The sun, the smell of burgers cooking, the green ivy on the wall, and the denizens of the bleachers are all a part of Chicago Cubs baseball.
The VCCT show “Bleacher Bums” can’t capture the smell of the food or the ivy on the wall, but the bums in the bleachers come to life in this baseball themed comedy.
The final weekend of the show is this coming Friday and Saturday, July 28 and 29.  Show times are 8 p.m. in the Paddock Room at Hickory Grove, 1127 N. Seventh St. in the Comfort Inn complex.
Ken Manning is  Zig, one of the bums. Manning doesn’t have much in common with his character, a man in his 50s who can bellow and chew a cigar at the same time.
“I don’t smoke, drink or gamble,”  Manning said of his true personality.  “That’s why it’s called acting!”
Manning has been in over 60 shows in five states  since getting involved in acting 28 years ago.  His VCCT shows include “Wizard of Oz,”  “Legend of Robin Hood Sort Of,”  “Christmas Carol:  A Radio Play,”  and “Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Dean Wren almost seems typecast for his role as the game announcer.

“It’s easy to relate to the announcer due to my bass voice,” he explained.  ‘I sing, and always having to enunciate my words and project my voice, “ Dean added.
Wren, a Rochelle native and Air Force veteran,  has a broad range of experiences as a performer.  He has been in “Joseph the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” with VCCT but has also performed as Tevya in “Fiddler on the Roof”, and Will Parker in “Oklahoma.”
“I have had the privilege to sing in Carnegie Hall (twice), the Mormon Tabernacle (I’m not Mormon), national television during a ice program called “Festival on Ice.” I have sung with the Denver Master Chorale, the Sierra Nevada Master Chorale, Rock Valley Master Chorale, Bach Chamber Choir (based in Rockford), Mendelssohn’s (also in Rockford). I am currently singing with the Celebration Chorale based in DeKalb,“ he noted of as the major highlights of his singing career.
Vicky Martinez is a crazy cheerleader.
“She is definitely not shy when it comes to insulting the opposing team and does everything in her  power to involve everyone just so that their precious Cubbies could win,” she said.  
Her character has a passion for the Cubs will will do anything in order for them to win, “even if it costs and arm and a leg.”
Martinez may be playing an outgoing, obnoxious person, but that is not her true self.
“I’m a pretty timid person who rarely talks unless spoken to. The only way to actually realize how much in common I have with the cheerleader is when I’m around people I am comfortable with.”
But she does admit to being the life of the party and like the cheerleader is energetic, loud and passionate about things she loves.
Martinez has been in two VCCT show, “Sideways Stories from Wayside School” and “A Few Good Men.”  At Rochelle Township High School she was in “A Thurber Carnival,” and some musicals including “My Fair Lady” and  “Grease.”
Also in the show are Nikki Dobbs, Michael Hynek, Todd Burghardt, Nathan Holda, Alexander Cremeans, Karen Schwanert, and Alyssa Schwanert.
Tickets are $12 at the door or $11 on line.  Tables of 8 can be ordered for $80 on line at vcctrochelle.org.
Director Kim Ekes notes the show does have some strong language.