Calais, Vermont - January 15, 2012
Their racy calendar raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and drew national attention more than a decade ago. Now, Vermont's *Men of Maple* have a new act, the likes of which the world has never seen.
The bright lights remained dim in Calais Sunday, but about a dozen community actors prepared for a world-wide premiere. On January 28th, they'll bring hit comedy musical "The Blues Brothers" to life on the Barre Opera House stage. It's likely the first production of its kind.
When organizers initially asked Dan Akroyd's agent for permission, it didn't look promising. "His first reaction was 'no bleeping way,'" said actor Chris Miller who plays Jake Blues, "and then I got a call from John Belushi's widow and she was gracious, likes community theatre a lot, and thought it was a great thing so she let us do it."
The movie grossed $115 million in its first year, the Calais actors hope to raise $9,000 to re-roof their community multi-purpose barn. They doubt their version will be as big a hit as the movie, or their Full-Monte-style calendar which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and national attention in 2001.
Miller laughed as he explained the group is now "too old" to bare it all and needed a new method to raise funds.
Actors say they're looking forward to delivering some of their favorite lines and songs, but dancing may be the toughest part of the act. Actor Chris Colt - who plays Elwood Blues - said one five-minute long song pushes his limit. "I'm completely winded at the end of it," he said, "definitely the most challenging moment for me."
They've made a few changes on the road from box-office hit to the stage, most notably, the play has been shortened and adapted to Vermont's setting. In the play, "We make it our own we do it in our own way about Maple Corner and about here" said Actor J.C. Myers, "so it adds a little element of fun to it the wasn't part of the original."
The actors say they hope those who attend have as much fun as they've had performing.
