West Bend Theatre Company and Chix 4 A Cause are excited to announce a partnership in 2021 with the production of “Calendar Girls.”
In addition, the dates for “Calendar Girls” are confirmed for May 21-23, 2021, at a venue to be announced at a later date.
“We’re ecstatic,” said Jillian Clark, CEO/Founder of Chix 4 A Cause. “That’s the big word that I could use, ecstatic. It’s a long time coming. We’re really excited to see this come to fruition.”
Chix 4 a Cause is a nonprofit organization that provides support for southeastern Wisconsin residents battling cancer. It oversees a program called the Gifts of Love.
Gifts of Love are designed to provide financial and emotional support to individuals battling cancer. Each gift is unique to a person’s needs. It may include help with housing expenses, groceries bills, transportation costs, or certificates for a dinner out or a weekend away with the grandkids. Each and every gift is customized to the recipient. But all Gifts of Love share one common goal -- to help ease the burden of a cancer diagnosis.
“Calendar Girls” is based on the 2003 film of the same name. When Annie's husband dies of leukemia, she and her long-standing best friend resolve to raise money for a new sofa in the local hospital waiting room. With varying levels of encouragement, they persuade four friends and fellow members of the Women’s Institute to pose nude with them for an "alternative" calendar.
“This is a personal partnership for me, but one that will help many people in the community,” said Nancy Storrs, West Bend Theatre Company president. “In 2016, I was treated for lung cancer, and received a ‘Gift of Love’ from Chix 4 A Cause and met Jillian Clark. It helped me as I went on my cancer journey.”
Storrs added, “When my treatment was complete, I told Jillian that once I felt better, I wanted to ‘pay my gift forward’ through theatre by raising funds for Chix 4 A Cause.
“We're so honored to now have all of the pieces together, and make this project into a wonderful partnership with West Bend Theatre Company and Chix 4 A Cause.”
Founded in 2010, incorporated in 2017, the West Bend Theatre Company is a non-profit theater entity presenting live theater, camps, workshops and special events. The mission of the West Bend Theatre Company is to celebrate, enhance, and inspire by producing excellent theatre and by giving back to our community.
The West Bend Theatre Company annually performs Charles Dickens’ classic tale “A Christmas Carol” and sells out each year. In 2020, the shows are Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 11-13 at the West Bend Masonic Center, 300 N. University Drive, West Bend. Five shows are planned for 2021 – “Calendar Girls,” (May 21-23, 2021) “The Secret Garden,” “End of the Rainbow”, “Our Town” (September 2021), and “A Christmas Carol.”
For more information about the West Bend Theatre Company, as well as upcoming shows, visit our website: www.wbtheatreco.com. Be sure to also follow us on Facebook (@wbtheatreco), Twitter (@WBTheatreCo) and Instagram (@westbendtheatrecompany).