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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
100 years of theatre
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Some version of Theatre Cedar Rapids has been performing locally for about 100 years, though the name has changed many times: The Theatre Guild, Little Theatre, Community Players, The Footlighters, Cedar Rapids Community Theatre, and finally Theatre Cedar Rapids.
In December 1954, The Footlighters opened a production of “Gigi,” a play written by Anita Loos, based on the story by famed French author Colette. In the story, Gigi is a young woman coming of age in Paris in 1900. Gigi was in training to be a courtesan, learning under her aunt, who had the experience to teach her what to expect and how to behave.
The original Broadway production in 1951 starred Audrey Hepburn as Gigi and Cathleen Nesbitt as Aunt Alicia. A 1958 musical romantic comedy film adaptation won nine Academy Awards.
Locally, the role of Gigi was played by Ann Stamats, who received rave reviews for her performance. The Cedar Rapids Tribune reported on Dec. 2, 1954: "From her first unbelievably wistful gestures to the last flamboyant flinging of her marvelous hands, her range of expression is something to behold.... Arrayed in her unforgettable middy blouse and skirt, she will clamber gayly into your soul and kick her black-stockinged legs against your heart for many a day. How perfectly logical that Ann is so very obviously in love with the role, for the role is indeed in love with her."
The review even commented on the work of the production staff: the sets, artwork, properties, costumes and makeup, lighting and sound all being highly competent. While well-received, the play at Coe's Little Theatre had a short run, lasting only a week.
Tara Templeman is curator at The History Center. Comments: curator@historycenter.org
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