By Peter Barhydt
Tickets for the annual Gridiron Show are on sale at www.gridironclubofnc.org and the show will be presented on two nights, April 25 and 26, at the Country Club of New Canaan. Featuring original skits and parodied songs, this year’s performance promises to entertain audiences with highlights from the life and times of Thomas R. Stadler, semi-retired tax accountant and former Administrative Officer for the Town of New Canaan. “It’s funnier than it sounds – trust me” says Director Eric Thunem, “because our research team digs deep, and our writers can embellish like nobody else!”
Since 1961, the Gridiron Club of New Canaan has celebrated local citizens and donated thousands of dollars to worthy causes by putting on an annual “roast” of a prominent town figure known for his or her commitment to community service. The list of past honorees reads like a “Who’s Who” of New Canaan, with previous names including Charlie Morton, Guthrie Spears, Dick Brinkerhoff, Leo Karl, Harry Coleman, Don Hersam, and Tucker Murphy, among many others. This year’s show fetes Tom Stadler, whose list of volunteer activities have made him so well known that there’s a burger named for him at the Apple Cart snack Bar in Mead Park.
Among his many talents, Tom has chaired the Family Fourth celebration, the Parks and Recreation Commission, New Canaan Baseball and Softball, and the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce. The show will portray scenes from Stadler’s childhood, accounting career, and service in Town Hall, with an all-male cast. “It’s been called New Canaan’s best – only? – drag show”, says Bob Doran, Producer, who also is the show’s Master of Ceremonies and has been involved for more than twenty years. Some have said, “these guys are so bad, they’re good!” and the main thing is that the cast really has fun hamming it up to poke some good-natured fun at a wonderful friend. The all-volunteer cast and crew are supported by professional staging, lighting, and musicians.
The show is open to all, and net proceeds will be donated to the New Canaan Community Foundation in honor of Tom Stadler. The Gridiron Club encourages everyone to come see how much fun an accountant’s story can be, as the cast lets you in on scenes from Cincinnati to Washington, weekends with animals, wining and dining, and good old Elm Street right here in New Canaan. “You don’t want to miss this,” according to Scott Hobbs, President of the Gridiron Club and himself a former honoree, “because the Gridiron show is one of the things that makes New Canaan such a great place to live.”
All are welcome; please reserve your ticket soon, as space may be limited. The Gridiron Show and dinner will be held on Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26. For more information, please contact Gridironclubofnc@gmail.com.
