Capital City Productions founder Rob Crouse and president Nate Grey often stop into McAlister's Deli for its famous sweet tea, the restaurant's staple beverage they have brewed for the last 30 years.
Now, their love of its tea may now pay off in raising funds for the nonprofit, all-volunteer, dinner theater organization through a new Tea Town Showdown contest.
Communities housing McAlister's more than 450 neighborhood restaurants can vote for their city to be the next Tea Town, with the top three winners receiving thousands of dollars to the local nonprofit cause of their choice. In Jefferson City, that organization is Capital City Productions.
Becca Bentlage, general manager at McAlister's Deli in Jefferson City, posted to Facebook about the Tea Town Showdown, asking residents which local organization they would like to receive a potential $10,000 grand prize if Jefferson City received the top Tea Town Showdown reward.
"I wanted it to be a community decision and who they felt should be represented and receive these funds," Bentlage said. "If we are doing this for our town, we need to pick something that everyone is in on the same page to support."
With many different suggestions flooding in, Bentlage gave Facebook users until midnight that day to share their choice, with the most comments received for one organization becoming Jefferson City's local nonprofit partner and recipient. Capital City Productions scored the most.
The goal is to make Jefferson City Tea Town USA, and there are two ways to do this. First, the community can drink more McAlister's tea. Bentlage said each McAlister's sweet tea a person purchases counts as a vote, or point, for that restaurant in that community in the showdown. Individuals can also vote for Jefferson City once per day at McAlister's website.
"The more the points, the more you climb the leaderboard," Bentlage said, adding the Tea Town Showdown started on June 1 and ends on Free Tea Day on July 18 at McAlister's.
After this day, one restaurant will be crowned Tea Town Showdown champion, winning $10,000 for its local community partner, a Tea Town Showdown trophy and community celebration.
"They have one of those big checks and we can be in contact if that happens. The tea commissioner will hand them the check," Bentlage added.
A second place prize of $5,000 will be awarded, as well as $2,500 for third place on the leaderboard. As of 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Brandon, Mississippi, was in first with 10,043 votes; Arlington, Texas, was in second place with 9,712 votes; and Waco, Texas, was in third with 7,055. Jefferson City ranked 31 with 240 votes, however, Bentlage said it is still early in the game.
Aside from earning points through online voting and tea purchases, Capital City Productions will also hold four fundraising nights at McAlister's Deli in Jefferson City, having hosted their first June 3. Ten percent of all sales during each three-hour fundraising night will go to Capital City Productions.
"We will also have a tip jar here, with all tips going to us. This allows us visit with customers, answer questions about our organization and encourage them to vote or buy a tea," Crouse said. The remaining fundraising nights are from 5-8 p.m. June 17, July 1 and July 15 at McAlister's.
A handful of Capital City Productions volunteers sported "Mamma Mia!" T-shirts, with all of its regular dinner theater productions sold out weeks before they open tonight. However, four production-only, encore performances - 1 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. June 12, 19 and 28 - have been added, with tickets still available.
Crouse added they are encouraged by this contest and fundraising nights, hoping it not only spreads awareness for their organization, but also raises funds that would help with a possible move to a new location for Capital City Productions from its current space at Shikles Auditorium, 1200 Linden Drive.
With the atmosphere being one of the top reasons why Bentlage believes people enjoy McAlister's, she hopes the Tea Town Showdown not only drives in more customers but also makes Jefferson City the top winner and Capital City Productions the recipient of its grand prize.
"I am excited and hope everyone can vote for Jefferson City. Hopefully we can make a big impact for our town and Capital City Productions," she added.
To vote in the Tea Town Showdown, visit www.mcalistersdeli.com/freeteaday. For more information about Capital City Productions, visit www.capitalcityproductions.org.