For over 40 years my wife, Grace, and I have been a part of Alpena Civic Theatre. We have seen many memorable performances, but few have reached the level of this presentation.

Call it direction, call it set presentation, call it blocking perfection, call it acting preparedness — call it anything you would like but all of those things added together were something to behold. I cannot remember an opening performance that received a standing ovation until this one. Also, there is a vocalization within theatergoers express when something is beyond pale – a very loud “Wooo.” There was plenty of that.

Five, count them, first timers to Civic’s stage. They were great. Did you pay attention to that? They were great. Very seldom have I ever wanted to see a show again, but this one would weigh my appetite except that I might be depriving someone else of having that chance. We shall see.

Do you want to experience something that this little town on the eastern shores can thump its chest with pride? Do you want to see what young people can do given the chance? These youngsters should walk with pride of accomplishment – they were great – I want to see them again and again. I asked Morgan Suszek how he developed his accent and he said, “I watched a lot of YouTube.”

Modern technology at its best.

Go see this show. You will leave elated.

W.L. MORRISON,

Ossineke