This year St. Kilian Players celebrate their 20th anniversary with a show that promises to be different from the traditional Broadway genre of previous summers, yet just as enjoyable. The Players began 20 years ago when a young vibrant priest arrived at St.Kilian's with the idea of bringing a musical to the parish.

"I got the acting bug in college," said Fr. Chuck Romano. "I thought a show would be a good way for me to get involved with people and for people to get involved with each other. Plus it would be good for the parish. It is a lot of fun but also scary. We didn't know if there would be enough people, if the parish could support it, if there would be audience interest, if the performers would make the needed commitment and if I would make the right directing choices needed for a successful show."

All those worries were overcome when the first show, West Side Story, opened in 1988. The show was an overwhelming success and it followed with several other successes.

The St. Kilian's Repertory Group is somewhat different from other community theatre.

"It's a counter theatrical group," Father Chuck said. "We try to stay away from the egos. We speak about the motto of 'We, not I. Give, not get.' There is no small part; everyone tries to help each other."

The Players have expanded beyond the original concept of adult participation and have included children in several productions including The Sound of Music, Oliver, Annie and others. Entire families like the Roedigs, the Domingos, Diurnos and the McKennas participate. The show creates many positive effects even when the last set has been struck. New friendships continue, friendships have become marriages, people come back to practice their faith, people continue the spirit of volunteerism and have become Eucharistic ministers, cantors, Religious Education teachers and lectors.

This year's show is the brainchild of the original stage manager, Nora Bardak, who presented the idea to the St. Kilian Players Board. The show is a revue of 19 shows with the original director, Fr. Chuck Romano as the master of ceremonies.

"I wanted to include show highlights with a balance of dancing and singing to bring back some of the magic, to recreate some actual scenes from the original show, and some numbers in concert style," Bardak said.

The board sent 800 letters and Players from the early days as well as the recent plays responded to this year's call. Bardak reviewed 125 songs and created a variety of numbers with a slight intro and narration to tell a bit of the song's story.

"I am so excited," Bardak added. "You can just feel the enthusiasm. Of course you watch the hum drum of learning the steps, and wonder if everyone gets it. But they will."

This year's producer, Margaret Barrett, has been involved in every show and in fact has worn the wedding dress costume several times. Having been cast as the ingénue several summers, Barrett got married in Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, Fiddler and The Sound of Music.

"Nora's excitement carries to everyone; her ideas and vision have brought back great memories," Barrett said. "You relive it all thinking of the good times, good friends and the sad times too. I reflect on what Fr. Chuck said in those early years about how we should realize that it is great to be here every night at rehearsal."

Bob Domingo, one of the original Players involved in every one of the 19 productions said, "This is different from a traditional show with a handful of leads and a chorus. This year everyone is a star. Nora Bardak has distributed the players so that everyone can enjoy themselves. Each person on stage has someone in the audience waiting to see them. It shows the evolution of the Players."

Bob O'Neill, a more recent addition to the Players, has both performed and directed on the St. Kilian's stage.

"I have acted in other venues but I have enjoyed watching the dedication and effort here," O'Neill said. "I admire the fact that this community has been able to keep this going for so long. It's all volunteers giving their time, talent and effort for the purpose of giving back to the community and to the parish. I find it impressive that regardless of individual ability they welcome all with open arms regardless of whether they're pushing a paint brush or are up on stage."

The costume crew, which includes Terry, Jean Byrne, Paula and Kathy Donlon gather and sew anything and everything to help the performers look authentic for the period.

Tickets are on sale at the Rectory and at the door. Opening night is Saturday, July 28 at 8 p.m. with other shows Sunday, July 29 at 3 p.m., Saturday Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. and Sunday Aug. 5 at 3 p.m.