DeTour Students Will Present 'Dear Edwina' on Stage

DeTour students will present a pint-sized version of the musical "Dear Edwina" Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12, and a dinner theater presentation Sunday, May 13. Dinner theater tickets must be reserved by Friday, May 4.

The production will be the third DeTour Kids Cafe show directed by Dave Rhinard. It will be a Broadway Junior Musical script, similar to the School House Rock Jr. of 2005 and Annie Jr. of 2006 productions also staged by the Kids Cafe after-school group.

The performances are pared versions of popular Broadway shows, designed to introduce children to acting and singing.

"These one-hour shows . . . are just perfect vehicles for young performers, with great Broadway songs and stories written in appropriate key for young voices," Mr. Rhinard said.

He will be assisted by Jean Bloom, a DeTour choir director and music instructor. She is assisting students with vocal performances. Patti Soule, Sheila Crawford, Sara Stec, and Susie Rhinard are helping the students make props and scenery.

"Dear Edwina" is a Michiganbased musical about 13-year-old Edwina Spoonapple, who would do just about anything to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a- Palooza Festival. The story is set in the town of Paw-Paw, where her talented siblings have eclipsed her accomplishments until she fights to get into Advice-a-Palooza through song and dance. Her talents lie in leadership, singing, and providing advice, which have found a spotlight in the family garage, where she directs musical versions of the advice she gives neighborhood children. She is assisted by her musically-inclined older siblings, and a host of quirky friends and neighbors. Together they set out to tackle the world's problems, including proper birthday party etiquette and the correct way to set a table.

The show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. May 11 and May 12. Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, and $3 for students.

The Sunday dinner theater will include a picnic at 2 p.m., with baked chicken or hot dogs, potato or spaghetti salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, lemonade, and dessert. The show will be at 3 p.m. Ticket prices for Sunday are $12 for adults and $8 for children younger than 12. Dinner theater tickets can be reserved by calling Patti Soule at (906) 297-6390.

A veteran theater actor and director, Mr. Rhinard taught English and theater in Eaton Rapids before he and his wife, Susie, moved to DeTour Village. He acted, produced, and directed for the former True Grist Dinner Theater in Homer and has performed in or directed numerous summer productions in Cedarville and DeTour. He is also involved with the Eastern Upper Peninsula Fine Arts Council.