Menomonie, WI – This fall, Menomonie Theater Guild invites audiences to step back in
time with a fresh, steampunk-inspired adaptation of Brandon Thomas’s classic farce
Charley’s Aunt. Directed and modified by Russell Slack, the production will take the
stage at the historic Mabel Tainter Theater—built in 1889—on October 10, 11, and 12,
as well as October 16, 17, and 18, 2025.
Set in 1905 at a fictionalized University of Wisconsin–Stout, this version blends Victorian
and Edwardian style with whimsical steampunk flair. While rooted in the charm and wit
of the original 1892 play, the local adaptation brings a unique visual style and Midwest
flavor that makes it unlike anything Chippewa Valley audiences have seen before.
“This isn’t just a period comedy—it’s a heartfelt look at the sometimes ridiculous,
sometimes tender lengths we go to for the people we love,” says Director Russell Slack.
“My hope is that audiences leave the theater smiling, feeling entertained, and maybe
even recognizing a bit of themselves in these characters.”