Another winning performance for community theater

With the addition of Netflix, Hulu and many other Internet streaming systems in addition to traditional cable, satellite and broadcast channels, Americans have more choices than ever when it comes to home entertainment.

Thankfully, McCook residents know a good thing when they see it, turning off the TV and turning out to see five performances of the Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre Association production of Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun."

It was great to see newcomers get in the act like Tyler Rambali, who shone in the title role with her father, little brother and mother in supporter roles, but a crowd favorite was SWNCTA veterans like director Charles Coleman, Greg Hofman, Michael Mills, Greg Hepp and Lamon Poulson as the cowboys attempting to entice leading man Brenden Funk out for a night on the town.

But those were just a couple of examples of the delightful scenes and broadway-quality music presented by the dozens of dedicated community theater volunteers on stage and behind the scenes.

Congratulations on another great show and one more reason for Southwest Nebraskans to be proud of their people.

But don't think the Fox Theatre is going to be quiet for long.

The music of the "greatest generation" will fill the historic building Tuesday, when the Glenn Miller Orchestra presents two concerts, courtesy of Arts Across Nebraska and the Kimmel Foundation.

Area schools have been invited to a performance at 1 p.m. Tuesday, but the public can attend as well, space permitting.

Another performance will be presented at 7 p.m.

Admission is a free-will donation to the Fox Theater renovation project.

To make sure there are plenty of future actors in McCook, SWNCTA helps sponsor the Missoula Children's Theatre performance of Rapunzel, set for Saturday, April 11, at 3 and 7 p.m. at the McCook High School Auditorium. Tryouts will be 4 p.m. Monday, April 6, at 4 p.m. at McCook Elementary.

And looking ahead, SWNCTA's fall production, the Neil Simon play, "Lost in Yonkers," is set for Oct. 17-18.

So if "Annie Get Your Gun" piqued your interest in community theater, keep a lookout for tryout information or get in touch with a SWNCTA member to find out more.

We wouldn't be so bold as to predict a professional acting career for any of McCook's current crop of community theater actors, but neither would we be surprised!