Comedy on tap at DPRCA with "I'm Just Wild About Harry"

It's time to go way back to the turn of the century, the 20th century that is. Dakota Prairie Regional Center for the Arts (DPRCA) presents "I'm Just Wild About Harry," opening Friday, March 18 at the Old Church Theatre in New Rockford.

This exciting musical romp based on a late-1800s play features nostalgic favorites such as "Daisy Bell (A Bicycle Built for Two)," "Aba Daba Honeymoon," "You Made Me Love You," and, of course, the title tune, "I'm Just Wild About Harry," written in 1921 and later recorded by Judy Garland.

It's 1910 in Milwaukee, and young whipper snappers Jack and Harry need a chaperone so they can entertain their sweethearts. They convince their friend Benjamin to impersonate Harry's Aunt Lucia, a rich widow from Brazil. Hilarity ensues when Harry's aunt actually arrives on the scene, and this musical farce of mistaken identity climaxes in a delightfully happy conclusion.

The cast of nine has a mix of familiar names and new faces.

Former First Lutheran Church pastor Doug Nemitz has come out of retirement and back from Montana. He's in residency at DPRCA, for the time being, playing Jack's father Frank. Nemitz previously played the millionaire in "Gilligan's Island" and the elder Ralphie in "A Christmas Story."

Dr. Jay Bauer returns to the DPRCA stage after a three-year hiatus. His character, Guido Spettigue, is the overbearing guardian and uncle of Harry and Jack's girlfriends.

"This is a show you're going to have to see to believe," DPRCA's Artistic Director Elliott Schwab quipped. He plays Benjamin, Harry and Jack's friend who impersonates Harry's aunt to distract Guido.

Brenda Bachmeier and Tessa Hartl round out the familiar names on the cast list, playing the actual Aunt Lucia and her traveling companion, respectively.

Next week, we'll feature interviews with the new faces gracing the DPRCA stage for this production, Holden Davenport (Jack), Raymond Cronley (Harry), Hannah Bullock (Katie) and Jessica Patrick (Margie).

The show is adapted from the play, "Charley's Aunt" by Brandon Thomas. First performed at the Theatre Royal Bury St. Edmunds (UK) in February 1892, it broke records with an original London run of 1,466 performances.

As for DPRCA's run, there are 12 performances scheduled over four weekends. Choose from 7:30 p.m. shows on Fridays and 2:30 p.m. matinees each Saturday and Sunday.

The Garden Bistro, located in the basement of the Old Church Theatre, will be open from 5 - 6:30 p.m before evening shows, and from noon - 1:30 p.m. before matinees. Serving flatbreads, salads and wraps, the Bistro is a great place to socialize before the show. Reservations are required, so book your seats and your table at the same time by calling the DPRCA Box Office at (701) 399-9634.

Show tickets are also on sale online at http://www.dprca.com.