Oh oh, looks like Karla (Regional Vice-President of the American Heart Association-Wisconsin Affiliate) is in trouble! Appendicitis? Belly ache? Why the elfish grin, Tom (Tom Bartelme, HAR general co-chair)? And of course, that is a Shirley Temple in Diane's glass (Diane Hansen, HAR general co-chair), right? You decide.
But peeps, I'm warning you, tickets for HAR 2016, From the Cutting Room Floor are going fast. If you haven't gotten yours yet, this little preview might get you rushing out the door......
In what world will you find Ms. Sputnik, a tiara adorned stress therapist,
displaced seagulls and disgruntled citizens joining forces to inspire,
inform and entertain? On the Lakeshore,
that combination of colorfully obtuse characters can only mean one thing,
Heart-A-Rama, the wacky annual fund-raising event pulsating with volunteer
energy is surely imminent.
From the Cutting Room Floor, hits the stage at
the C.E. Hamilton Community House in Two Rivers on April 28, 29, 30 and May 5,
6, and 7. Heart-a-Rama (HAR) 2016 marks
the 46th consecutive year of fund-raising fun for the American Heart Association-Wisconsin
Affiliate. Beginning as a two-night event born from the
imaginations of a northside Manitowoc neighborhood group dedicated to community
service and volunteerism, the group’s current organizational teams are keeping
the beat steady and strong. HAR 2015
raised over $91,000, 10% of which remained in Manitowoc County
with the rest donated to the AHA-Wisconsin Affiliate.
Hours
of frenzied activity fill the weeks leading up to the show. Casts learn song and dance routines,
carpenters and artists wield their respective tools to create sets, props and
the iconic “Best Seat in the House” toilet seat to be auctioned each night
before the show opens. Well over 200
volunteers step up each year to wait tables, hawk candy, shirts and paper, set
and program lights and sound, gather and sew costumes and ready the myriad of
components needed to create the high octane infused atmosphere greeting patrons
on each of six show nights. “We’re busy
now,” commented co-producer/director, Brad Zimmermann, “but what people don’t
realize is that within a month of closing HAR 2016, we will be back at work
planning and writing next year’s show.”
The
show’s early formula of olio acts and old-fashioned melodramas complete with
damsels in distress and mustachioed twirling villains has evolved into a
classic variety show format. “Recently,
we have committed to including an educational skit and a celebratory skit in each
show. We also like to experiment a bit
each year, and surprise audiences with something a bit outside our norm.”
explained co-producer/director, Bev
Denor.
The wildly popular Heart-A-Rama
News featuring ace reporter,
Tom
Brokeheart returns this year,
along with another show staple, a game show parody. Of course, local facts, fads and foibles will
have their moments on stage as well.
Lisa Novachek,
director of “What’s Your Beef” a radio talk show parody, grew up listening to
local radio, and has been kicking around the idea of a skit based on some
of the listener call-in program for many years. HAR
audiences will have a chance to see and hear from some of my favorite
"characters" that have become local legends to those who tune in each
day," Lisa said.
Sponsors and guest contributors
galore – Holy Family Memorial, Aurora,
Inman’s Jewelers and the Monday Night Quilt Mafia – just to name a few – offer
their support and special talents to the on-going success of this Lakeshore charity/entertainment event.
As always, tickets are going fast
but some are still available at the Manitowoc Piggly Wiggly and at Inman’s
Jewelers in Two Rivers. Doors open at
6:30. Food is available for purchase
before the show courtesy of Fred
Schnell and his culinary crew.
Keep up to date on the latest HAR announcement on this site and on the HAr Facebook page.
