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‘The Nightingales’ offers a funny yet heartfelt glimpse into family life

The cast of the comedy, “The Nightingales,” from left to right, consists of Elaine Heidemann, Jodi Kamyszek, Mike Marx, Theresa Gibson, and Bill Powell at the piano. The play continues Friday and Saturday at Rogers City Theater, with the last performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

ROGERS CITY — This family puts the “fun” in dysfunctional.

“The Nightingales” provides adults a comedic evening as they peek into the living room of a show business family to find out what they are up to “off stage.”

Shenanigans and chaos, that’s what.

Rogers City Community Theatre presents the play, with a cast full of seasoned actors who draw the audience into their dramatic lives.

Written by Peter Quill, “The Nightingales” is set in the 1950s.

Bill Powell, whom Alpena Civic Theatre fans will recognize, plays Jack, entering the stage in his fancy dressing gown and fuzzy slippers. His theatrical personality matches his silky gown.

Set in the living room, we watch as the characters go about their daily lives in London, popping in for breakfast, tea, and the occasional mixed drink, sometimes for breakfast.

Mike Marx and Elaine Heidemann play Jack’s parents, Charlie and Beatrice, who can’t stop talking about the good old days, when they, too, were performers, just like their son, Jack. In fact, they can’t stand being away from him so much that they move in with him, much to his chagrin.

Theresa Gibson plays Maggie, who performs alongside Jack in the evenings. She often has a dramatic tear to shed about her latest failed romance, and Jack seems to always have a shoulder to cry on.

Housekeeper Geraldine is played by Jodi Kamyszek, who always has a kind gesture or word to share.

When Jack’s mom takes off in the middle of the night, leaving a note, her husband is devastated.

Love never seems to go exactly how you planned it, but, if you’re open to change, it tends to work out for the best.

Find out how “The Nightingales” cope with all the chaos, keeping family at the center, no matter what happens.

In addition to Director Karl W. Heidemann, other production members include Assistant Director and Stage Manager Charlotte Heidemann, and tech crew Riconda Lamb, Baylee Lijewski, Noah Hanson, Judy Fisher and Cliff Fisher.

Performance dates for “The Nightingales” are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

All performances will be held in the handicap-accessible, historic Rogers City Theater at 257 North Third St. in Rogers City. Tickets are $14 for adults and $6 for all students. Tickets will only be available at the theater box office, one hour before curtain time for each performance. Masks and social distancing are encouraged. For more information, call 989-734-7368.

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