2013 Staff Update

     Tom Bartelme and Diane Hansen, General co-chairs of Heart-A-Rama have announced recent additions to the all volunteer staff. Wade Marks will be the new set designer and set painter. Marks is a professional graphic artist best known for his album cover designs for indie bands. He also designs t-shirts. His work can be seen at www.ceaserobot.com.

     Kim Kuehnl will long be associated with her enthusiastic portrayal of a beer keg in the annual fund-raiser for the American Heart Association. Beginning with the 2013 production, Kim will head the make-up committee.

      Costume coordination and design will be done by Tiffany Decker. Decker has outfitted casts at both Uw-Manitowoc and UW-Sheboygan. She is also an active member of SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) creating a range of medieval apparel for the group.

     Hundreds of volunteers step up each year to make Heart-A-Rama a reality.  Sara Schuh will be coordinating and scheduling many of the on-site event sales teams. Audiences will recall Sara’s heartfelt presentation at last year’s show in which she spoke of the phenomenal work done at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital to correct her four year-old daughter Rayna’s rare heart disorder.

      The theme for Heart-A-Rama 2013 will be “13” according to the shows co-producers, Bev Denor and Brad Zimmermann. “This was an easy theme to choose and to work with. After all, we only have a year ending in 13 every one hundred years,” Zimmermann explained. The show will feature suspenceful icons such as Alfred Hichcock, a raven, and a host of black cats, along with skits about good luck and bad luck. The producers promise plenty of audience participation, and prizes provided by the Wisconsin division of the American Heart Association. Biff Hansen will MC. He will be joined by his wife, Sheila, for several spirited musical numbers. Ron Stokes, renowned local artist and owner of Gallery East ,has designed the logo for the 2013 poster, notepads, program and commemorative shirts.

     Despite a challenging economy, the work of over 200 volunteers, along with sponsors, advertisers and all who attended, the 2012 six night program raised over $90,000.00. Heart-A-Rama presented The American Heart Association with a check for $82,650.00. A portion of funds raised stay in Manitowoc County. This year, AED’s, automatic external defibrillators, were donated to Healthy Teeth, Healthy Community, Faith Lutheran Church in Valders, and First Reformed United Church of Christ in Manitowoc. The Manitowoc Police Department was given new batteries and pads for a previously donated AED. Non-profit organizations desiring an AED can send requests to Heart-A-Rama’s local funds coordinator, Sally Rasmuson at sally@rasmuson.com,

      Heart-A-Rama 2013 is scheduled for April 25, 26, 27 and May 2, 3, and 4 at the J.E. Hamilton Community House in Two Rivers.

More Theme Info

We Reveal our Theme for 2013

We have a theme?

Stop back on July 3rd for a teaser announcemnt about our 2013 theme!

Sara Schuh Shares Rayna's Story

Commercial Take 1...in which a director learns a few lessons

Please find it in your hearts to consider this commercial an experiment, and know that the director takes total responsibility for the production values you are about to endure. In fact, many lessons were learned in the process. Wanna know what they are?

1. Just because someone knows a tiny bit about directing plays, does not mean that s/he can direct video.

2. People in the background of a shot do not disappear just because you want them to.

3. Fancy hand-held camera work may work for seasoned professionals, but does not look so artsy in a warehouse setting with everyone sitting in a straight line.

4. Characters in a straight line...not so good.

5. Never hand a friend a camera s/he has never used before and expect perfect results.

6. Be sure to thank cast over and over for...coming to the first and all rehearsals with a team spirit...for making every moment together an "our" experience...for sharing ownership of the skit with the director...for singing pretty, and looking silly.

7. Be sure to thank the crews...costumes, lights, sound, make-up, stage crew...all 200 volunteers who come together each year and selflessly throw themselves into this event knowing they will be facing sleep deprivation, and some high anxiety as the creative process evolves.

8. Be sure to thank patrons, advertisers, and everyone who fills a seat. Without you, our work would be meaningless and a lot less fun.

Potch on the Dupa Rehearsal

Here's a sneak peek at a little piece of the HAR musical. It's in three parts this year...."Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday Morning History Class," staring YOU as Miss Tizzy's students.

"Potch on the Dupa" is from Part II and features Lloyd Gosz on accordion, Chuck Allger and Laurie Magyar as the parents, and Emily Knier and Terry York as the kids. Connie Dorner plays piano.

Special thanks to Richie "Wenzel" Krueger and the "Happy Schnapps Combo" for letting us use and putz with one of their world famous polkas.

It's not too late to get your tickets...you want to see the finished product, right...all prettied up with lights, sound and set from Chris, Chad and Kevin, right? Be there. Miss Tizzy will be waiting! A potch on the dupa to yous, ya hey!

April 26, 27, 28, May 3, 4, 5.

Tickets available at Fox's Piggly Wiggly in Manitowoc and at Inman's Jewelers in Two Rivers.

Public Ticket Sale

For the first time in many years, Heart-A-Rama is holding a public ticket sale.

Monday, March 12

6:30-7:30 PM

Lincoln Park Field House

Get your tickets early before the night you want is gone!

So...what can you expect this year?

A banjo

An accordion

A flock of seagulls

A potch on the dupa

A bevy of beauties on bales of hay

A mayor, a city manager, and other notables

A duel!

Exercise instruction

Founding Fathers

American Heroes

And some favorite friends

Delbert Wondered...

Dear Heart-A-Rama,

Every year, I watch you all on stage having so much fun, and in my dreams, I wonder...could I do that? Do I dare stand up with the famous and infamous among you? I cannot sing. I cannot dance. My high school drama teacher suggested a quiet career, perhaps as a librarian. But, I am a pretty good looking guy, don't you agree?

So tell me, do you think I am Heart-A-Rama worthy? What will I have to do at auditions?

Ever your admirer,


Delbert

Dear Delbert,

Come on. Give it a try. We'll be watching for you at

7 pm, Thursday, Feb. 9

or

Sunday, Feb 12 at 12:00

in the Kadow Hall of the Capitol Civic Center.

Auditions are easy. You'll read from a script in a small group. Everyone will be seeing the script for the first time, so no worries.

Then you sing. Alone. Most people sing "Happy Birthday," but every once in a while, someone comes along with a song that is full out rehearsed, but we sure don't expect that.

There will be an info sheet for you to fill out with name, phone...all the usual stuff. Be sure to bring a list of your conflicts along so we know how much time you will have for rehearsals.

If you get cast in one or two skits, you will probably have three or four rehearsal, and then two dress rehearsals. If you are cast in the musical, there will be about six practices.

Dates: In addition to rehearsals scheduled by your director, you need to come to dress rehearsals on Sunday April 22 (afternoon, exact time TBA) and Monday April 23 at 7:00.

Of course you need to be available for all show dates: April 26, 27, 28, and May 3, 4, 5.

So, Delbert, there you have it. Brush off your tap shoes and join us. Oh, and please dress appropriatly for the weather.

HAR