Photo and story by Melanie Wiltse, Special Contribution to the City-Times

Finding mature men to volunteer to participate in theater can be a challenge in any community.

Only a single man showed up for the initial audition for “Dairymen- The Moo-sical” which opens in Stevens Point on May 30th.

“I was really disappointed,” said Melanie Wiltse, the composer of the score and producer/director for Dairymen. “Even though I know it is difficult to people interested in a new show that is work of complete unknowns.”

Brenda Strack, Melanie’s sister, had the inspiration for the script and the sister’s collaboration has had two previous production runs in other areas of the state.

“We’ve planned for this to be the last production run before we license the play out to other community theater groups to perform. The play has been developing for the last three shows. We make changes/additions/edits to the script and score to strengthen both music and story. But I think we are about finished. The work of self-production is exhausting,” Brenda Strack said.

Melanie wasn’t dissuaded by the poor turnout at auditions. It took months to finally complete the cast roster.

She had help from several men who are members of the Northern Gateway Chorus, the barbershopper’s group, after she attended rehearsal there and made an impassioned plea for singers.

“Good women are everywhere,” she laughs “but a few good men are hard to find.”

Dairymen has a full complement of good men now, ages 20 to 80. They include a retired dairy farmer, college students, Sentry employees, a furniture salesman, a private investigator and several other retired men of varied and interesting backgrounds.

“This promises to be the best production we’ve had. The vocal talent in this area is outstanding. We have three new songs in this show, written to showcase our singers,” Wiltse said.

The show boasts 22 original songs in a variety of styles from ragtime to country. With titles like “Topside of the Turf”, “The Big Red Tractor”, “Tape and Lube”, “Ya’ Gotta’ Love Cows”, “The Assets Song, and Dairymen’s Quar-teat”, you’re sure to laugh. A few poignant moments complement the story in “Never Say Goodbye”, “Morning Reprise”, and “Field of Stars”.

The men in the cast have been challenged, particularly by the choreography.

“None of them have any dance experience but they keep trying. We have some time yet before the curtain opens for a crowd,” Wiltse said. “But a bunch of men attempting a kick line in rubber barn boots is going to be a hoot even if they aren’t even close to a broadway chorus. We’ve all laughed so much at rehearsals, we are about laughed out.”

The show is directed by Paul Marzalkowsi, with musical direction by Sharon Gilbert and Doris Blanche. Cast includes: Mike and Mary Peplinski, Amanda David, Lucas Molske, Josh Geise, John White, Dave Deckleman, Nancy and Pat Keller, Bob Prosch, Lee Bartz, Jacki Stroik, Anne Helmke, Jo Sieser, Ronda Wadina, Bonnie Beverstock, Jack Edgerton, Pat Hogan, Chuck Buchs-Hammond, Wendy Minch and Emma Kroening and Anne Helmke.

A cheese tasting will be provided at some of the performances courtesy of the Portage County Dairy Promotion Committee.

The show has received much interest in the agricultural community which is rarely represented or portrayed in theater. Stories on the show have appeared in The Wisconsin Agriculturalist, Wisconsin Farmer, The Country Today and Progressive Dairymen.

The SPASH High School FFA Chapter is assisting with hosting the production and a portion of ticket sales will go to the Chapter. Performances will be held at the Stevens Point Area High School Theater, 1201 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Performances of Dairymen: The Moo-sical are:

May 30th, 7:30 PM
May 31st, 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
June 1st, 2:00 PM.
Seats are $15.00. $13.00 for seniors and students

The show will run again in August during Farm Technology Days.

Reserve your seats at (715) 570-1157 or buy tickets at the door.

The show website is www.dairymenthemoosical.com