Civic Appeals To Fantasies For Saturday's Fund-Raiser

Civic appeals to fantasies for Saturday's fund-raiser

By CHRISTOPHER POTTER

NEWS ARTS WRITER

Ever wanted to star in a play? Ever fantasized about dancing with celebrities from Marie Antoinette to Marilyn Monroe to Captain Kirk? Ever secretly wished that somebody would sketch your portrait and make it look as though you belonged in the Sunday funnies?

All these goodies can be yours if you attend “Carnival Comes to the Theatre,” Ann Arbor Civic Theatre’s spring fund-raiser. The benefit extravaganza holds forth Saturday from 7:30-11 p.m. at Civic’s new home at 2275 Platt Road. Admission is $15, with all partygoers receiving $10 in free tokens for various events.

“This year we really wanted to do something very theatrical, something that represented Civic, and would bring people to our new building,” says Fred Beutler, a member of the Theatre’s Board of Directors and Chairperson of “Carnival.”

Thus showbiz will very much be the name of the game Saturday night, in addition to more standard offerings of Bingo and other sports. For instance, there’s “You Can Be a Star,” hosted by Civic actress extraordinaire Susan Morris. Three teams of actors and directors will stage three impromptu plays, each lasting about 10 minutes. Then the plays will be done again - this time with the audience playing the roles.

“People can bid auction-style for various parts they want to play,” says Beutler. “Then the new cast gets made up, costumed and rehearsed by the director. Then they’ll put on the play. We hope people will be courageous enough to do it,” he laughs.

“Carnival” will also feature ballroom and taxi dancing, complete with orchestra and disk jockey - only with a celebrity/historical twist. For the right price, bidders will get the thrill of dancing with the fantasy figure of their dreams, thanks to some talented impersonators and Civic’s resourceful costume and makeup departments.

In addition to the previously mentioned luminaries, “Celebrity” dance guests will inClude Scarlett O’Hara, Rhett Butler, Elizabeth Taylor, Prince Charles (looking rather-lonely these days), and even Ben Franklin.: Celebrants can also have fun being photographed wearing their choice of some two dozen costumes and hats from virtually any period of history.

“We’d like to preserve as much as possible the ambience of theater,” says Beutler. “And we maY use some of the things stored in our scene shop to make things look a little special. For example, we have a big Roman arch that might provide entrance to some of the carnival booths. We want to add a special flavor.”

Those with a taste for the ridiculous will have the opportunity of submitting their noble (?) profiles to artist-cartoonist Roberta Fallon, who specializes in drawing on-the-spot caricatures. Available as well are games including Bingo, run by professional Bingo callers from Bums Park Senior Center.

There’ll also be catered food and desserts, popcorn, coffee, and flowers for sale. All proceeds will benefit Ann Arbor Civic’s new theater and headquarters, yet Beutler stresses that “Carnival’s” most important function is simply to show off what Civic Theater can offer. “We’d like to have people see it for what it is, as a community resource,” he says.

“Carnival Comes to the Theatre" will be held from 7:30 to 11 p.m., Saturday at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, 2275 Platt Rd. For information call 971-0605.

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