As some of you may know, my friend-since-childhood Walt Willey (better known to some of you as Jackson Montgomery from ABC’s late, lamented All My Children) and I teamed up about six years ago. Our mission: to return community theatre to our home town of Ottawa, Illinois.

We started with a production of The Odd Couple that was, to put it mildly, a rousing success, thanks to more people than I can mention. We followed that with a long line of theatrical classics, including Arsenic and Old Lace, Plaza Suite, Harvey, and Deathtrap, a big show every summer while we helped mentor local students interested in improvisation and theatrical acting. We sweetened the pot each summer by bringing in so many of Walt’s All My Children co-stars, including Jill Larsen, Julia Barr, Taylor Miller, Kale Brown, Bobbi Eakes, and Vincent Irrizary.

One of the drawbacks of going to London is that it means I won’t be able to do the summer show this year. Auntie Mame is going to be our biggest production yet, and if you are going to be anywhere within driving distance (or heck, within flying distance) of Ottawa, Illinois, I would strongly advise you to check it out July 25, 26, and 27. Tickets and more information are available through http://www.experienceottawa.com or simply by calling 815-434-2737.

Oh, and by the way, be sure to get there on time, as there is a virtual appearance by yours truly. Okay, so I am participating, even though I’ll be in London. But you’ll have to be there to see what I’m talking about.