Need a laugh? Kiwanis Kourt in session in April at Lapeer East

61st annual Kiwanis Kapers to perform variety show on four dates

Lapeer County, Michigan, County Press
http://www.countypress.com/stories/031809/loc_22090311086.shtml

LAPEER -- Chad Perkins recalled being an elementary-school aged kid and not being too shy to appear in Kiwanis Kapers.

Now 38, Perkins believes he is involved in his 11th production of the popular Lapeer show and this year he's one of the directors.

"I'm a third generation Kiwanian. I was in Kiwanis Kapers as a kid," he said. "Even now I'm not comfortable on stage, but I'm having fun doing it. I enjoy helping children.

"I remember doing it in elementary. Back then, the kids sang. One year we sang the theme to 'Happy Days' and dressed up as greasers."

The 61st annual Kiwanis Kapers will present a Kaper's Kourt in the Lapeer East High School Auditorium, 933 S. Saginaw St. in Lapeer at 7 p.m. April 1 and 2; and 8 p.m. April 3 and 4.
This year Perkins is behind the scenes as a co-director and he said that's fine with him.

Kiwanis Kapers is a variety show that's part vaudeville and part Vegas. It was formerly held in the auditorium at White Junior High School, but that has changed and the venue is now at Lapeer East High School. Perkins said it either is or is one of the longest running shows in the state.

Dr. Fred McAlpine, another Kiwanian in the show and longtime member, said there's only two Kaper shows left in the U.S. that he knows about. He's been in Kiwanis for 40 years and has been in 38 Kaper productions "in little parts for fun. It's great camaraderie," McAlpine said. "I was involved in directing two (productions). It has a lot of rewards."

McAlpine said he's in skits. He has enjoyed seeing club members in the "fun" production over the years. "The community has supported us and bought tickets. They keep wanting to come back," McAlpine said. "It's a win-win and it goes to a good cause. We try to mix cornball humor. I think people have enjoyed coming out each year and we've enjoyed doing it."

Perkins said the group of 50 to 60-people has been practicing for the production at the American Legion. "The fun thing about Kapers is if you go every night some of it's improv," he said.
"There's jokes, singing, dancing. It's family friendly with local humor. We bring back former characters. It's centered around a judicial court and you never know who could show up: Judge Joe Brown or Judge Judy."

McAlpine recalled last year the production had a Presidential Debate. "One year Chad (Perkins) did Ross Perot and it was a riot," McAlpine said. "We're happy to be part of the tradition."

This year's production will be co-directed by Perkins, Joe Wenzlick, and Craig Watson.
Perkins said seeing the production is a "good excuse to make a good night out."

Kiwanis was founded in Detroit on January 21, 1915. In the early years, Kiwanis clubs focused on business networking. By 1919, the organization had changed its focus from business to service. Until 1987, Kiwanis International was a male-only organization. The Lapeer Kiwanis Club came into existence on Oct. 14, 1941.

The Lapeer Kiwanis chapter meets at noon each Wednesday at the American Legion. It is open to new members and there are dues and a cost for lunch.