Scene from Guys and Dolls, a musical fable of Broadway, at the Iberia Performing Arts League (photo by Kenn Stearns)

Last weekend I journeyed to New Iberia, Louisiana to enjoy Guys and Dolls, a musical staged by the Iberia Performing Arts League (IPAL). The photo above is from one of the most popular scenes when Sit Down; You’re Rocking the Boat is performed.

IPAL exemplifies “community theater.” For this production there are 52 cast members in addition to the behind-the-scenes volunteers that include my mother’s expertise with props. My sister designed the program and marketing materials. My uncle helped with the HVAC systems. My father directs, acts, and revels in it all. The least I could do was photograph and applaud.

My father has been involved with IPAL since he “retired” to New Iberia years ago. His entry among the four pages of cast biographies: “Mac Stearns (Big Jule) is just plain doing what he loves. What a great way to celebrate seven decades of theater participation!” Over the years I’ve always enjoyed IPAL musicals. But this time I’m not sure which I enjoyed more; the great play or watching my father having so damn much fun.