Corporate contributions have become an important tool for the continued survival of the arts including The Old Creamery Theatre Company, located in the Amanas. Thank goodness that AT&T realized this, and in late July, a company representative approached The Creamery about the possibility of a corporate sponsorship for a project or production this season.

Both parties agreed that the $2,500 budgeted by AT&T for such a project would be best utilized by underwriting the fabulous comedy farce, Noises Off.

Noises Off ,written by Michael Frayn, runs through Nov. 26 on The Creamery’s Price Creek Stage at the Amana Colonies Visitors Center. “Our decision to sponsor a production at The Old Creamery Theatre is founded on our commitment to service and being a part of our community,” said Lana Thies, AT&T district manager in Cedar Rapids.

The corporate underwriting of shows is a new practice for the acting company. “Although we’ve always had extensive corporate contributions, this is the first time we’ve gotten into the underwriting for specific shows,” said Thomas P. Johnson, The Creamery’s Producing Director.

“We appreciate that large, important corporations like AT&T see the need to underwrite specific projects that probably couldn’t be done otherwise,” he added.

Noises Off will not only be an artistic challenge for the actors, as they are required to perform double roles for this play-within-a-play. Two set designers from New York have been hired to help the company design and build a revolving, two-story set that will give the audience a “backstage look” at the theatre.

This play about life in the theatre revels in the riotous shenanigans of a troupe of has been and never were actors in the frantic, final rehearsal of their own play, Nothing On. “Noises Off is just the funniest play written in the last 20 years,” said Blaine Stephens, who portrays director Lloyd Dallas in the show. “It’s a great farce about backstage relationships and on-stage blunders.”

While this show may not be completely familiar to Old Creamery audiences, it is “purely funny,” Johnson added.

Ticket pricers are $14.50 for adults and $8 for children ages 4-15. Performance times are 3 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For reservations or additional information, call (800) 352-6262 for a “laughing good time!”