Theatre; Just Because Dinner theatre presented in partnership with and in support of Waypoints, directed by Michelle Thorne. The fundraiser in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada was for the Waypoints charity local women’s shelter annual fundraising event. The play ” Fanny and Manny Tie the Knot”  was written by Leslie McBlair and Published by Blue Moon Plays. Photo by WENDY THORNE.

As  the pandemic toll on the finances of many charity groups  becomes extremely challenging , fundraisers are looking for new and fun ways to get communities involved with raising funds in ways that will get the most people involved. 

This is how one group managed to raise $52,000

Dinner Theater Fundraiser

The sell-out production of  Fanny and Manny – Tie the Knot dinner theatre gala brought in $52,000 for local domestic abuse charity.

Waypoints is the only women’s shelter and domestic abuse charity for the Wood Buffalo area.  The charity supports women and families suffering domestic abuse and works to end domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse and homelessness in the Wood Buffalo Region. Their funding comes mainly from the Alberta government on the basis that they receive a grant 10 times more than the money they raise themselves.

Waypoints Community Awareness & Special Events Coordinator Jenna Longaphie gave credit to the over 60 volunteers who took part and all of the community sponsors.

“We were blown away and so grateful that the community was so supportive to a fresh and new concept for a fundraiser,” she said. “With all the positive feedback we received we are happy to announce that Waypoints and Theatre; Just Because will be partnering again next year for another collaborative dinner theatre experience. ” She also said organizers have already started the planning another interactive dinner theatre event for the following year.

A Fun Interactive Comedy Play for Gala Dinner Fundraiser

The play’s artistic team included: DirectorMichelle Thorne, Musical Director Mike Hallet, Set Designer Jenna Longaphie, Costume Designer Wendy Thorne, Costume Assistant Beth Perrier, Lighting Designer Danna Rae Evasiuk, Stage Manager Megan Webber and Assistant Stage Manager Malous Haulund.

The dinner theatre play Fanny and Manny Tie the Knot is based on a spoof wedding between a Virginia Pig Farmer family and a socialite Jewish family from the city.

The bride and groom are very much in love, but, oh, when those families clash! The Emcee and Wedding Coordinator are members of the cast, but the caterers are real, of course.

It’s a fun play for those looking for fundraising gala themes for a community, church or service organization. The material is mildly adult, but small children would be just as bored with this as they are with real weddings. The audience are invited as Wedding Guests, with a wedding invitation as the ticket.

Read more about the Theatre;Just Because production here:

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