PEACH WEEKENDER

Theater: Humor, drama blend in the Rep’s ‘Moonglow’

Madge Levinson and Guy Sutherland play Maxine and Joe in Toledo Repertoire Theatre’s production of ‘Moonglow.’

The Toledo Repertoire Theatre joins forces with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Northwest Ohio Chapter to present Moonglow on Mother’s Day weekend, May 8-11.

A comic-drama written by Michigan playwright Kim Carney and directed by Paul Causman, a Toledo area actor and director, the play will feature well-known Toledo actress Madge Levinson as Maxine, a woman at the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. A kitchen fire and an incident that injures her grandson prompt Maxine’s family to move her to an assisted living facility, a move she does not want. But she meets another elderly resident, Joe, played by Guy Sutherland, and discovers they have something in common — dancing at a popular Detroit ballroom in the early 1940s — and a relationship is formed despite confusion caused by the disease, and the sometimes humorous remains of a memory.

Moonglow is based on the story of the author and her own mother, and deals with the experience of making unsettling decisions of how to care for elderly parents.

The cast also includes Jeffrey Albright as Greg, Vickie Jackson as Diane, Thomas French as the sailor, Alana Eddy as the girl, and Cindy Bilby as Benita. The stage direction will be narrated by Carol Ann Erford.

Moonglow will be performed at 8 p.m. May 8, 9, and 10, and at 2:30 p.m. May 11. Tickets are $15, from 419-243-9277 or toledorep.org.

People who are registering for social worker CEUs are eligible for discounted tickets of $10, but must call the box office to purchase them.

New in Sandusky

The Sandusky State Theatre will present a new year-round Repertory Theatre company offering musicals and plays, beginning this summer. With the theme “new renaissance,” Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night will be staged June 20-22, and the hit Broadway musical Legally Blonde will be presented Aug. 1-3. There also are plans to offer the musical White Christmas in December.

Area students and members of the community are invited to participate as actors, singers, dancers, or production team members.

The staff of the new Repertory Theatre includes Grechen Lynne Wingerter, instructor of theater at Bowling Green State University Firelands College in Huron, as artistic director. Michael Shirtz, dean of business, arts, and communications at Terra State Community College in Fremont, is music director; he is a jazz singer, pianist, and composer. Caitlin Elizabeth Reilly of Above the Barre Dance Studio in Berea, a regional choreographer, teaching artist, and actor, is choreographer.

Wingerter, who directed Miracle on 34th Street at the Sandusky State Theatre in December, will stage a modern presentation of Twelfth Night, and collaborate with Shirtz, who will direct Legally Blonde. Shirtz, who was musical director at the Sandusky State Theatre for Sound of Music in 2010 and presents the Jazz @ Eight Series, will work with choreographer Reilly on Legally Blonde.

The three bring professional experience to the new program and are also educators, said David Taylor, executive director of the Sandusky State Theatre. “I wanted to create a partnership with Terra State and BGSU Firelands. Each has wonderful degree programs,” he said. The new Repertory Theatre will allow the Sandusky theater to create a program in which the community can participate.

Auditions for the Sandusky Repertory Theatre’s summer shows will be at 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday at the Sandusky State Theatre, 107 Columbus Ave. in Sandusky.

Performers should come prepared to act, sing, and dance. To schedule an audition, call 419-626-1950.

Through a partnership with BGSU Firelands and Terra State, students may enroll in the summer programs for college credit in acting or production. Internship programs are also available through Terra State throughout the year. Information for performance-based college credit will be available at auditions. Students interested in production or year-round college internships should contact Terra State at 419-559-2233.

For information about the Sandusky Repertory Theatre Company or summer camps and enrichment opportunities at the State Theatre, call 419-626-1950 or go to sanduskystate.com.

Contact Sue Brickey at sbrickey@theblade.com.