‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’ is a feel-good show

‘Nice Work if You Can Get’ is an entertaining family-friendly musical comedy that will make you laugh. It features ‘bootleggers and flappers from the 1920s, a female heroine, and a plot twist you won’t see coming!’

Leah Bauer

Advocate Correspondent

Simcoe Little Theatre kicks off its 2025-26 season with a musical comedy

Looking for a fun outing in Norfolk County? Well, look no further than The Simcoe Little Theatre and their production of Nice Work If You Can Get It!

On stage from Nov. 20 to Dec. 7, this comedy production is a classic musical with the songs of George and Ira Gershwin.

The storyline is based around charming and wealthy playboy Jimmy Winter, who meets young female bootlegger Billie Bendix. The catch? Billie and Jimmy meet the weekend of Jimmy’s wedding to Eileen Evergreen, a young woman from a prohibitionist family. Billie, who expects the couple to be out of town before the big day, grabs her gang and hides cases of alcohol in the basement of Jimmy’s mansion. However, when the couple, and her prohibitionist family, arrive back at the house, bootlegger Billie and her gang pose as servants and cause hijinks galore.

Janet Dickson, director of this production, described how they decided on Nice Work If You Can Get It, a process that started back in January. Dickson said that while this musical was not immediately familiar, it was an easy sell as a musical comedy with jazzy numbers by George and Ira Gershwin was impossible to pass on.

When asking the cast what they liked about this production, the answers were “I was surprised how many songs I recognized,” and “Every character makes me laugh,” and “1920s costumes are amazing! Flappers and fedoras, spats and suspenders!”

The Simcoe Little Theatre, a vital part of Norfolk’s local arts scene, works hard to bring high quality performances to our small town and is volunteer-driven and dedicated. 

“A small town cast and crew means that you might see your neighbour or even someone who works at the public library up on stage!” said Dickson.

“It is an opportunity for people to shine, and they put a lot of effort and time into creating their characters. A small town means there is likely also someone in the audience that you know. It is a community feeling to be there.”

Dickson said a lot of hard work happens behind the scenes, and much time and effort goes into coordinating the costumes, lights, settings, makeup, and props.

The most challenging part of this production, she said, was the dance numbers.

“When people audition for the show, they don’t necessarily expect to be dancing. The 1920s had some great dance moves that we have been drilling to get the scenes ready.”

While the opening night of Nov. 20 at 33 Talbot Street North is the only production with a food and champagne reception, you can catch the play on their performance dates of: Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 22 and 23 at 2 p.m., Nov. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 29 and 30 at 2 p.m., Dec. 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 6 and 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $29, youth pricing available. Buy tickets by calling 519-583-0505 or by visiting https://simcoelittletheatre.org/nice-work-if-you-can-get-it/

“Join us for an unforgettable performance while supporting local live community theatre!”