It’s been 19 years and 17 shows since the Rotary Dinner Theatre first took the stage in 1992, and in that time the event has raised close to $1 million for charitable causes in Westlock and around the world.
In advance of this year’s production of “Honky Tonk Angels,” theatre chair Dick Arth said the event is about $70,000 shy of the $1 million mark, and he’s confident this year is the year they finally make it.
Yet, he said it’s less about the show raising nearly that much money as it is the fact it’s still going strong two decades later.
“The significant thing to me is that it’s kept going that length of time,” Arth said. “It’s a monstrous labour thing that we do. There are 40-50 people who work each night on this thing. That’s always the biggest challenge.”
Although it has been Arth’s personal goal to reach the $1 million plateau, he said ultimately what matters is that the money helps other people.
“Every penny goes to improve the lives of somebody else.”
This year’s performance of “Honky Tonk Angels” is the 18th show the theatre has put on since 1992.
Arth said the play is the story of three women in 1970s America who are disconcerted with their current lot in life. So, unbeknownst to each other, they each board a bus for Nashville, in hopes of making it rich.
“They all want to sing,” he said.
They make it to Nashville and together become a big success, and the latter half of the show chronicles their fame, interspersed with a whole slew of “incredible songs.”
“It is a story,” Arth said. “It’s emotional. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry and be totally entertained.”
He said the reason “Honky Tonk Angels” was chosen to be put on stage this year was that it was a chance to put the talent Westlock has on display.
“You work with the talent you have, and we have the best of the best here,” he said.
Headlining the show are three local and well known women, said director Bunnie Arth.
Anne-Marie Switzer is the lead actress, playing the role of Angela.
“She’s a wonderful actress, and she has a fabulous singing voice,” Bunnie said.
Terry Steiestol plays Sue Ellen, while Gisele Hodges takes over the character of Darlene.
Offstage, and running the “upscale band,” is music director Evelyn Calkins.
Bunnie said she can’t think of any reason why someone would not want to come out and take in the show.
“It’s wonderful entertainment,” she said. “You’re going to laugh and certainly enjoy the entertainment with a wonderful band and an extremely talented cast.”
Dick finished his wife’s sentence by thinking about the appetizing part of the evening.
“And they’re going to get a first-class dinner as well,” he said.
The theatre has lasted as long as it has in part because it’s been such a successful fundraiser, Bunnie said, but Dick said it’s also been a boon to the local acting community.
“It really gives them the opportunity to work almost in a professional environment where everything’s done as professional as we can,” he said.
Tickets go on sale on Sept. 16, but only for tables of eight or the two matinee shows. To order tickets on that day, call 780-349-6406.
Individual tickets go on sale on Sept. 17. The ticket office is at Arth’s Fashion Centre, and open 12-4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Tickets are $55 or $50, depending on location; matinee tickets are only $22 because there is no dinner at those performances.
Evening shows are Oct. 4, 5, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26. The matinee shows are on Oct. 6 and 20.
