The Vero Beach Theatre Guild is ringing in the New Year with 12 local ladies baring it all on stage in the hilarious yet moving dramedy Calendar Girls opening Wednesday, January 12. The inspiring true story based on the film by the same name, depicts a group of middle-aged Yorkshire women who produced a nude calendar to raise funds for a memorial settee to be placed in their local cancer ward’s waiting room. Ever since 1999, the calendar has been a colossal success and to this day they’ve raised millions for leukemia and lymphoma research.
Adapted for the stage by Tim Firth, the play has had multiple national tours in England, Canada, and Australia in addition to the hundreds of community productions produced around the globe after its successful try out at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2008.
Local Director Art Pingree had a vision involving sparkling stained-glass cathedral windows, gorgeous gazebos, and lots of sunflowers facilitated by the Guild’s resident Design Director Jeff Hall with his volunteer scene shop crew John Boerstler, Robert Klimeck, Gerry Quimbly, Bob Stevenson, Joe Jones, and Russ Sabac. Numerous props created by Debbie Brandauer and Lisa McNamee cover the set, and the ladies! Stage Manager Sue Nalepa and Artistic Director Jon Putzke are supporting director Pingree with this mammoth production.
Calendar Girls takes place over the course of 16 scenes spanning two years, and the tremendous task of costuming fell to Costume Chairperson Patty Migliaccio with Lead Costumer Coordinator Betty Morrow and team members Valeri Cooke, Mary Moriarty, Lucy Orihuel, and Kathleen Teay. The feat these ladies pulled off is another nod to the message of female empowerment this production projects.
The cast of 18 was assembled with bold and beautiful women, and a few good men, who come together to tell this uplifting tale of unexpected success. There’s Chris (Carol Hunsberger), Annie (Mary Palermo), Ruth (Kathy Straton), Cora (Kari Rodgers), Celia (Kasey McBride) and Jessie (Jill Hargrave) who are bored with how their local WI President Marie, played by newcomer Lynn Jackson, is running the chapter of their Women’s Institute.
When Annie’s husband John, portrayed by Bill Lembeck dies of cancer it creates a void that calls the ladies to action. Other characters include Lawrence the photographer, played by Jason Avery, Rod played by Jerry Reichert, Peggy Glennon as Brenda Hulse, Isabel Garrett as Lady Cravenshire, Barbara Sykes as Elaine, Phil Markley as Liam, and an ensemble of ladies including Debbie Chastain, Phillis Rock, and Louise Klier.
Inspired by this story the Vero Beach Theatre Guild has created its own fundraising calendar for 2022, available for purchase at the box office. This colorful calendar is loaded with photos of past productions along with staff and directors’ candid remarks about working at the Guild. It also includes audition and performance dates for both the Main Stage and new Studio Theater.
Calendar Girls run January 12 through 23, Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. Tickets can be purchased in person or by phoning the box office Mondays through Fridays from 10am to 2pm at 772-562-8300 or online. Please be advised this production contains mature themes and language that some may find objectionable and is not recommended for those under 13. For tickets and complete information please visit verobeachtheatreguild.com.