JaDuke Theater to Present ‘Lights, Community, Action!’ to Benefit Food Pantry
TURNERS FALLS — On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7 and 8, JaDuke Theater will mount a community performance titled “Lights, Community, Action!” Proceeds from the four-act musical revue will benefit Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Center for Self-Reliance food pantry.
“The show is going to be a blast,” said Kim Williams, president of JaDuke, who is directing the revue. “It’s so important to uplift the critical work that’s being done in our community. People need to know what’s out there. What better way to bring it to life than to bring it to the stage?”
Each of the four acts of the show will center around one of the four themes of Community Action’s programs: food, heat, support, and community connection. With numbers such as “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, “Circle of Life” from The Lion King, and pop hits like “Lean on Me” and “Walking on Sunshine,” the show’s 95 community cast members are rehearsing weekly to prepare a thigh-slapping, foot-stomping singalong show full of family fun.
“We are so honored that the community is coming together to support our neighbors,” said Jessica Thompson, associate director of Community Engagement for Community Action.
The Center for Self-Reliance food pantry, which will be the direct beneficiary of the event’s donations and sponsorships, has seen a 34% increase in visitors over the last three years. Right now, the pantry offers fresh meat, dairy, eggs, produce, and shelf-stable goods to more than 1,000 visitors per week. The Center for Self-Reliance serves people in and around Greenfield, and the West County Pantry satellite pantry serves the Shelburne Falls and hilltown area.
This is JaDuke’s fourth year of putting on a benefit show for a local nonprofit. The first three years’ beneficiaries were the Children’s Advocacy Center, United Arc, and the New England Center for Women in Transition.
Both performances of “Lights, Community, Action!” on Feb. 7 and 8 will start at 6 p.m. at JaDuke Theater in Turners Falls. Tickets are available online at jaduketheater.com.