Mackay Musical Comedy Players ready to inspire with new Chicago show

This amateur theatre group has been wowing audiences in the Sugar City since 1965 and with its latest production about to light up the MECC, we give you a behind-the-scenes look at how it all comes together.

If you are looking for some old-time glitz and glamour, the Mackay Musical Comedy Players has just the thing in store.

The amateur theatre group will put on the famed Chicago musical at the MECC on September 2 and 3 and publicity officer Georgia Rogers said excitement was building in the cast and crew.

“We are ready,” she said.

The theatre group has been going for more than 50 years and it is kept alive by the spirit of everyday people passionate about telling stories.

From costume makers and choreographers to instrumentalists and performers, everyone in the group is a volunteer and it is open to people of all abilities.

Kyra Geoghegan as Velma Kelly in the Mackay Musical Comedy Players' Chicago production coming to the MECC on September 2. Picture: Contributed

“No one has to be trained,” Ms Rogers said.

“It is our everyday people, it is whoever fits the role.”

Ms Rogers is not in the Chicago cast but she played the role of Pinocchio in the group’s Shrek production from earlier in the year.

Molly Rossetto as Roxie Hart in the Mackay Musical Comedy Players' Chicago production coming to the MECC on September 2. Picture: Contributed

Ms Rogers said being on stage was an “adrenaline rush”.

“When I am in character, for me, it is a adrenaline rush experience,” she said.

“We are amateurs and being a part of a set that you have helped create is always something I have enjoyed personally.”

Cheryl Peppin as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton in the Mackay Musical Comedy Players' Chicago production coming to the MECC on September 2. Picture: Contributed

Ms Rogers said she and her fellow theatre enthusiasts put on the shows, sacrificing their own time for no money, to give people in Mackay a chance to experience the glamour of Broadway and the West End.

“Musical theatre and theatre in itself tells a story,” she said.

“We love to be on stage because we love telling stories.

“Musicals and plays that have been around the world in Broadway and West End, we want to bring those shows to Mackay because there are some people who do not get to travel.

Georgia Rogers plays the role of Pinocchio in the Mackay Musical Comedy Players' Shrek production from earlier in the year. Picture: Contributed

“There are a lot of really good shows that they miss out on.”

The performances are ticketed, but all the money goes back into future productions.

“If we make money on a show, it means we have extra money for the next show,” she said.

The volunteers and cast size for each show varies depending on its scale, but Ms Rogers said the group was always looking for more volunteers and the longevity of the club depended on regular theatre lovers chipping in.

“The more volunteers we have, the more support we have from the community, the better quality shows we have,” she said.