Beckwith to debut last of Yooper comedy trilogy

The first time that Tucker Curtis was involved with “Escanaba in Love,” he was onstage in a Chicago theater.

For his second crack at the show, at the Beckwith Theatre, he’ll be seeing the show from a much different position — the director’s chair.

The Dowagiac theater house will host its run of shows for the year with the production of the comedic play, which debuts this Friday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. It will be the third of Jeff Daniel’s Escanaba trilogy to be shown on the Beckwith stage, joining their two prior productions of “Escanaba in Da Moonlight” in 2002 and 2008 and of “Escanaba 1922” earlier this year, in May.

The second installment of the series based in the UP city, the play is set is set during World War II, telling the story of 18-year-old Albert Soady Jr., who is celebrating his last hunt with his fellow Soady clan members before beginning his enlistment with the army.

As with Daniel’s other two installments, “Escanaba in Love” is steeped in the Yooper hunting culture, with each of the five performers adapting the iconic UP accents for their outlandish roles.

“It’s a Michigan play,” Curtis said. “I think it’s real relatable. People will be able to see people they know in the characters. They may even secretly see themselves, though they won’t want to admit it.”

The cast, which is comprised of several Beckwith veterans, has only had around five weeks to actually prepare for the show, due to issues with casting, Curtis said. The director himself only joined on board a few weeks earlier himself, producing the show with the help of Assistant Director Rebecca Maxey.

This is first show that Curtis, of Edwardsburg, has directed for the local theater. A former resident Chicago, he has been involved with the stage for 30 years, beginning with his days in children’s theater, he said.

“It’s an odd year that I don’t find myself involved in a show in one form or another,” he said. “It’s kind of my addiction.”

Despite the shortened timetable, Curtis, Maxey and the cast members have really gelled while putting the show together, the director said.

“[Maxey] put together a really great group,” he said. “They’ve been real open to try out new things, to step out of their comfort zone, which is a nice thing to have as a director.”

Whether they’re an “Escanaba” fan or a newcomer just looking to see what the buzz is about, Curtis said that the audience is in store for a funny, heartfelt and entertaining show.

“It’s a fun show, and seeing the people onstage having fun while performing in it is a huge selling point,” he said.

The play will run on Nov. 7-9 and 14-16, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets will cost $10, and reservations can be made by calling (269) 782-7653 or emailing info@beckwiththeatre.com.