'Wonder Bread Years' to Hit Performing Arts Center

For the City Times

The Arts Council of South Wood County is halfway through its 40^th anniversary season.

With near sell-out numbers for every show so far, that trend promises to continue as John McGivern of PBS presents The Wonder Bread Years on Friday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, located at 1801 16^th St. South in Wisconsin Rapids.

It’s great fun to remember growing up in the “good old days”…holiday traditions, snacks, family road trips, relationships with parents…These are just a few memories brought back to life by McGivern. Some of the stories he shares are based on his own personal experiences, but the script was originally written by Seinfeld writers.

While aimed at baby boomers, young and old alike will enjoy the reminder of what life was like before screens consumed our time. A fresh and funny salute to Americana, this fast-paced, hilarious production gracefully walks the line between standup and theater.

This show not only restores a much-needed sense of wonder, but leaves audiences laughing and savoring the past like never before. What really makes him appealing in Central Wisconsin, however, is the fact that McGivern is the third born of six children from a working-class Irish Catholic family in the Midwest, so his stories are easily relatable.

McGivern has been the keynote speaker for The Alliance for Children and Families, The State Department on Aging, The Children and Family Service Agency of Wisconsin, The Wisconsin Defense League, Christ Child Association, Foundation for Children with Cancer, and Employee Assistant Professional Association. He has been fortunate to entertain companies such as Time Warner, Northwestern Mutual, Kohl’s Department Stores, Baird, Acuity, and M&I Financial.

Tickets are $31 dollars and are available at the Arts Council, located at 1040 8^th St. South, Suite 101, Wisconsin Rapids from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

You may also call 715.424.2787 or order online at www.SavorTheArts.org. If 10 or more tickets are ordered at the same time, a 15% discount is applied.

Local sponsors of this performance include Solarus and Stifel.