'Heart-A-Rama Goes to Space' will take Two Rivers Community House stage in April and May

TWO RIVERS — “Heart-A-Rama Goes to Space” is the theme for this year’s comedy/variety show Heart-A-Rama.

Show dates are April 25-27 and May 2-4 at the Two Rivers Community House, 1710 W. Park St.

Shows start a bit earlier this year: Doors open at 6 p.m. with food served before the show.

The Best Seat in the House — a decorated toilet seat — is auctioned at 6:40 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m.

Now in its 52nd year, Heart-A-Rama has raised more than $3.1 million for the American Heart Association, along with donations of 85 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to public gathering places throughout Manitowoc County.

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Producer, director and actor Jim Pautz said the group has received requests for 13 AEDs this year.

Every skit in this year’s show has a “space feel to it,” he said.

“The appeal is that it’s local," Pautz said. "It’s about as local as you can get. We are like Saturday Night Live, but with a local twist. We like to make fun, in a loving way, of local things and use humor that locals will understand.”

Skits include “Roundabouts in Space,” “Coneheads,” “Crash in the Cornfield,” “Space Jeopardy,” “Hands Only Solo” and “Sputnik Hop.”

Some big names will also be on hand, including WBAY’s Bill Jartz and Green Bay radio and TV personality John Maino.

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Charlie Berens of “The Manitowoc Minute” fame will also be on hand.

“He attended last year, and I think he enjoyed it, he’s been very good to us,” Pautz said.

Tickets are on sale at the Piggly Wiggly stores in Manitowoc and Two Rivers, and online at heartarama.org.

Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@gannett.com or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on X @PGPattiZarling and Instagram @PGPatti.