Community theater play to enter competition

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A one-act play produced at Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre will compete at the state festival in Feb.
Cast will perform “Tiny Beautiful Things” at a one-night fundraiser at 7pm Friday, Jan. 31 at Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre, 220 Third Ave. S., in the Centralia Center. Reserved seats are $10. Tickets are available online at https://wrctheatre.vbotickets.com/events, at the WRCT box office and at the door.
WRCT is sponsoring the group at the state community theater festival, Wisconsin AACTFest, Feb. 7-9, in southern Door County. The fundraiser will help pay for lodging for cast and crew. Donations are appreciated.
“We are excited to continue to rehearse and perform this play,” said director Mystique Macomber. “It is a joy to work with these talented actors, and we’re fortunate to be able to spend time together doing something we love.”
“Tiny Beautiful Things” originally was performed in Jan. 2024 in the Lois Cantin Studio Theatre at WRCT as part of the Director’s Showcase series. The play was set “in the round,” so audience members encircled the actors. The play has been restaged for the Main Stage and edited to meet the festival requirements. The fundraiser performance will mimic the festival setting, with a chance to ask questions of the cast and director.

For a couple of years, author Cheryl Strayed was online advice columnist “Dear Sugar.” She compiled some of the letters and her responses in a book called “Tiny Beautiful Things.” It was adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos.
Sugar is portrayed by Amanda Meidl. All of the letter writers are played by Cory Gavinski and Logan Macomber. Mozelle Stoiber was the fourth cast member in the original production but was unable to take part in competition. Technical support is provided by Alex Macomber and Nick Macomber.
“We are grateful to the WRCT board and Gretchen Powers, executive director, for their support and assistance. It’s exciting to take our show to the next level,” Mystique Macomber said.
The last time a WRCT play entered AACTFest was “The Gin Game” in 2016.
WRCT is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. For information about the theater including upcoming shows, go to https://www.wrctheatre.org/. For information about the state theater festival, go to http://www.wact.org/.