Fun for a cause

By Casey Gillis

Published: March 27, 2008

The Little Dinner Theater Players are taking their latest production on tour.
They’ve partnered up with the Children’s Miracle Network of Central Virginia to present the “Miracle Tour,” a series of benefit dinner theater events in Roanoke, Lynchburg and Smith Mountain Lake.
Performances of “Contempt of Court” are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke; 7 p.m. April 4 and 5, and 1 p.m. April 6 at the Holiday Inn Select in Lynchburg; and 7 p.m. April 18 and 19, and 1 p.m. April 20 at Mariner’s Landing at Smith Mountain Lake.
“The crew has been saying on a number of different occasions (that) we should do something for a nonprofit,” says Tony Quaranta, director of the acting troupe.
Quaranta knows Jack Whisler, director of the Children’s Miracle Network of Central Virginia, and approached him about the partnership.
“I’m always looking for new things that are fun for people to participate in,” Whisler says. “We raise money for a serious cause, but we like to have fun doing it.”
The Children’s Miracle Network raises funds and awareness for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. There are 170 in the United States and Canada, and two in our region: Virginia Baptist Hospital in Lynchburg and Carilion Clinic Children’s Hospital in Roanoke. All of the funds raised stay in the region and provide medical equipment, emergency transport and special services used in the treatment of babies and children.
“My youngest son was born premature, so I was really pleased when Tony said we were going to be working with the Children’s Miracle Network,” says Cheryl Carter, who is in charge of the Little Dinner Theater’s marketing and
promotions.
They chose “Contempt of Court” because it is conducive to a larger crowd, she says.
As always, it involves a lot of audience interaction — a staple of all Little Dinner Theater shows.
The play features three civil court cases, involving everything from a contested will to a medical malpractice suit, and has the audience acting as the jury. And a few other parts.
“We will have to pull people out to be witnesses,” Carter says.
“That’s what makes it so fun. It’s interactive,” she adds. “The same show is different every time because you never know what a person is going to say.”
The show will occasionally veer off track, but she says the script has enough leeway for it.
“Hopefully, we’re familiar enough with it that we’ll kind of find our way back.”
The actors mingle in character before the show and between acts. Carter says that’s when they figure out who is willing to participate.
“We don’t pick on people who don’t want to play,” she says.
Tickets to the show are $45 each and include a buffet dinner, salad, bread and dessert. The dinner menu will change at each venue, and a cash bar will also be available.
“It’s a great way to offer something different,” Carter says. “It’s not just for us. We’re doing this to benefit them, so we really want it to succeed. They’re taking a chance on something different and something unique.” J