rogers City Theater. “Leaving Iowa” is a touching and hilarious show about family trips, family dynamics and family memories.
The story centers on Don Browning, a writer from Boston, who has come home to Winterset, Iowa to celebrate his young nephew’s birthday and ends up on a road trip to bury his late father’s ashes.
In a memory play that shifts between past and present, Don recalls family vacations from his childhood while he drives around the state searching for the proper resting place for his father. Comedy comes in the form of sibling rivalry in the back seat of the family car, mom and dad steering the adventures from the front seat and a host of interesting characters they meet along the way.
Everyone will recognize themselves, their parents or their children in this play. We’ve all been in that car driving long stretches of road. We’ve all been to that less-than-promised roadside attraction. And we’ve all wondered, “Are we there yet?”
There is a great cast of newcomers and veterans in “Leaving Iowa.” Fresh faces to meet and faces you’ve come to love come to the Rogers City Community Theatre stage. Three high schoolers join the cast and bring with them youthful enthusiasm.
Portraying the Browning family are veterans Karl W. Heidemann as the dad and Charlotte Heidemann as the mom. Salena Heidemann plays sis and newcomer, Nolan Ryan, takes the role of the young Don Browning. Zack Weber, another new face to the theatre group, brings the lead role of the older Don Browning to life.
The cast of zany characters is made complete by Julie Riddle, Lawrence Anderson, Bob Starnes III, Baylee Lijewski, Robert Starnes IV and Mary Parsons.
Riconda Lamb and Mike Marx co-direct the production. Handling lighting is Donna Klein; sound, Mike Marx; and spotlight, Ed Perrault. Stage crew includes Karen Maher, Mary Parsons and Denise Perrault.
The public is invited to join the Browning family on an unpredictable summer road trip w
Show dates are Oct. 30,31, Nov. 1,6,7 and 8. Fridays and Saturdays the play begins at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Doors open a half hour before the show.
October 31 is come-in-costume night. Door prizes will be given away to some of those who dare to come incognito.
Ticket prices for adults are $12, seniors $10 and students $6. Tickets are available at the Presque Isle County Advance office and, as always, at the door. For more information see the theatre’s Web site at www.rcctheatre.org.