Spend a night at the theater to help local students stay in school as the Spokane Civic Theatre hosts a benefit performance of the farcical romance Cactus Flower in support of Communities in Schools of Spokane County. With a mission to aid local youth at risk of dropping out of the public education system, Communities in Schools last year helped more than 6,800 students stay on track toward high school graduation and a bright future. By bringing resources and volunteers into local schools, CIS not only aids individual students at risk of dropping out, but also provides schoolwide programs to address issues like bullying, along with offering afterschool enrichment programs for all students.
The upcoming benefit production of Cactus Flower, the Civic's first main stage show of 2018, includes a pre-show auction and cocktail hour. For those not familiar with this classic comedy, it premiered on Broadway in 1965 with an original cast that included top names such as Lauren Bacall, Barry Nelson and Brenda Vaccaro. Cactus Flower was also adapted into a 1969 romantic comedy starring Ingrid Bergman, Walter Matthau and Goldie Hawn, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. Without giving away too much of the plot, its essence is a dramatic love triangle filled with misconceptions and plenty of humor.
CISSC Benefit: Cactus Flower • Sat, Jan. 13 at 6 pm • $40 • Spokane Civic Theatre • 1020 N. Howard • Tickets: bit.ly/2hzleI7 • spokane.ciswa.org
