OUTLOOK - They are multi-talented individuals committed to community theatre, and along the way they have built friendships they cherish. This is the continuing legacy of Equinox Theatre, a group that has been bringing live theatre to Outlook for more than 25 years.
After having to be dark for 26 months because of the pandemic, the group is getting set to bring the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown to the stage. Organization president and show director Delwyn Luedtke said, “We were looking for a way to emerge from many months of shutdown and Maureen felt that this heartwarming, family show would be a great way to do that.”
Maureen Weiterman and Equinox Theatre go hand-in-hand. “I’ve been here since the very beginning,” she said. “It’s been a long time and it’s been great.”
Maureen has been involved in all aspects of production including acting, singing, directing, set design, costumes and more. “Acting is the most stressful,” she said. “When it comes to directing, I’d have to say the show Annie was a favorite. It was amazing. I’ve done costumes forever and I like to do them. In another life I might have worked in a costume room for the ballet or opera.”
Favorite past credits include Fiddler on the Roof and The Sound of Music. “I love musicals, and I loved all parts of putting those productions together.”
SOME TYPECASTING?
In You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Maureen plays Lucy van Pelt who she describes as a bossy little 5-year-old who thinks the world revolves around her. “What she does has to be right, correct and proper. Some people might say it’s a bit of typecasting,” she said with a laugh. “She’s so fun and I hope I do her justice.”
What happens off the stage has enriched her life just as much as what’s happened on it. “Being with these people is so great. I have made some lifelong friends who I love very much through this group and that’s been the blessing of it all.” She is also thrilled that Equinox has served as a training ground for young performers, including castmate Trason Ridgewell who is playing Snoopy in this show. “He’s going to knock the socks off of everybody. I’m in awe of him.”
MUTUAL RESPECT AMONGST PERFORMERS
That respect is mutual according to Trason. “Anytime I can be in an Equinox show I jump at the chance,” he said. “Working with all of these people is amazing. They have all been doing this for many years and I get to learn from them. It’s a really special experience for me.”
Anne of Green Gables was his initiation into Equinox Theatre. “I was a lot younger. It was one of the first shows I had ever done and it showed me how much I loved theatre.” Then in 2018 he played Flounder in The Little Mermaid. “I loved The Little Mermaid. I got to ride around on a little hover board all around the stage. That show was really fun.”
He is now preparing for the role of Snoopy. “I play Charlie Brown’s faithful dog who has an imagination beyond himself and he goes on all sorts of crazy adventures. He’s quite philosophical at times.”
Trason is looking forward to putting this show in front of an audience. “It is such a funny show. It has so much humor it is enjoyable for all ages. I can say that because I am the youngest here by many years and I find the show so funny.”
NOT ON THE PIANO THIS TIME AROUND
Shelley Luedtke has been involved in many past productions but this time around has taken on a different type of involvement. “I’ve always been at the piano,” she said. Among her favorite shows are Christmas Survival Guide, White Christmas, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. “I love doing musicals and being the accompanist is a great experience, but this time around I have been cast as Peppermint Patty.”
It requires a different approach to the show. “When you accompany you need to be on top of the entire score and you work with every cast member, every song and every scene transition. Focusing on one character has been really interesting and given me a different perspective on the production.”
“The material is timeless,” she remarked about this production. “It’s funny and it’s heartfelt. One moment there is a rousing song, and the next will bring a lump to your throat.”
Accompanying this musical is Sheri Lovrod who has been at the piano in the past but also in some memorable onstage roles including a humorous monologue in All the Kings Women and as Ursula in The Little Mermaid. “Looking back on other shows I’ve done, I really enjoyed the monologue because I was alone on stage and didn’t have to wait for anyone else’s cue. But then conversely, I loved The Little Mermaid because of the number of people it took to lift my costume on the stage. It was a team effort each time I came on and off the stage!”
She said Charlie Brown is a great show. “It’s very sweet, heart wrenching, heartbreaking and heartwarming.”
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown will be on stage Friday May 27 at 7:30 pm, Saturday May 28 at 7:30 pm and Sunday May 29 at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $20 and are on sale at Outlook Printers.
