By Kim McDarison
The cast of “All Together Now!,” a musical revue with performances scheduled Friday and Saturday, took the stage Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Fort Atkinson for a full dress rehearsal.
It was the second time the cast of 25 members had assembled at the United Methodist Church, 320 S. Main St., and the first time they performed the full show, said revue director and Fort Atkinson Community Theatre (FACT) Board of Directors President Jason Teeter.
As cast members took the rehearsal stage Tuesday and hit their marks, robust and emotion-filled sound resonated throughout the theater.
The 90-minute revue is meant to bring joy to audiences as they celebrate with cast the return of live community theater after an extended COVID-19-related break. The show also seeks to deliver a message of inclusivity, Teeter said, adding that “All Together Now!” is a celebration that reaches beyond Fort Atkinson.
“All Together Now!” is a global celebration providing an opportunity for schools and theaters around the world to locally produce and perform an exclusive musical revue, Teeter said.
The concept was developed by Musical Theatre International (MTI), a global theatrical licensing company. For this performance, the company granted theaters the rights to perform 35 songs from its repertoire of popular musical tunes. The selected songs, along with their performance tracks, have been provided to event participants royalty-free. The only stipulation was that performances must be held between Nov. 12 and 15, Teeter added.
Some 1,600 venues, representing 36 countries and 50 American states, signed on to participate.
In Fort Atkinson, Teeter said, after holding auditions in September, he chose 17 songs from the list of 35. Each was selected to fit and showcase the talents of his performers.
The FACT cast of “All Together Now!” includes performers from Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Janesville, Lake Mills, Whitewater, Waukesha, Johnson Creek and Palmyra.
Some 22 members came to the cast through the auditioning process, Teeter said. Three others, including Teeter, are members of an a cappella group.
To bring the show together, Teeter said, rehearsals were held at different churches in Fort Atkinson. Cast members worked both individually and in groups, practicing some 12 to 15 hours each week for the last five weeks.
Teeter stepped into the role of revue director after the FACT board expressed interest in joining the global event.
A former elementary and middle school music teacher, Teeter holds a degree in choral music education earned at the University of Illinois.
Music began as his profession and computers were his hobby, but in 2000, he said, he reversed course, making music his hobby and computer IT his profession.
Serving as the revue’s director put his training as a teacher to use, he said.
“I was excited about the show,” Teeter said, noting that FACT’s last live performance was a play called “Gaslight,” performed in September of 2019. Typically, the group puts on a spring youth production, summertime musical and fall play. COVID-19 placed theatrical plans on pause.
For Teeter, the show is also a family affair: his daughter, Amelia, and wife, Holly, who is also a FACT board member, are performing in the revue.
After auditions, Teeter said, he wanted to make sure the performance could include everyone, so he matched music, looking at each cast member’s skill and range, working to provide the best opportunity for each individual to shine.
“I love setting them up to have an opportunity to shine; I’m very proud of that, and that’s what I love about community theater; we are there to celebrate theater, enjoy it, and perform. We want to be inclusive and celebrate everybody’s talents,” he said, adding that a musical revue provides that opportunity.
“If a play has eight roles and 15 audition, well then everyone can’t be in it, but a musical with a chorus gives us more opportunity,” he said, adding that he likes finding shows that include a chorus because he can then find room for everybody.
“I am thrilled with how the cast turned out,” he said.
In producing the show, Teeter said, he has been aided by an assistant director, Niina Ajango Konz, who is also the FACT Board of Directors secretary.
In her role as assistant director, Teeter said, Ajango Konz has been responsible for costuming, along with a range of housekeeping duties, including public relations and organizing rehearsal space in churches around Fort Atkinson.
“She has done an amazing job,” Teeter noted.
The group is also aided by 19-year-old sound technician Coltrane Lucas.
Looking ahead to this weekend, when asked what he hoped audience members would take away from the performance, Teeter said: “I hope it is a joyful evening with everyone enjoying the music and celebrating theater. I hope there is joy in seeing performers live on stage again and watching community theater come to life in Fort Atkinson.”
The show also sends a message of inclusivity, he said.
“Costumes are chosen to make a transition from black and white in the beginning of the revue and moving to ‘pops’ of color, and by the end, the full rainbow is represented.”
The transition, in broad terms, is meant to convey the concept of inclusivity.
“We want to celebrate everyone,” Teeter said.
As Teeter watched Tuesday’s dress rehearsal, an expression of satisfaction was ever-present on his face.
During rehearsals, he said, “I love listening and getting goosebumps because what they are doing is awesome. I’m just proud of them, and I’m proud of this show — it’s awesome.”
As a director, he said, the most challenging part is coordinating all the parts.
“The performers had to learn how to dance and sing at the same time, which is not something a lot of these people are used to,” Teeter said, adding, “I love working with the singers and seeing how they progress from initial run through to today. I love seeing that growth, and watching them take ownership of their songs, and seeing that confidence grow.
“The teacher is still there; that’s how I was trained.”
Performance times and information
Performances of “All Together Now!” will be held at the United Methodist Church, 320 S. Main St., Fort Atkinson, Friday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 13, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The show is free, with donations kindly accepted, and open to all.
Donations, in any amount, can be made at the door of the theater or online: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?donation=fact.
Cash or credit cards can be accepted at the door.
Monies raised will be use to fund ongoing FACT expenses and a FACT-supported scholarship.
Masks are requested, and will be available at the door for anyone who might like one.
Patrons are asked to enter the church through the west side door. Parking is available on the north and west sides of the church.
Ushers will be on site to help people find the theatre and seats.
Different from previous FACT performances, Teeter said, the show does not provide an intermission and bake sale items will not be available.
Cast
The cast of “All Together Now!” includes:
Stephanie Aegerter
Madeline Buchta
Molly Button
Cathy Daly
Molly Ebel
Tessa Fitzsimmons, choreographer
Annalis Goeschko
Norm Goeschko
Kaile Goodman
Anne Grover
Christine Hamele
Alexia Klein
Jason Konz
Niina Konz, assistant director
Kassie Kuchen
Eric Lonsdale
Amy Lothary
Paul Lothary
Brenda Nitardy
Becky Schultz
Tim Stachowiak
Grae Szabo
Amelia Teeter
Holly Teeter
Jason Teeter, director
Jodi Ratcliff, emcee
To learn more about FACT, visit the website: https://www.fortfact.org.
“All Together Now!” director and Fort Atkinson Community Theatre (FACT) Board of Directors President Jason Teeter, at right, gives some staging advice in advance of Tuesday’s full dress rehearsal.
The cast of “All Together Now!” practices taking a bow during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
Tim Stachowiak performs “Pure Imagination” during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
Molly Ebel performs “Matchmaker” during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
Amelia Teeter performs “Matchmaker” during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
Two photos above: Dancers fill the stage and floor during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
Annalis Goeschko performs “Tomorrow” during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
Cathy Daly performs “The New World” during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
Tessa Fitzsimmons performs “She Used To Be Mine” during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
Becky Schultz performs “I Dreamed a Dream” during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
Two of six “Seize the Day” performers work on stage.
Two of six “Children Will Listen” performers sing during Tuesday’s rehearsal.
Holly Teeter, at right, sings “Wouldn’t it be Loverly?”
Amy Lothary is an exuberant “Mary Poppins” as she sings “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”
Paul Lothary takes center stage.
Revue director Jason Teeter, at center, is applauded by performers during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
Revue director Jason Teeter watches from the floor as performers take the stage. He later expressed pride in the cast for a job well done.
The cast of “All Together Now!” assembles Tuesday for dress rehearsal. Performances of “All Together Now!” will be held Friday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 13, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The show is free, with donations kindly accepted, and open to all. Donations, in any amount, can be made at the theater door or online: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?donation=fact.
Kim McDarison photos.
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