The curtain will soon be rising on two Poway Performing Arts Company milestones — five years in the Lively Center location and 20 years of bringing theatrical performances to the community.

In celebration, the group is preparing a gala that begins 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 at the theater, 13250 Poway Road, followed by a performance of this season's British comedy "Springtime for Henry."

Gala tickets are each and include: a champagne toast to all the volunteers who have helped PowPAC; food from the Brigantine, Daphne's Greek Cafe, Il Mulino, Oscar's, Rita's, Trader Joe's and other area eateries; plus admission to the play later the same evening.

In "Springtime for Henry," Jim Payton plays the wealthy bachelor Henry Dewlip and Danielle Roads is the prim and proper secretary Ms. Smith dying to mend her bosses' wayward ways. The play opens this Friday and continues with 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows, as well as the gala presentation Jan. 20, and 2 p.m. matinees through Feb. 4. General admission is , for seniors and students. For information or reservations, call the box office at (858) 679-8085.

PowPAC planted its roots in 1980 with the production of "Fireman's Follies," but was somewhat nomadic before calling its Cynthia Lane location home through most of the 1980s to late December 1995.

With 15 years under its belt, the group sought a larger, more centrally located theater, wondering if its shoestring budget could stretch to accommodate modification costs of converting an office space in Lively Center into a theater?

Despite a few knuckle-biting days as volunteers hammered the last nails and dressed the first set for opening night in January 1996, the show went on as scheduled.

"There might have been some robbing Peter to pay Paul, but we pulled it off," said Chris Robinson, who remembers those first night jitters. Two years ago, all of the initial debts to remodel the space were paid in full. PowPAC members have now shifted focus to the day-to-day operating costs: escalating electric bills and a maintenance "to do" list that never gets completely checked off.

Volunteers are the core of what makes PowPAC a success. From building and painting sets, browsing for furniture, sewing costumes, screening actors, to perusing every production detail, PowPAC exists because of the talents of community members with time to give.

"We're all volunteers. No one gets paid, but we love what we do," said Nan Katona, PowPAC's president.

What makes community theater successful?

"What's important is that it's accessible, it's in the neighborhood and it's inexpensive. It's your friends and neighbors putting on shows," said James Michael McCullock, a former Old Globe assistant director now directing PowPAC's "Springtime for Henry."

While the non-profit organization reaps two primary rewards appreciative audiences and a feeling of producing the best shows possible the group wouldn't mind some "angels" to help underwrite a few plays.

"We do wish we had corporate sponsors. They would be an enormous help," said treasurer Barbara Seagren.

If such sponsors were to step forward, said Seagren, it could give the theatrical group less to worry about when it plans out its season and help grab scripts for "well-known" productions that usually demand high-priced royalties.

It's not unusual to see fledgling actors get their first break at PowPAC, but most casts are sprinkled with veteran Thespians making the community theater circuit. Several actors also perform role reversals as well-qualified directors, enjoying the flexibility community theater has to offer.

"Without community theater, people like myself would not have the opportunity to fine tune the skills we always thought we had," said McCullock.

When not directing, McCullock designs sets. At PowPAC, versatility, creativeness and "taking a chances" are frequently discussed said Payton, who doubles as an actor and a director.

"That's what theater's all about. Isn't it?" said Payton, adding, "Our struggles money and volunteers — are pretty much the same as other theater groups. We could always use more."

With the help of Webmaster Elden Davisson, audition notices, a director's search, or current reviews now reach a wider audience as those surfing the Net are apt to discover with PowPAC's Website: http://www.powpac.org.

Reprinted with permission - Pomerado Newspaper Group