Twist & Shout • October 2023

PUBLISHER

terry christensen tchristensen@messengernews.net

HR/ACCOUNTING

melissa wendland mwendland@messengernews.net

DESIGN COORDINATOR

nick manwarren nmanwarren@messengernews.net

SALES DIRECTOR

leanne darr ldarr@messengernews.net

jody kayser jkayser@messengernews.net

brittney benson bbenson@messengernews.net

EDITOR

bill shea bshea@messengernews.net

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

tom tourville

lori berglund

COPYRIGHT 2023

Twist & Shout is published monthly by ogden newspapers inc. All content and opinions expressed may not be those of the publishers.

*All photos submitted to Twist & Shout become property of Twist & Shout. We are not responsible for their return.

We can stop HIV, Iowa.

HIV treatment has come a long way, and it’s extremely effective.

If you’re living with HIV, getting medical care and taking your HIV medication will help you live a long, healthy life.

Staying on your HIV treatment almost eliminates the chance of transmitting HIV to your partners.

There are programs to support you and your family and help pay for your care and treatment.

Learn more at stophiviowa.org

MAKIN’ IT

FEATURES LARGE, TALENTED CAST & AN IOWA PLAYWRIGHT

clearly, to oftentimes feel in the midst of the action. We also learned how to create “magic” in a space that was not designed for it—so who knows how we might utilize that in the future.

The other exciting advantage for our audiences is that parking remains a breeze! The BHS is located on the south side of the campus and can be accessed easily from the Kenyon Road entrance. Parking is directly across from the Bio Health Science building—in the Iowa Works parking lot. Parking is also easily accessible in the AST Parking Lots 3 and

and reveal insights into surviving the “high school experience” It is my favorite genre—a Dramatic Comedy written by Cynthia Mercati, and one that also invites moments of song, dance and musical underscoring which has become my signature wheelhouse for more than a decade now.

and our Center for Performing Arts is set to debut in the next few months! Our spring musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, will most certainly be in our renovated theater, and we are beyond thankful for the amazing community and college support for this monumental project. Our entire Iowa Central team is incredibly excited about how that new space will improve our students’ experiences—as well as the enhancements for audience enjoyment.

In the meantime, we find ourselves utilizing the space that has proven itself a tremendous asset as a performance venue. I love the intimacy that the smaller Bio Health Science Auditorium brings from our cast to our audience. Many patrons last year commented on how wonderful it was to see and hear so

As I was reading plays this summer— with the returning and incoming talent in mind as always as well as the staging constraints of the BHS—I was thrilled to discover yet another piece which could not only feature a large, talented cast, but also offer amazing solo monologues, unique slow-motion and freezing scenes

My first reading of this script made me immediately place it in my “To Direct” pile. I am thrilled when a play is wellwritten, when it grabs me at the start and takes me to a terrific closure. I am an optimist and realist by nature, so I appreciate both the honesty of the characters’ struggles and the hope in the end. Interestingly, I discovered in my research that the author is a playwrightin-residence at the Des Moines Playhouse Theatre. Her plays have won numerous awards and have been performed in all fifty states, so I’m excited to connect with her and invite her to our performances and rehearsals.

Submitted by Teresa Jackson, Director of Theatre

The time is set as “The Present,” but it was written in 1988. Ashley Garst, my Technical Theatre Coordinator, and I have decided it would be fun and play even better if we actually did set this in the late 80’s. Since I graduated in 1979, it will be fun for me to “be young again”—even if only momentarily onstage! Interestingly, my good friend, Stacy Hansen who is now the Director of the Iowa High School Speech Association was actually in Cynthia’s very first production of this show at the Playhouse. What a small, connected world.

Here is how the script is described in the catalog of Samuel French which produces the show: Makin’ It is a play about the ordinary kids you see walking down any hallway in any school. Yet, for all their travails, the kids

come to understand their own inner difficulties and how, truly, they are all the same, searching both to understand and accept themselves, as they strive to make it through four years of high school. At the heart of Makin’ It are a number of monologues in which the characters step out of the action to address their thoughts to the audience.

So—mark your calendars and reserve your seats soon for Iowa Central’s fall production of Makin’ It which will run October 19-21 at 7:00 p.m. and ending with a matinee on October 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the BHS Auditorium. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for students with Iowa Central faculty, staff and students attending for free. Tickets will be on sale at the Iowa Central bookstore or online: the link to the website is https:// secure.iowacentral.edu/bookstore/Details. asp?ProdID=1277&category=6 . The other option is to log on to www.iowacentral. edu/bookstore and click on tickets--on the top row menu bar in the middle. Tickets will be available at the door, but due to a more intimate setting—with fewer seats available each night—we highly encourage reserving seats ahead of time so that we can accommodate all patrons who want to attend.

MAKIN’ IT

CAST LIST

Students:

Scott Barrows: Ryan Madden

Brooke Benedict: Reese Pederson

Karl Swanson: Hugo Harp

Fellow Athletes: Joey Chanthavisouk

Adonis Henderson

Codey Berg

Ben Meyer

Libby: Gabby Schumacher

Brainiac Friend Group: Sarah Cummins

Laynie Knecht

Cailey Segebart

Anna Fisher

Piper Graham

Hunter Dunbar: Maddox Williams

Alex: Collin Vik

Travis: Ben Stinnett

*Partiers Friend Group: Ty Schluter

Pat: Elle Clark

Barb: Annaka Holthaus

Sharon: Lesley Chavez

*Cheer Friend Group: Rianna Vivens

Addison Johnson

Abby Meyer

Kaylan Reames

Buzzard Fishbeck: Dennis Morgan

Jen: Emma Davis

Flag/Band Friend Group: Lexi Flatness

Cindy Lopez

Dani Abens

Allee Hinote

Howie: Joshua Madden

Monica: Laura Heisterkamp

Fellow Loner: Ash Wacholtz

Len: Andy Sweazey

Burnout: Sabrina Horton

Heavy Metal Friend Group: Jayce Leininger

Chloe Speck

Julia Sande

Corly Barrows: Maddy Vinchattle

Adults:

High School Staff:

Vince Carnelli: Sam Opfer

Mrs. Cozlowe: Isabel Negroni

Ms. Healy: Shelby Swartzendruber

Secretary/Announcer: Anyston Henning

Parents:

Ed Barrows: Camden Karageorge

Bev Barrows: Grace Minor

Sybil Dunbar: Rebecca Rainwater

Rehearsal Assistants: Hailey Davis, Kendra Morris, Taryn McKimmey

live/silent auctions, raffles, and a performance by a hilarious comedian.

Your ticket for the evening includes a delicious dinner of roast beef or chicken, with the sides being cheesy hashbrowns, green beans, taco salad, pasta salad, broccoli cauliflower salad, and lastly a dinner roll.

Drinks will be available for purchase at the bar, and there will be an assortment of scrumptious desserts that will be auctioned off during dinner.

This year’s Comedian is Kevin Horner. Horner is a veteran comedian, ventriloquist, and magician. His timing, energy, and quick wit reactions to all audiences are guaranteed to inspire uproarious laughter.

“He has a unique style and voices that will have you rolling with laughter,” said Regina Suhrbier, Outreach Coordinator of CHC. “Plus, he will have some very funny audience participations so do not be scared to engage with him.”

On top of all the usual services and clinic needs, some of the funds raised will be put towards the purchase of an RV that will be capable of providing dental services to our communities.

“With this mobile unit, we would be able to provide preventative dental services such as dental care exams and cleanings, as well as restorative services like fillings and dentures,” added Suhrbier.

While the ticket is the main contribution to the fundraiser, there will be many other ways you can help support the Community Health Center’s efforts even if you cannot attend the event.

The online/silent auction will begin on Friday, October 20th at 5 p.m. Many of the auction items will be available to the public for bidding online all week leading up to the fundraiser. The auction will end on Saturday during the event.

The online/silent auction has tons of amazing locally donated items, from gift certificates to restaurants to local services and goods.

“We are grateful to our community for their donations.”

They will have some special larger items part of a live auction that you can preview online but must be present at the event to bid on.

“Items will also be able to be viewed in person at Shimkat Motor Company from October 20 – 28 and online at the same website you purchase tickets from,” said Suhrbier.

by hailey brueschke

The raffle tickets will be $25 each or 5/$100 and can be purchased from the health center staff, at Shimkat Motor Co and online, at www.biddingforgood.com/ chcfortdodge. The purchase of tickets gives guests a chance to be entered to win one of three prizes to be drawn for live at the event on Saturday.

The prizes include an $800 Shimkat prize ($500 gift card & auto detail), $500 Fareway gift card, and $500 grocery gift card to Hy-Vee.

The Community Health Center of Fort Dodge annual fundraiser, “Costumes & Comedy” will be held on Saturday, October 28th in the showroom at Shimkat Motor Co, 3126 5th Ave S.

Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 at the door. They are available for purchase at the Community Health Center, Shimkat, and online at www.biddingforgood.com/ chcfortdodge.

Costumes are encouraged, but not required.

Pharmacy, Aetna, USW Utility Group, Tjaden Electric, Michael Teachout, Dorothy & Associates, Casey’s General Store and Midstate Plumbing.”

For more information, to donate, or become a sponsor, please call Regina Suhrbier at the Community Health Center, 515.576.6500.

“Our fundraiser is so fun! It’s a great night out for a great cause. If you can’t come to the event you can still support by buying raffle tickets or bidding on the online auction.”

a look back

By Tom Tourville

His Story Was More Than Just Tying A Ribbon

Tony Orlando At The Laramar

Orlando also had four records that “bubbled under” Billboards Top 100, they included: “Chills”-1962, “Shirley”-1963, “I’ll Be There”-1963 and “Beautiful Dreamer”-1962 that was covered by the Beatles. One of Orlando’s songs was recorded by Chicago’s New Colony Six with “I’m Just Waitin’-Anticipating For Her To Show Up” which went to No.#1 in Chicago.

While his singing career was taking place, he also produced other artists in the studio. Some of these included: The Yardbirds, James Taylor, Blood, Sweat & Tears and close friend, Barry Manilow.

Tony thought a name change was needed for his recording career, so he created the name Tony Orlando & Dawn. Under this new name, he used session singers to create the hit “Candida/Look At” (Bell Records #903). It went to #1 internationally and became a true monster hit in 1970.

But his career does not stop there, as he was a part of Fort Dodge’s music story as well. Tony came to the Laramar Ballroom in October of 1961 with the Recording Stars Dance Party tour that also included: Ral Donner, Janie Grant, The Prep Tones, Ray Stevens and Bobby Vinton. Just think of the stars that little show produced. It’s hard to comprehend all the great entertainment that the Laramar gave to us all.

Did you get to see Tony live at the Laramar?

A couple of months ago a friend that lives near Humboldt, IA asked me what I knew about Tony Orlando. Of course, I replied “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree.” In looking at Tony’s career, there is so much more to his life in music than just that one song. It was time to do some research. Some of his musical life took place in Fort Dodge. Let’s look back at Tony.

Born Michael Anthony Orlando Cassaviis in 1944 in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. Tony always loved music and singing. Better yet, he loved to write music. At age 15, he was singing in doo wop groups and recording demos for various labels. Soon he got the attention of famed record producer, Don Kirshner. Kirshner signed Orlando as a song writer along with his new song writing friends, Bobby Darin, Barry Mann, Connie Francis, Neil Sedaka and Carole King to name a few. He was writing with the “A” team.

Kirshner also had him do recordings. At age 16. he recorded his first hit “Halfway To Paradise/Lonely Tomorrow’s (Epic Records 5-9441). This gem came out in 1961 and Orlando was on his way to music stardom. It was this hit that brought him to Fort Dodge.

In 1973 Tony added Thelma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent as permeant members of Tony Orlando & Dawn. Their next hit was another No #1 seller with “Knock Three Times/Home” (Bell #938).

The big one came in 1973 with their release of “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree/I Can’t Believe How Much I Love You (Bell #318). This song became the top selling record for the year of 1973 worldwide and has become one of the biggest pop hits recorded of all time. Based on the popularity of this song, the group got their own TV show on CBS Television from 19741976.

The group broke up in 1978 and Orlando went on to an amazing solo career. During that time Tony won the “Casino Entertainer of the Year” award in Las Vegas, as well as owning the Tony Orlando Theater in Branson. MO.

Pulse THE S & H O U T ! LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR

18th Annual

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 - 10-4 I SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 - 11-4:30

SPRINGVALE FARM

2603 Lone Tree Road, Humboldt, IA

QUESTIONS: 515-368-3005

2023 Apple Fest

The Community Orchard

2237 160th St • Fort Dodge, IA

Hawkeye Community Theatre Presents

“The Curse of the Werewolf”

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Hawkeye Community Theatre

521 North 12th Street • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 8

Duo Republic

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

OCTOBER 12

OCTOBER 14

Daybreak Rotary

Chili & Cinnamon Roll Drive

Thru Supper

3:30 PM - 6:30 PM

First Presbyterian Church

1111 5th Avenue North •Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 15

Bingo

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

OCTOBER 16

Fort Dodge Senior High Choir & Orchestra Fall Concert

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

OCTOBER 4

Hawkeye Community Theatre Presents

“The Curse of the Werewolf”

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Hawkeye Community Theatre

521 North 12th Street • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 5

Hawkeye Community Theatre Presents

“The Curse of the Werewolf”

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Hawkeye Community Theatre

521 North 12th Street • Fort Dodge, IA

Emma Elsbecker LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Shiny Top Brewing

520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 6

Hawkeye Community Theatre Presents

“The Curse of the Werewolf”

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Hawkeye Community Theatre

521 North 12th Street • Fort Dodge, IA

Jared Benson

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

OCTOBER 7

State Marching Band Competition

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM • Dodger Stadium

1930 Elmhurst Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA

Quilt, Craft & Bake Sale

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 1023 South 27th Street • Fort Dodge, IA

Ribbon Cutting: Blanden Art Museum

4:30 PM

The Blanden Art Education Center

224 South 8th Street • Fort Dodge, IA

The Bird Hunters LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Shiny Top Brewing

520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 13

Larry Myer

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

Fort Dodge Middle School

800 N. 32nd Street • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 19

Luke Fox LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Shiny Top Brewing

520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 20

Salty View LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Shiny Top Brewing

520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA

Jive for Five

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

Wagon Rides To Pumpkin Patch

Petting Zoo

Pony Rides (Sat Only)

OCTOBER 21

515 Big Band Concert

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM • Historic Phillips Auditorium • 1015 5th Ave N • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 26

Mikey Dean LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Shiny Top Brewing

520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 27

Rod Johnson

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Soldier Creek Winery

OCTOBER 28

Costumes and Comedy fundraiser for Community Health Center

6:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Shimkat Motor Company

3126 5th Ave, South • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 28

Keifer Brandt LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Avenue • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 29

FD Choral Society Presents: A Round of Applause

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM St. Paul Lutheran Church 400 S. 13th Street • Fort Dodge, IA

OCTOBER 29

Iowa Central Photography Student’s are Hosting a Halloween Shoot

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Iowa Central Community College

1 Triton Circle • Fort Dodge, IA

Get FiT

LAST NIGHT! • OCTOBER 19TH

Over 60 events each month!

To become a member or let us know about an event contact:

• fdfinearts@gmail.com

Good Eats &Drinks

FAST-FOOD:

artistspot

Jefferson Fosbender

Age: 30 • Hometown:Fort Dodge, IA • Instrument: Guitar and Vocals

Country Jam, in 2022. Getting to play on a massive stage, in front of thousands of people, while also being in our hometown, was unbelievable! Beyond that, Stadium Dr. did a “mini-tour” of eastern-Iowa and Wisconsin back in May of 2023, which was also an incredible experience.

Who has the greatest influence on you musically?

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have always been my biggest musical influence. I grew up listening to their Greatest Hits album, and have always loved their songwriting style. Lyrically, I’ve always been drawn to folk artists like Bon Iver and Noah Kahan. Even now, a lot of my writing for Stadium Dr. is largely influenced by these artists.

If you had a chance to meet any performer/musician, alive or dead, whom would you choose and why?

Hands down, I would’ve loved to meet Tom Petty. I’d love to hear the stories of his time on the road, and the inspirations behind writing some of his biggest hits. I also imagine there are some pretty amazing stories from his time with the Traveling Wilbury’s, and hanging out with some of the biggest classic rock names of all time.

What are some of your musical accomplishments?

music?

Growing up, I always took the opportunity to join the choirs and theater performances at my high school, and later at Iowa Central. At first, I think I was more interested in spending time with my friends than I ever was making music. But that exposure to music, and that choral training, from a young age stuck with me and has given me the opportunity to join bands and write music as an adult.

What projects are you currently involved in?

My primary project is the Tank Anthony Band, where I play rhythm guitar and sing harmonies. I also recently started a folk duo with Alejandro Trevino, called Stadium Dr. That group has already released one single (Don’t I Know), and is set to release a full album by the end of 2023. And since 2016, I’ve been playing and recording with a group from Cedar Falls, IA, called Oakland. We have one album on Spotify (Between Now and November), and look to release our second album sometime in 2024.

Tell us about a couple of your most memorable performances or musical experiences.

My most memorable performance by far was opening for Big & Rich with the Tank Anthony Band, at the Downtown

Beyond the roles I’ve played on musical theater stages, and in bands, my favorite musical accomplishments have always been the songs we’ve released. No matter if dozens or thousands of people listen to our music, there is no better feeling than making art with your friends and being able to share that art with your community.

What is the most unusual thing to have happened to you during a show/performance either as a teacher or a performer?

I think one of the funniest moments came when I was performing at an Iowa-brewery. It was an afternoon show, and there were many young families hanging out on the patio. At one point, a little kid noticed that people were putting cash in my guitar case, and must’ve thought it was a community fund – he proceeded to come up and take all of the money out of my guitar case while I was playing a song. Luckily, his dad noticed and chased him down before the “little robber” got too far away!

What has been the hardest lesson to learn when it comes to music and performing?

The toughest thing about being a traveling/career musician is undoubtedly time management and finding a balance. It’s obviously incredibly fulfilling, but staying upbeat and healthy

while performing and constantly being on the road can also be challenging. It’s important to find time to recharge and stay motivated.

What are your hobbies?

Music has slowly become my largest hobby. But outside of that, I enjoy being outdoors, homebrewing, reading, and doing crossword puzzles while drinking coffee out of my favorite mugs.

What do you most enjoy about being a working musician in the Midwest?

The best part about being a musician in the Midwest is how welcoming and supportive our music community is. We hear so many stories of music scenes that are full of competition and bitterness, but here in Central Iowa, all of the musicians I meet always try to come out to other people’s shows and root on their peers. It’s very unique, but in the best way.

Fort Dodge Area Symphony Set for 2023-24 Season Four wonderful concerts throughout the year!

The Fort Dodge area Symphony opens on Sunday, October 15th, 2023, at the Middle School Auditorium. Called “Spells and Tales”, it will feature a Halloween-inspired concert filled with legendary tales and magical spells. The tales of Orpheus and Ichabod Crane are mixed with the adventures of a young wizard in training and Schubert’s mysteriously ‘unfinished” symphony. “And we would love to see audience members proudly sporting their finest Gryffindor, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin regalia!” Said Symphony Director Josh Barlage, Symphony Director.

The ever-popular Holiday Concert will be held on Sunday, December 3rd at 3:00 at the Middle school auditorium, where you’ll start out your holiday in Jolly Old London. There will be a setting of Dickens’ classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation from “bah, humbug to holiday joy. Actors from Comedia and Hawkeye Community Theatre join us for a semi-stages production where the dialogue is paired with music by Bizet, Borodin, Grainger, Butterworth and more.

On March 24th, you will be taken to the forests of Germany and Middle-earth, where you will embark on a journey of musical discovery. There will be Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, which was written when she was only 14 years old. This will be joined by music by Felix Mendelssohn, who conducted the premiere performance of Clara’s concerto. Also included in Brahm’s musical twists and turns of a familiar chorale melody, concluding with all the woodland sounds of Tolkien’s mythical saga. “We are pleased to feature pianist, Marianne Parker in this performance,” added Barlage.

The final concert of the year will be held on Sunday, April 28th, and will feature ‘Scenes of Seville”. Transported to southern Spain, with the overture from Beethoven’s’ s only Opera. The audience will then be treated to Bizet’s “Carmen”, which also takes place in Seville. Included in the season finale is Nebal Maysaud’s mystical ode to our great universe. The Youth Honors Recital will be featured prior to the concert, beginning at 2:25 pm. “We are truly blessed to have a symphony of this caliber right here in Fort Dodge,” said Symphony Board member, Anne Kersten. “If you’ve never been, I urge you to attend. You’ll be so happy you did. The talent is second to none.”

“I am so excited for the 73rd concert season of the Fort Dodge Area Symphony! I know I say that every year, but every year I am even more impressed with the program that Joshua Barlage, music director and conductor, creates to engage audience members of all ages. We are grateful for him and all of the Symphony players that come together each year to perform selections from different genres for all to enjoy.

I am especially excited for our third concert on March 24th, Music from Middle Earth, which will feature pianist Marianne Parker performing Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor on the Steinway concert grand piano which is under the care of FDAS via the Ann Smeltzer Charitable Trust.”

Hope Brown

Kiley Swanson

What are some of your hobbies?

I enjoy singing, spending time with my family, playing outside with my friends and reading.

What musical theatre/theatre shows have you been involved in?

I was one of the Three Little Pigs in Shrek The Musical JR. and I was a Zookeeper in Madagascar-A Musical Adventure JR. both through Stage Door Productions. I’ve also participated in the children’s choir musicals at my church for the past six years.

What do you most enjoy about singing?

I like being able to sing with my friends and telling a story through the words of the songs that I sing.

What has been your scariest moment

I was very nervous to perform the National Anthem this past summer for the Badger Fireman’s Ball because I was doing it by myself for the first time and I was worried about messing up such an important song. At first I struggled a little, but the crowd started singing with me and it helped me finish strong.

What are you most proud of when it comes to music/performing?

I am proud to say that I always give my all when I sing

Who do you look up to and why?

I look up to Gretchen Stanley because she’s helped me a lot and has accompanied me when I’ve sung at my church. Amy Champagne because she is my choir director at church and she makes singing a lot of fun. Lastly, my mom because she encourages me to do the things that I’m scared to do because she believes in me.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I would like to go to New York City with my mom to go to see a lot of shows on Broadway.

Walk us through a typical day in the life of Kiley Swanson.

Wake up at 6am, get ready for the day, say my prayers, go to

moviespot

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer

‘DUMB MONEY’ RECALLS GAMESTOP SQUEEZE, WHEN REGULAR FOLK PUT THE SCREWS ON WALL STREET

nurse between rounds.

That nurse is played by America Ferrera and she’s just superb, reflecting the rest of the cast of Pete Davidson, Vincent D’Onofrio, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley and Seth Rogen. Davidson, who can be uneven, here offers a standout comedic and dramatic turn. Dano is the calm, everyman center, instantly amiable. And Cardi B’s “WAP” is the delightful soundtrack connecting them.

The movie is at its most compelling when GameStop’s stock soars 1,600% — making potential investors into paper millionaires but leaving them anxious about whether to ride higher or cash out. There’s an almost religious belief in Gill and a visceral we’re-notgonna-take-it-anymore attitude from dumb money to the status quo.

The populist message here is clear — the longer Wall Street overlooks the value of people, the financial system will remain broken. The GameStop revolution was a corrective. “The game has changed,” Gill’s wife tells him.

Gillespie enlivens the movie with snatches of real TV news coverage — CNN, Fox Business and CNBC, among them — as well as internet memes that small investors used — often populated by gorillas — that urged each other to hold onto GameStop stock not to make money but to stick it to the hedge funds, who squeeze profits by big layoffs.

bucks to sink into the stock market — gets a movie to cheer with “Dumb Money,” the real story of a very recent financial rebellion that shook Wall Street to its loafers.

Paul Dano plays our hero here, Keith Gill, a new dad from the Boston suburbs who goes online to advise anyone listening about his stock picks wearing a red headband and colorful, cat-themed T-shirts. “I wouldn’t take investment advice from a guy in a cat shirt,” one character warns. But they do.

Gill was bullish on one particular company — GameStop, the struggling retail chain that sells video games and accessories. Large institutional Wall Street firms were betting the company would continue to flounder and parked money on losses.

But Gill convinced a band of smaller-pocketed and novice investors to pile in and buy GameStop stock, pushing the stock higher and higher, a so-called “short squeeze” that caused billions of loses for hedge funds. That is until Wall Street fought back (and

“Dumb Money,” whose title comes from the derisory term institutional investors call regular folk, wears its love of the little guy on its sleeve. The film uses very likable blue-collar workers and students in Texas, Pittsburgh and Boston while the Wall Street guys are cartoonishly playing tennis or are being served fancy meals by servants.

Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo, two former Wall Street Journal reporters-turned-screenwriters, wrote the script and Craig Gillespie, director of the Tonya Harding black comedy “I, Tonya,” helms in a more linear, less impressionistic way than his last film.

“Dumb Money” is a sort of corrective to “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and “The Big Short,” which concentrated on boardrooms. This movie is set in dorms and basement offices and hospitals. If complex financial products were previously explained by Margot Robbie in a bathtub, this time they’re discussed by a fully-clothed

Dumb Money

out of 4 stars

The movie’s end is unsatisfying but not because of any fault of the filmmakers. The stock frenzy of 2021 caused the failure of a hedge fund and exposed some troubling practices from the mobile trading platform Robinhood. But Wall Street — like the slogan on Gill’s kitty poster — keeps hanging in there.

a Sony Pictures release, is rated R for “pervasive language, sexual material, and drug use

Running time: 110 minutes

This image released by Sony Pictures shows Paul Dano as Keith Gill in a scene from “Dumb Money.” (Claire Folger/Sony Pictures via AP)

Hawkeye Community Theatre presents

Buzz Halliburton, an entertainer fallen on hard times, is summoned to Gargoyle House, a spooky castle on a lonely New England island. With him is his partner, Admiral Byrd, a penguin who can tap dance to “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” The relatives turn out to be candidates for the funny farm. Colonel Snipes plots to blow up the island. Veronica, his wife, wears evening gowns in the daytime. Little Messalina is a child terror who has baby piranhas for pets. The housekeeper, who often appears without her head, is menacing the gardener is probably insane. One grisly murder takes place before Buzz’s arrival, but there are more to follow! Because of the family curse, there’s a werewolf in the house. But who can it be? The new governess? Sheriff Birdsong? The neighbor with the leaky boat? Olga, the gypsy,

by hailey brueschke

who still uses a wagon and horse? Things really get hot when Buzz is declared heir to the Snipes fortune and a young man claiming he is the real Buzz Halliburton shows up only to be wolfed down. Who dunnit? Everything is here from a touch of light romance to a classic “will-reading” scene with fiery red eyes at the window. The laughs never stop and there are plenty of chills. Simple to stage, this energetic and crazy spoof will keep your audience howling. P.S. You don’t need a real penguin.

“The Curse of the Werewolf” is written by Tim Kelly and will be directed by Michael Shoopman. The play opens Thursday, October 4th running through Saturday, October 7th. There will be a showing each day at 7 p.m. with an extra showing on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10/person and will be available at the box office, 521 N 12th St, or online at hawkeyetheatre.com.

For more information, call Hawkeye Community Theatre at 515.576.6061.