Wisconsin Rapids, WI (WFHR, WIRI)

In a season filled with laughter and love, both are on display in the closing show of the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theater’s (WRCT) 50th season. Noises Off is a farcical comedy of a play within a play that will give a unique insight into what happens on stage and off.

The Show Within The Show

Noises Off is a play about a theater preparing to perform the play “Nothing On”, a bedroom farce. We, as the audience, watch the rehearsal and get to know both the actors and the characters of the show. From the first moments we realize, this is not going to be a smooth production. Doors will be slamming, people coming on and off, mistaken identities and hilarity ensue. The night before opening night the trouble comes to a head. Act 2 rotates the stage and we the audience see what goes on backstage during one of the performances a few weeks later. Act 3 brings it all to a head and leaves us in stitches.

Coming Together While Falling Apart

The cast has created a beautiful chemistry which is key to pulling off “Nothing’s On” and Noises Off. The cast has many familiar faces and a few new ones as well. Some are those with voices heard on our airwaves. Thanks to the directorial vision of Melissa Kaye, WFHR/WIRI’s News Director, the falling apart of the show on stage brings together a camaraderie of the performers in a fun way. The challenge of keeping track of the action and props has bonded the cast. It allows us to see the fun they are having even as the characters they play become more and more frustrated.

Setting up the Sets

Noises Off allows the audience to see what happens both on and off the stage during a production. To pull this off, WRCT has built one of its most ambitious sets. There are six doors and a window which, when we arrive, looks like the interior of a home. For Act 2 the set gets rotated and the audience gets to see what the back of a set looks like. We also get to see the chaos behind the calm of a theatrical production.

Tickets Still Available

Performances are Thursday and Friday evening, May 1st and 2nd at 7:00 pm. with a Saturday matinee on May 3 at 2 pm. Then again Thursday and Friday evening May 8th and 9th at 7:00 pm and a final performance Saturday May 10th at 2pm. You can purchase your tickets on the theaters website, all the box office at 715-421-0435 or at the theater during their business hours or prior to the performance.

Links

For more information on the show and to hear more from the cast and crew, check out the interview with James J. Malouf on the Rapids Report.

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