The Show Must Go On Bangor Community Theatre ready to perform ?Kiss Me, Kate? despite low audition turnout

In March, when Bangor Community Theatre held auditions for next week’s production of “Kiss Me, Kate,” Missy Babineau, president of the board and a performer in the company, was surprised at the number of people who showed up. Or didn’t show up.

Typically, BCT organizers have seen more than 80 hopefuls line up at auditions for the annual musical. This year, only 35 people tried out for “Kiss Me, Kate,” a popular 1940s musical scored by Cole Porter and featuring hit songs such as “Too Darn Hot” and “Brush Up Your Shakespeare.” The number of auditioners was just enough to cast the show, which opens Friday, May 20, and runs through Sunday, May 22, at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono.

“It’s scary when you hold auditions and only 10 people show up,” said Babineau. “We were concerned in recent years when we saw a decline in audience attendance. Now we’re seeing a decline at auditions.”

Thanks to the 35, “Kiss Me, Kate” will go on with a cast led by director Doug Meswarb, with musical direction by Lud Hallman and choreography by Heather Astbury. BCT has been presenting shows in Bangor for more than 60 years, and its board isn’t about to stop. Community theater relies on that very spirit of indefatigability. But it also relies on the generosity of people who are willing to give up their evenings, weekends and free time.

Although the audience can still expect the same good-time theatrical experience out of the show ? “It’s very funny stuff,” said Babineau ? community theater leaders in the area have noticed that casting a large production from a pool of local talent has become a challenge in recent years.

Earlier this year, the Grand Auditorium in Ellsworth held auditions for “Annie Get Your Gun.” So few people showed up that producer Robert Libbey scrapped the large-cast musical in favor of “Nunsense,” which has only five cast members.

“There are a lot of other activities going on,” said Libbey. “People are busy, and it takes a lot out of you to do this stuff. I think there may be fewer people willing to do it.”

Libbey said that some actors, including him, have become more discriminating about doing shows because of the difficulty of balancing full-time jobs and scheduling demands. Musicals require about eight weeks of rehearsals, which may start out as one or two nights a week, but usually require six or seven, plus daytime hours, by the end of the rehearsal period. Some shows run for only three nights, as in the case “Kiss Me, Kate.” At the Grand, shows run for as long as three weekends.

But scheduling demands may not be the only reason actors have spread themselves a bit thinner.

“It used to be when you did a show, people showed up in big numbers because they wanted to be part of the community,” said Ken Stack, who has directed musicals in Bangor and Ellsworth. “These days, people seem to have to weigh it more carefully. Life is getting a little more difficult with rising gas prices and downsizing of industries. People have to work harder to put food on their tables. To commit to a community production, they have to think about the impact it has on their family and work lives.”

Sometimes auditions are also affected by the choice of shows. Libbey had no problem casting “Nunsense,” which has an all-female cast, or “Into the Woods,” a magnet for dedicated fans of composer Stephen Sondheim.

Babineau said that the BCT board chose “Kiss Me, Kate” for its broad appeal to both audiences and actors. The musical numbers range from belting comic numbers to high soprano showcases. Also, the chorus is more in the foreground than in many shows, making it possible for more cast members to have a chance to sing, dance and shine. It helps, too, that the show hasn’t been done in the Bangor area since a University of Maine production in 1998.

“It’s important now more than ever to get people out to support Bangor Community Theatre,” said Babineau. “Life is so serious. People are very busy in their jobs. You can’t forget to do the things you love to do and have fun. To see a decline in the audition process made us sit up and take notice. We know we need to look at ways to continue to bring musicals to the area. We’ve had a wake-up call. It’s an important thing to a lot of people, whether they perform in a show or are entertained by it. It’s the escape from everyday life. In the end, that’s why we all keep coming back to it.”

Bangor Community Theater will present “Kiss Me, Kate” at 8 p.m. May 20 and 21 and 3 p.m. May 22 at the Maine Center for the Arts. For tickets, call 581-1755. Alicia Anstead can be reached at 990-8266 and aanstead@bangordailynews.net.