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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington theater brings laughter with Grumpy Old Men
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WASHINGTON— Don’t let the title fool you. Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, the latest production presented by the Washington Community Theater and Harp Players, is a fun feel good story all can enjoy with plenty of laughs to be had.
“It's a show about a long standing rivalry between these two men that have become grumpy,” Director Lori Wiley said of Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, “It's funny. It's got lots of lots of comic moments. Of course, lots of music and dance, but tender moments too.”
Originally a film from 1993 turned into a musical in 2018, Grumpy Old Men tells the story of feuding elderly next-door neighbors John Gustafson and Max Goldman. Their rivalry is intensified when a new woman moves to town and captures the infatuation of both grumpy old men.
“A new woman enters the scene and kind of stirs up that rivalry,” Wiley said of the central conflict of the musical which takes place in the setting of Wabasha, Minnesota.
Amidst the 50th anniversary of the Washington Community, this musical was chosen as a way to celebrate a group who has been putting on productions for years along with bringing a joy filled show to the community.
“I think people really are looking for laughter and fun and the Washington audience, I think most audiences, enjoy comedy musicals,” Wiley said, “It was just kind of a great little bit of light to infuse this season with.”
Rehearsals for the musical began near the end of January. There are 17 cast members, 20 plus production staff members, and 22 set changes. Challenges are common for any production but a true team effort has handled any adversity they faced.
“Everybody here that's involved with this, from all of the tech people, fantastic, and the cast and everybody involved. It takes a village to put this on,” Wiley said.
A production where every character sings and dances is aiming for a more mature audience with it being labeled as PG-13.
“I think it's pretty tame but there's some innuendo,” Wiley said about the musical. “Adults will understand and kids probably won't. I think it's a great family event with kids that are a little older.”
Grumpy Old Men: The Musical will be performed at the Washington Community Theater from March 20-21 and 27-28 at 7:30 pm and from March 22 and 29 at 2:30 pm.
“It's just great to have all different kinds of people involved and there's a lot of power in people,” Wiley said. “We're all different. We've all come from different opinions, ideas and so on, just coming together and uniting to bring some joy. There's just power and uniting and putting positive energy out there.”
You can buy tickets at https://www.wctheater.com/buy-tickets/
