Welcome to Clinton County Showcase's production of "Route 66"! Tonight we hope to take you back in time and down that famous mother road, Route 66. My journey down this historic road has been turbulent, yet enjoyable. As a first time director, I did not know what to expect. When the box of "Route 66" stuff came in (the music, scripts, etc.) I was shocked to find that there were about 30 songs in this show and absolutely no dialogue. Usually a script will contain lines and stage directions, but no, "Route 66" is all singing with occasional improvisation between the four actors. As a first time director, this made me very nervous. I had to find 4 men who could sing, dance, and be creative enough to improvise their way through an entire show! Well, I was up to the challenge. The night before auditions I was determined to direct a great show, and I vowed that for the next 2 months I would eat, sleep, and breathe "Route 66". The big blow came when only one guy showed up for auditions. (Thank you so much, Paul) I was crushed. I tried to recruit, but since it was right around Christmas, most people were too busy to commit the time to the show. After 2 weeks passed and I still didn't have a full cast, I was ready to give up. Then one day, it just happened - I called Blake, who simply forgot about auditions but wanted to be involved. I called Cole, who sounded eager and excited to be a pan of it. And I talked my new fiancé into being onstage instead of in the booth running the sound. Finally, with a full cast, we embarked on our journey down Route 66 together.

This show would not have been possible without the help of many people. First of all, my family - especially Nif, Paul, and Mom. Paul, thanks for coming to auditions, thanks for leading me down a scary road that I have not experience before, and thanks for keeping me realistic. Mom, thanks for encouraging me and making me sit down and listen to all the show music when I was in my denial and "I don't want to do this " stage. And Nif, thanks for being here for the past month - people probably think we live in the theater together. But seriously, for the help with sets, props, costumes, boy-control backstage, everything - THANK YOU. Also, many thanks to Pat Kreher for the radio and gas pumps. You're amazing. To the crew - thank you guys for showing up and knowing exactly what to do! And of course, to the cast...you guys have worked so hard. Thank you so much for your time and dedication to this show - it's yours now. Break a leg!