Capital City Productions invites audiences to "join in their jamboree" revisiting Disney favorites for a one night only fundraiser gala for the theater.
CCP entertainers will premier its Founder's Cabaret "House of Mouse!" at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at the theater, 719 Wicker Lane. A silent auction with prizes and a prime rib dinner will be included in the event, with all proceeds going to finish actors' dressing rooms at the theater.
CCP founder Rob Crouse said the theater is "putting on the ritz" for this VIP-treatment fundraiser: Chef Ryan Davis, of Argyle Catering Company, will be serving a complete prime rib dinner, and alcoholic libations will be served to guests throughout the evening. The choice to go with a nostalgic theme was a no-brainer: Not only are the songs easily recognizable, but families can all come to the performance together.
"We all love Disney; it's great entertainment for everybody in the family," said Crouse about the play, which is rated G for all audiences. "It's going to bring a lot of joy and smiles to peoples' faces to hear some of their Disney favorites."
"House of Mouse!" will feature classic songs from "Mary Poppins," "Beauty and the Beast," "Newsies" and more. Returning to the stage from the theater's recent production "Spotlight on Broadway!" will be Steve Kretzer, Da'Mia Day and Ben Miller, as well as other CCP returners Tori Stepanek, Josh Lehto, Melinda Peak, Steve Kretzer, Michael Brand, Jana and Jaelie Botts, Cole Riney, Danielle Simpson, MiCrystal Day, Natalie Eickoff, Wyatt Logan, Sue Logston, Curtis Sudduth and Taylor Sinclair.
"It's an important show to us," Crouse said, "and it's going to be a fabulous evening."
Additionally, a silent auction will be running throughout the night, which CCP president Nate Grey has been in charge of, including gift baskets, baked goods, and autographed photos of Broadway stars and sports legends. Auction items include two tickets to the Broadway production of "Mean Girls," autographed photos by actor Jeremy Jordan and former athletes George Brett and Bo Jackson, to name a few.
Grey said normally a slice of productions goes to arts organizations, but this is one production where funds will go directly toward CCP. Funds will go toward building walls, installing lights, laying floors. and putting tables and mirrors in the women's and men's dressing rooms. He said renovations will be like a "Murphy bed style," with desks able to fold up and be put away for multiple uses of each room. So, when the time comes, a room can function as a dressing room one night, then a rehearsal room the next.
"It's been well thought out to where we use our space wisely," Grey said.
Actors have been enthusiastic to have finished dressing rooms so they keep the magic of a production alive. Performer Steve Kretzer said due to lack of facilities, actors have to use the bathrooms in the main lobby for makeup or counter space he's hoping having their own rooms can give space to both actors and patrons.
"We don't want to spoil the illusion of theater by running into people in costume or taking up space in a stall," Kretzer said. "All around, it not only benefits actors by giving them space but patrons as well."
Sue Logston, long-time actor with CCP, said she loves the closeness of the theater - "each show, you have a different family," she said - but having that designated space for actors to get ready will give all of the crew backstage adequate room.
"Actually having dedicated rooms for that will be so nice, kind of like saying 'here we are, this is our space,'" Logston said, adding it would prevent them from taking over the costume room for warmups. "We are one more step in growing into the theater we want to be."
Although it's their first year doing the fundraiser for the Founder's Cabaret, Crouse hopes it can become an annual tradition. Grey said they are hoping to reach $18,000-$20,000 in fundraising this year.
CCP no longer requires mask wearing for guests, but hand sanitizer will be available throughout the theater, and temperatures will be taken at the door. Spaces are also sprayed and disinfected between performances.
Doors open for "House of Mouse!" at 6 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30 p.m., and the show at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, which are $100, visit bit.ly/3q75PiT, call or text 573-681-9612, or email [email protected]. There are now paper tickets issued, which will be scanned in before entering the auditorium, and seats are assigned by the patron at the time of purchase.