The Show Must Go On

For many people, the concept of home, what it was, is and will be, is an all-consuming thought in Hurricane Ian’s wake, whether it’s their household or those of their Southwest Florida neighbors. 

Home and what it’s like to return there after a prolonged absence is the central theme of a play that will soon open on Marco Island: Michael McKeever’s quirky, uproarious comedy “37 Postcards.” At its heart is an examination of the question of whether it is truly possible to go home again. 

The Island Theater Company production runs from October 21st through the 23rd, October 28th through the 30th and November 4th through the 6th at Marco Presbyterian Church. The curtain will rise at 7:30 PM, except for Sunday matinees, when performances begin at 2:30 PM. 

“This is one of the first plays that I’ve read that when I was reading it, I actually laughed out loud,” said Jean Rowles, an ITC co-founder, along with Pat Berry and Pattie Ziesig. “There are some that make you chuckle, but this one really had me going. I think that with all the difficulties that we’ve had lately, not just the hurricane, but with COVID and everybody trying to ramp up, people really need laughter right now. And I feel that home is a place where you can let yourself go and be yourself and laugh. I feel that seeing a family interact is really a piece of home and good.”

Sponsored by Clausen Properties, “37 Postcards” tells the story of Avery Sutton and his eccentric, dysfunctional family. After years of traveling abroad, he happily returns to his Connecticut home. But almost nothing is as he remembers. The house tilts at a distinct angle, the dog hasn't been fed in five years, and his grandmother, who was thought dead, is still alive and kicking. Forced to accept his family’s eccentricities or leave them behind, “37 Postcards” suggests it’s indeed possible to go home again. You just don’t know what you're going to find.

“It’s a very funny show,” said Berry. “With all the stress everybody’s been under with the hurricane, maybe it will be fun for them to get out for a night and laugh and support the theater.” 

This is the ITC’s fourth attempt at staging “37 Postcards,” each of the previous three ending in disappointment. The stumbling block was always something beyond anyone’s control, starting with the March of 2020 COVID lockdown, which forced a cancellation two weeks before opening night. 

“We rescheduled it for a year later and we were still in lockdown,” recalled Berry. “We rescheduled it a third time (in 2021) and two cast members had serious medical issues so we couldn’t do it then. And this time, it’s a hurricane. We’re not postponing it, no matter what,” she added with a chuckle.

Berry said that for every attempt at staging the play, one constant was the dedication of cast members who threw their heart and soul into preparing for their roles. They never wanted to cancel, she added.

“So many of the actors had put so much time and energy into it and when COVID hit, the play was ready to go,” explained Rowles. “It feels important to support our actors and the energy and time they’ve put into it. There’ve been other actors who’ve jumped into take over parts, so it feels really important to support people in our community that have worked really hard.” 

Both she and Berry praised sometimes ITC actress Cathy Clausen, of Clausen Properties, for sponsoring the show. “She’s been a sponsor since we started,” said Berry. “But this time it’s extra-special.” 

Marco Presbyterian Church is located at 875 West Elkcam Circle. Tickets for “37 Postcards” are $30 and can be purchased in advance at the Make A Memory Gift Shop, 567 E. Elkcam Circle, or online at islandtheatercompany.com. They can also be purchased at the door prior to each show. Reservations for groups of 10 or more are available. For information about group sales and more, visit islandtheatercompany.com.