Local Community Theatre Production Includes UWSP Alumni in Fun, Spunky Musical Comedy

The cast was invited to perform one of their group numbers for the Music Experience 1920s Fundraiser for the UWSP Music Department on Oct. 18 in Michelson Hall in the Noel Fine Arts Center, since it takes place in the 1920s as well. Photo by Renee Wiedmeyer.

The Central Wisconsin Area Community Theatre has its first production of the 2019-2020 season with “The Drowsy Chaperone,” premiering Oct. 25-27 and Nov. 1-2 at Sentry Theatre.

Central Wisconsin Area Community Theatre, or cwACT, is a well-known community theater that puts on plays and musicals in the area for anyone to audition and everyone to enjoy.

Their first show of the season is a musical about a lonely man in New York City who listens to his favorite record to make himself feel better. He listens to the recording of a 1928 musical, and while it’s playing, the show comes to life in his apartment.

Director Amy Schwaab gave her reason for why she wanted to direct this unique and fun production. “It’s something different than anything I’ve ever seen.”

Schwaab emphasizes that it was her first show she’s seen on Broadway and that the show is “all what musical theatre loves but with something different.”

Another cool aspect about this show is that there are a lot of UWSP alumni and current students who are part of the cast in as well.

Lead actress and UWSP alum, Tana De Lonay, who plays the Chaperone, explained what she likes about playing her character.

“She doesn’t care, she does what she wants and doesn’t care what happens.” De Lonay said that her character is a drunk and a lush. She is supposed to be watching over Janet, the woman getting married, so the groom doesn’t see her before the wedding but De Lonay’s character doesn’t care about that job because she is drunk the whole time. The musical is set in the 1920s but that’s not stopping her from drinking when she can, even during prohibition periods.

De Lonay is excited to be back on stage for the first time in three years and show off her talent after experiencing the behind the scenes of the production team, like directing. She enjoyed both but is happy to be on stage for an audience again.

There are 21 actors in the cast and another actor that has purple and gold in their veins, Nicole Congdon, senior and communications public relations major and current student at UWSP, has the opportunity to play three different characters. 

Congdon is an ensemble member who also gets to portray a maid, monkey and Trix the Aviatrix.

Something unique that Congdon likes about playing three characters is that she gets to switch to multiple personalities while each character is on stage.

Trying to get some details on what we can expect from the show and the only thing she mentioned was “Tilitos surprise,” and that is all. She encourages everyone to come to the show to find out what it means.

Schwaab, De Lonay, and Congdon all emphasize and recommend that it will be a very fun, very funny, very unique and something you won’t expect or have seen before. There is so much craziness that makes the show how unique it really is.

Speaking to these cast and crew members, they talked about how awesome it is that UWSP and cwACT have that special partner relationship that they do so much for each other.

Tana De Lonay explained why she enjoys coming back to cwACT and how cool it is to be involved in the community in the same area where she went to college.

“[I] Love this theater, love this community and love that we have this back and forth relationship of helping each other.”

Everyone behind the scenes and in front of the scene is constantly trying to continue to build this incredible relationship with the university and so much more they can do when they collaborate and come together. That also includes the people of the community supporting local arts and if you want to take a night and enjoy our local talent. 

Tickets are $18 for adults and $9 for children under 12. You can get tickets at the door day of or at showtix4you.com. Check out cwACT Facebook page for more details on future performances and how you can donate to support the local theatre.

About Sarah Sartell

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