Around Town . . . with Robert Airoldi: Live theater is back with Limelight’s funny, entertaining ‘Ripcord’

“Humor and fun is the order of the day — and we sure need it.”

Roberta Vinkhuyzen (dark hair) and Christy Wait (blonde), in Limelight’s “Ripcord.”
Photo courtesy Limelight Theater

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Gilroy Life’s theater review goddess Camille Bounds recently saw “Ripcord,” the latest production by the Limelight Theater, a small venue group managed by the South Valley Civic Theatre.

She told us she immensely enjoyed the comedy-drama, calling it “bright, and entertaining” and saying the cast carries the show with a strong sense of believability with a plot that zigs and zags with humor and heartbreak.

Rosalind Farotte plays Abby Binder with the force of a Sherman tank demanding her need to keep her room to herself at her assisted living facility. Marilyn Dunne is the new roommate Christy Wait who has the ability and charm that equals Abby’s force and mental ability. Their fine performances in a complicated plot will make audiences appreciate their delivery.

Andre Leben, Roberta Vinkbuyzen, Bruce Pember and Eric Browne add to this super cast. Director Angi Higgins moves the actors on a set that brings the stage out to the audience practically involving them in scenery changes.

“Between the viruses and politics this well done production is timed perfectly,” Bounds said. “Humor and fun is the order of the day — and we sure need it.” Catch the show “Ripcord” at the Limelight Theater at 7341 Monterey St., in downtown Gilroy. Remaining shows are 8 p.m. Oct. 1 and 2.

Details: www.svct.org/2021.ripcord.

Gilroy’s Troop 711 told us some exciting news. Scouts Andrew Sullivan, Braeden Will, Cam Diskowski, and Connor Murphy, have each earned Scouts BSA’s highest advancement award, the Eagle Scout Award.

In achieving the Eagle Scout rank, each young man dedicated countless hours to numerous activities, from earning the 21 required merit badges, to successfully designing, fundraising for, and managing the construction of a service project for their community or a nonprofit.

Troop 711 of Gilroy is a youth-lead troop for 11 to 17 year olds. Feature activities include backpacking, biking, rafting and kayaking trips, as well as Scout Camp Hi-Sierra, and building leadership skills.

For more information on Scouts BSA Troop 711, visit www.troopwebhost.org/Troop711Gilroy .

The Gilroy Elks is continuing its tradition of handing out scholarships to high school seniors and transferring community college students. The strength of high school seniors applying for a scholarship is that it has the potential of winning additional funds at the state level as well as the national level through the Elks National Foundation.

These scholarships range from $4,000 to $50,000. The deadline for applying is Nov. 15. Applicants are also eligible for $1,000 scholarships from the Elks Lodge. Apply at [email protected].

For more information, contact lodge secretary Mitch Marinovich at [email protected]. Funds for scholarships come from the Elks’ Casino Night, OctoberFest and Pacific Brass Band Concert fundraisers.

Last year’s winners were: Isabella Correa from CHS, Danielle Russell from CHS, Jason Chung from TJ Owens GECA, Isabella Benninger from GHS.

The Gilroy Foundation has made a change to its Grant Cycle, moving the beginning of the cycle up to Oct. 1 for funding in 2022.

Since 1980, the Gilroy Foundation has awarded more than $15.8 million in grants and scholarships. Foundation grants have made a positive and powerful difference in every sphere of life in the Gilroy community: strengthening our schools, improving our health, appreciating the arts, enhancing technology and protecting our environment. To date, in 2021, $327,323 was awarded to local organizations and programs.

The 2022 Competitive Grant closes Dec. 15. All nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status, GUSD schools, and Gilroy City programs are eligible to apply for a Gilroy Foundation grant that will serve the Gilroy community.

To apply, download a 2022 grant application, available at www.gilroyfoundation.org. Grant application and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Foundation via email by Wednesday, Dec. 15. Grants will be awarded in March 2022. Contact [email protected] with any questions about the grant application process.

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Send your Around Town items to Robert Airoldi to [email protected].

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