Cast members of Lumberjacks and Wedding Bells hope to see you at one of the shows over the next two weekends. Photo by Patrick Ashley
Cast members are about to embark on the 43rd year of the Monsignor Schnacky Community Players. This is a group of individuals who are your neighbors, friends, and community members. They are people that are the lifeblood and heartbeat of who this area’s residents are. When you look up on stage, you see people that you might see at Mendon Marketplace, the Cottage Hotel, Walmart, and or Wegmans. The unique trait that this group has is the fact that they are authentically themselves. And when you watch a performance by this great community group, you get a sense of “that could be me” Or “I’m sure someone so would love to be in this group.”
Monsignor Schnacky was one of the most humble and giving people many had ever met. His vision was to bring a community together on the coldest and darkest night and have them come and laugh with each other. Kathy and Travis Piper created the group. Hundreds have been a part of this theater troupe and thousands have been in the audience year after year. Fellowship, it’s a thing. The need for human connection and friendship surpasses any pandemic, economic crash, or even a bad day. The Monsignor Schacky Community Players remind us that it’s ok to laugh and be merry even if the world gives us a reason not to be.
The play this year is called Lumberjacks and Wedding Bells, book by Tim Kelly and music and lyrics by Larry Nestor. Our hero, Asa Mercer, was paid to go to Boston to get brides for the lumberjacks back in Washington Territory. One of those lovely ladies is our heroine, Charity Jones, who is a schoolteacher and very encouraging to all that come across her. Thaddeus Crook, our notorious villain, is a self-proclaimed mayor as well as looking to get elected to Territorial Legislature. With the help of Ma Scrubbs and her children, who are trappers and don’t really like the lumberjacks that much, he will attempt to discredit Asa and his good work.
The swooning and wooing along with the cheers and jeers will be happening at St. Catherine’s of Siena Catholic Church on Friday, February 2nd, and Saturday February 3rd at 8:00 PM. Sunday, February 4th at 1:00 PM. And then the next week, Friday, February 9th at 8:00 PM and Saturday, February 10th at 1:30 and then again at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $15 apiece. If you order eight or more there is a significant discount. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Laughter and popcorn are free. Hope to see you there!
