Labor of love

SUN CITY – With the approaching production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, it’s business as usual for the Theatre Company of Sun City. And when each show’s production consists of thousands of man hours and managing fiscal responsibilities, the Theatre Company of Sun City operates very much like a business, a not so small one at that.

A small group of experienced, community-theater minded Sun City residents formed the Company in 2003. To date, the Theatre Company has hosted 14 musical productions, which range approximately between $20,000 to $23,000 to produce each show.

Theatre Company of Sun City members Bob Hernandez (top) and Mary Wyatt and Ed Gordon (above) rehearse scenes from Carousel. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)

Financing, according to Carousel Producer and Sun City Theatre Company Executive Board Member Marla Mallett, is procured through ticket sales, with additional funding garnered by advertising spots in each production’s playbill. Mallett added that each production soaks up the majority of revenue (that was garnered by previous production) and what remains is awarded as scholarships to Sun City student relatives to attend summer camps or workshops pertaining to any area of performing arts. So far, the Theatre Company has had the delight in awarding over $6,000 in scholarships.

Financing, emphasized Mallett, is nothing by comparison to the energy and hard work necessary to achieve a successful production. Over 110 members comprise the Theatre Company of Sun City, and for every cast member on stage, there are two crew members working backstage. Eighty to 100 people are needed to produce each show. This effort combined with outside help – as with the Woodchucks woodworking club, who builds sets – means Sun City Theatre Company productions come at a large order.

The Theatre Company produces two shows per year, a spring production and fall production, but planning and production starts up to a full year before curtain call, when the Theatre Company’s script reading committee starts their selection process, which asks the question, Is this play “doable” for the Theatre Company of Sun City?

Cost, abilities, and a number of factors determine the feasibility of a production. Once the committee narrows the choices to three options, those options are presented to the Executive Board for final decision.

Even though Carousel is just around the corner, the script reading committee will be ready at work in a couple months reviewing scripts for 2012 productions.

“How we relate to our shows is our love of the theater,” Mallett said.

Carousel is the story of Billy Bigelow (played by Bob Hernandez in the Sun City Theatre Company production), a hapless lowlife who in death asks to return to earth for one day to make amends for his mistakes in life.

“The giving to people, the showing them all these wonderful things that are there that are make-believe but can really change your life,” Mallett said, drives the Sun City Theatre Club to give audiences the best possible theatrical experience.

“It’s our way of saying, look at this literature that’s been written by these incredibly talented and gifted people [Rogers and Hammerstein, in the case of Carousel]. It’s here forever. And we love sharing that with the public. It’s our love of the theater.”

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