Essex Theater Group Prepares for 'Damn' Fine Show

Ted Burke and Tim Dalgo do not work in professions typically associated with the arts.

Burke is a bank manager, while Dalgo is in sales, yet the pair is in charge of arguably one of the most successful community theater groups in Baltimore County. Based out of Zion United Church of Christ in Essex, Infinity Theatrical Productions is in the midst of its 11^th season.The group is set to perform Damn Yankees on April 1.

“This isn’t a place people interested in theater go to get rich,” said Burke, a Rosedale native who now lives in Edgewood. “They do this because they have a passion for it and our reputation brings in people from all over the area to be a part of our productions.”

Burke and Dalgo got the idea to start a community theater group about 10 years ago. Both are members of Zion United Church of Christ and were intrigued about the possibility of better utilizing the church’s stage.

After getting permission to make improvements and expand the stage, located in the church’s sanctuary, Burke and Dalgo got to work on finding willing participants. Since 2000, Infinity Theatrical Productions has performed 20 shows, including The Odd Couple, South Pacific, Jesus Christ Superstar and most recently Little Shop of Horrors. The group typically performs between two and three shows a year.

“I’ve been involved with theater since I was 9 and this is a lot of work, but it’s so much fun,” said Dalgo, who lives in Essex. “When it stops being fun is when I quit.”

Everyone involved in Infinity Theatrical Productions—from the actors to the production crew to the musicians—are volunteers. Through the years, the group has had actors from ages 4-80 in their productions.

While the group holds auditions for each of their productions, Burke said they try to find a role for everyone who tries out for a part. Participants have come as far as York, PA and Carroll County to be involved in their productions. He added that all of their production costs are made up through ticket sales.

“Sometimes a play calls for a finite number of roles and that’s all we can use,” Burke said. “That’s why we typically pick large-scale musicals that have plenty of extra roles and opportunities to be involved. It really is an outlet for so many people. You would be amazed to see some of these people come out of their shells when given an opportunity to perform.”

That is the case with their latest production, Damn Yankees, the Broadway musical comedy that tells the story of Joe Boyd, a middle-aged real estate agent that sells his soul to the devil in order to become a young slugging hitter for the Washington Senators baseball team in order to beat the dreaded New York Yankees.

Harry McShea plays “young Joe” in the upcoming production. The Parkville resident and retired Baltimore County English teacher/ theater arts director was impressed by the quality of Infinity Theatrical Productions' work, which lured him into his first stage work since retiring several years ago. He even got his 10-year-old granddaughter to join the cast.

“I saw four shows and was impressed each time,” McShea said. “The work they do here made me want to get involved again. It’s a lot of fun.”

Burke and Dalgo said one reason they are able to produce quality shows is because of the stability of their performers and crew. Wendi Dunn is one of those crewmembers.

A Dundalk resident, Dunn has been the choreographer for each of Infinity Theatrical Productions’ shows. Dunn is also a lifelong member of the church and has been involved in dance for 26 years, including currently leading the dance program for the Rosedale Recreation Council.

“We get people from all walks of life who want to be in our shows,” Dunn said. “I get a lot of joy working with so many people and watching as all of our work comes together on stage.”

DAMN YANKEES

• Where: Zion United Church of Christ Auditorium, 7140 Golden Ring Road in Essex
• When: April 1-17
• Show Times: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. 
• Tickets: Box Office opens one hour and doors open 30 minutes before curtain
• Pricing: TBA; Call 410-491-1472 for more information.