<u>TONIGHT ONLY</u>: If you're available, come see The Mystery at Twicknam Vicarage at Soapbox Theatre Company. I have to substitute for an actor tonight, so I will be playing such roles as a psychiatrist, a nurse (in a rather fetching white dress), a nun (in a not-quite-as-fetching black ensemble) and a eunuch (if I have the balls to play it. As it were.)

Performances will take place at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division ? 8th Floor, Elgin on Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 and Sundays at 3:00, April 13-29. For reservations and information, visit www.SoapboxTheatre.com or call (630) 728-0980.

If you can't come tonight, why should you see the show on April 22, 27, 28 or 29?

Reason 1. The show is good and it's only $12.50, as opposed to $15 or $18. Here's the rundown on audience reaction so far:

<u>April 13</u>: Laughed some; not nearly as much as the Director (I) hoped. But huge applause at the end, so they were Smilers, not Laughers.

<u>April 14</u>: Laughed politely. Polite applause at the end. Friends preferred to discuss the weather. Director close to wrist-slitting.

<u>April 15</u>: Laughed all the way through. Director threw away the straight razor.

<u>April 20</u>: Director changed the running order of Act I. This worked. Huge laughs all the way through the show. Razors are a thing of the past.

Reason 2. It's a new company and resources are meager, but they're very good, conscientious and rational to work with. If you're in community theatre, you should check them out as a possible place to play.

Reason 3. For the people who moan and groan that community theatres keep doing the Same Old Things -- put your money where your mouth is. Last night I was discussing with the producers the possibility of Our Town or Romeo & Juliet (shows studied in schools), followed by Nunsense. If that happens and you complain about it, I will track you down and force you to listen to the cast CD of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat until blood pours out of your ears -- which should be about 8 or 9 minutes into the CD.

Reason 4. The space has been renovated for arts use by the city of Elgin. How many municipalities are supporting theatre these days? Help show them they're right to do things like that.

Reason 5. Craig is in a dress tonight. I'm sorry, did I say that already?