It's called The Last Mass at St. Casimir's
ESCANABA -- Players de Noc in Escanaba is presenting its final show of the season. It's called The Last Mass at St. Casimir's, and it's a heartwarming comedy drama that looks into the lives of a working class Polish family in 1977 Buffalo, New York.
You won't see a lot of action scenes in the production. What you will see is something you can relate to in your own community.
The play explores a family being forced to deal with unresolved family issues.
“It's got a little bit of everything, and it’s a reflection of life,” says cast member, Mark Cowman. “It's certainly not a show that's just all about getting laughs. It's not just about depressing you and making you think serious thoughts."
The Pazinski clan lives above a bar. The children have come home to celebrate the last mass at St. Casimir's.
Director, Jim Soderberg, says the plot will hit close to home for locals.
“That's something that we can relate to in Escanaba having gone through that very same experience with St. Patrick's,” says Soderberg. “The consolidation of diocese, the sale of a church, the changing dynamics of a community, and the shrinkage of parishes is something to relate to."
He also says the cast members perform for the sheer love of sharing their art. However, attracting audiences to community theater is becoming tougher.
“We've been experiencing some relatively smaller houses than we've had in the past years, and I think that's due to a downturn in the economy and a lot of competition for entertainment dollars," Soderberg said.
You still have three chances to be entertained and show your support.
Tickets for any of the seats are just $10 and they're available at the Bonifas Arts Center from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tickets are also available half an hour before showtime. You can still catch the production May 3-5 at 8 p.m.