Theater group kicks off 40th year

Apr. 13—The Nuremberg Community Players kick off their 40th year this weekend presenting "Keeping Up Appearances."

Under the direction of Todd Statuto, this British television comedy comes to life, live onstage at the Emerson Theater in Nuremberg. Roy Clarke, the original writer and creator of the television series, gave special permission for the performance, marking the first time the show is being performed in America by a nonprofit community theater.

"I am very excited to start off our 2023 season with such an amazing cast and crew," Statuto stated in a news release. "Everyone has been working very hard getting ready for this weekend. We actually built a full size stage on our current stage for this show, which is quite impressive."

"Keeping Up Appearances" is set in the town's church theater where a tatty 1930s whodunit murder mystery is being rehearsed. The main character, Hyacinth Bucket, barrels around, interacting with all of the other characters from the show, resulting in comic complications.

Diane Rumble portrays Hyacinth, whose primary aims in life are to impress people, particularly of the upper and upper-middle class, and to give the impression that she is of high social standing despite her fairly average status. Emmet, Hyacinth's neighbor, played by Bobby Maso, is a producer and director for the local amateur operatic society and the director of this murder mystery Hyacinth is determined to complicate.

Tisha Demshock is in the role of Emmet's sister, Liz. She is weak willed and always fearful of ever telling Hyacinth no. Hyacinth's sister, Daisy, and Onslow, her brother-in-law, played by Brenda Sachleben and Eric Pugh, respectively, are the lower-class relatives Hyacinth is ashamed of, along with her sister, Rose, performed by Becky Nenstiel, is another family member who, living with Daisy and Onslow, threatens Hyacinth's social prestige.

Rounding out the family is Daddy, played by Wayne Seely. Hyacinth loves her father dearly; however, his antics and constant requirement for attention put her social standing at risk.

Carl Rumble steps in as the recently divorced Mr. Milson, who is a socially awkward computer nerd. Stacey Forsythe is Mrs. Debden, a snobbish charity chairwoman whose charity Hyacinth desperately wants to belong.

Ann Bonacci and Barbara Bartusik are the art directors whose art show is disrupted due to Emmet's play.

Show dates are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by calling 877-718-7894.