Inaugural performance: Dinner theater show to take stage May 18
The Cape Coral Italian American Club is presenting its first ever dinner theater show on May 18, titled “A Little Something for the Ducks.”
Performed by the Sand Flea Players, the romantic comedy is the story of a widow and a widower who meet at a duck pond. They strike up a conversation while feeding the ducks and the plot follows the journey of their relationship.
Anne Palmer, the founder of the troupe, is the director of the show. She combined “A Little Something for the Ducks,” written by Jean Lenox Toddie, with a second play by Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor for the end result.
“When I was researching for something light and funny, I found the ducks, but it was too short,” Palmer said, adding that she continued her search.
“I found the other part; they fit very very well,” she said. “It was perfect.”
Barbara Becchino plays Irma Wexel, and Dick Steele plays Samuel Lewis.
“I’m kind of a toughy,” Becchino said of her character.
The play is set in 1981 in a retirement community, or group home.
“It’s an older couple, but the younger people can relate to it,” she said.
There are a handful of scenes, including the pond and Samuel Lewis’s apartment, and the costumes were relatively easy with the limited cast.
“The costumes are very very simple,” Palmer said.
Both wear professional attire, except for Irma when they go dancing.
“Of course, she’s all dressed up,” she said of the scene.
As of Wednesday, there were no problems and rehearsals were a go.
“There are only two actors,” Palmer said. “We are doing it different than if there were four or five actors – we meet very, very, very often.”
Tickets are $35 per person and reservations are required.
Seating for the show is first come, first-served.
A cash bar will open at 5 p.m. for cocktails, followed by a five-course buffet dinner at 6 p.m. The performance will start at 8 p.m. in the Elegante Room.
Executive chef Kristopher Bailey, who formerly worked at The Edison, is employed by the club full-time and prepares all the menus and meals.
Steele explained that the Cape Coral Italian American Club was previously approached about hosting plays, but club officials were not interested.
“No one in the past ever picked up on it,” he said, noting that this is the club’s first performance and play. “That’s the thing that’s exciting.”
“Apparently, if it goes well, they will continue to do it every month,” Steele added. “That’s exciting to me that there will be a venue here for players.”
Both Steele and Becchino are Cape residents.
Palmer acknowledged Wednesday that she is a “little bit nervous.”
“There’s a dinner around it – there’s not only the play,” she said of the show. “I want to do the best, so the people are interested in coming back.”
“We want to succeed,” Palmer added.
If the play is well received, a repeat performance will be held May 19.
“If we have lots of people, then we can do it again,” she said.
To make a reservation for “A Little Something for the Ducks,” call (239) 542-6515. For more information, visit: www.ccitalianamericanclub.com.
The Cape Coral Italian American Club is at 4725 Vincennes Blvd.