It will be performed at 7 p.m. Aug. 14-17, with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. Aug. 17.

Tickets are $10 for all ages. See www.hawkeyetheatre.com or visit the Hawkeye Community Theatre Facebook page for additional details.

Director Jarrod Roth describes the show as a “quarter-life crisis” for Jack Goldberg (Grant Hendrix), who is trying to figure out who he is and what he wants. While most young people are figuring out their lives in their 20s and maybe into their 30s, Jack is figuring out his way into adulthood just a little bit later than most.

Jack is an unemployed movie lover who has found himself disenchanted with his weekly ritual of meeting his best friend for life, Samantha (Katie Finnegan), at an old, rundown movie theater for Chinese takeout. Determined to make a dramatic change, Jack visits Dr. Seuz (Calvin Clark), who convinces him that he must undergo a radical form of therapy. Jack must play the leading man in his own romantic comedy.

-Submitted photo
Katie Finnegan (Samantha) sings drunken karaoke.

The romantic comedy has an over-the-top director, supporting cast of Jack’s parents, and a love interest who is played by Jack’s sister. Jack isn’t convinced that his therapist is actually of sound mind and he ends up taking matters into his own hands after falling in love with Maggie (Isabel Beekman) who is, unfortunately, already engaged. Best Friend Forever Samantha sees the movie’s ending differently than Jack as she envisions herself in Jack’s arms instead of Maggie.

“It’s a journey about figuring out who you are and what really does matter,” said Roth “What is really important and it’s about growing up.”

Honoring movies like ”The Philadelphia Story,” ”Annie Hall,” and ”When Harry Met Sally,” this show treats the audience to a romantic comedy that tips its hat to pop culture with a combination of humor and heart, laughter and love.

Roth first became enamored with this show when he was in high school. He was in eighth grade and unable to be on stage for the show when it was produced by his local high school.

“I thought it was hilarious,” he said. ”It’s such a funny story.”

Being familiar with the story, he thought it would be fun to take it on.

“I want people to have fun with it,” he said. ”I want to see how many different movie references they can point out in the show. I want people to see how important movies really are.”

Roth went on to say how important he feels movies are and that he feels they are highly underrated and seen as a “lazy man’s hobby.”

Daulton Rokes portrays the character Paul, and is also the assistant director for the show.

“Jack has his head in the clouds,” said Rokes, “and is someone who is a bit out of reality.”

Finnegan describes Samantha as the most level-headed of the characters who can tend to become frustrated with the other characters because of that.

“She comes to realize that she herself has to grow and change and go for what she wants, even if that means she has to sacrifice,” said Finnegan.

She auditioned for this show because she previously worked with Roth in his role as speech coach for St. Edmond High School.

“He made a huge difference in my high school career,” she said. “I really wanted to come out and work with him this one last time before he moves to Storm Lake.”

“Maggie is the stereotypical girl in a rom-com,” said Beekman of her character. “Jack thinks that she is smart and really pretty and funny. As the story progresses, we see that is not really the case. She’s very indecisive and has a lot of relationship issues. She doesn’t want to be out of her comfort zone, which I think everyone can relate to.”

“I feel like I have my life pretty well figured out,” said Roth, “at least more than Jack does. No one is ever fully grown up. I want to share that message. That everyone has got some kind of growing to do. I’m still there, too.”

Hawkeye Community Theatre will be hosting a membership picnic between the matinee show and the 7 p.m. show on Aug. 17. It will start approximately at 4:30 p.m. and go until about 6:30 p.m.. Members eat free. Others are welcome to come for $5.

The theater now has a beer and wine liquor license. During intermission, there will be water, soda, beer and wine for sale as well as desserts