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When Ben Ahlers performed in New York City in "Death of a Salesman," there were plenty of supporters attending from the Webster City area.
Ahlers, who attended Fort Dodge schools, is the grandson of Beth and Don Bottorff. Don was a long-time, respected attorney in Webster City. His mother, Suzy and his aunt Shelly attended the Webster City Community Schools. During those years, they took their turn on the stages here in Webster City, both strong vocalists, and expressive theatrical skills.
Loween Getter, who directed his mother Suzy and aunt Shelly, in two different productions of "Pump Boys and Dinettes," traveled to New York to see him in the production.
""The sisters (Suzy and Shelly) played the Dinettes, during that production," she explained. The WCCT production had sold-out shows each night, which prompted a reprisal of the same cast a few years later.
"He was just a toddler when we did "Pump Boys and Dinettes," she said "We did it in 1997 and then we did it again in 2002. Ben was very small at that time."'
Getter remembered both grandparents’ involvement with WCCT, recalling that Don gave a welcoming speech at a theater conference one year. And his grandmother, Beth, "was born a stage mom."
"They were always good promoters of the theatre," Getter said of Ahlers grandparents.
"It seems like he was a babe in arms with Beth, (his grandmother) holding him," she remembered.
Getter recalled that Suzy was also Dorothy in their production of "The Wizard of Oz," while his aunt Shelly played the little witch.
"When we knew that Ben was in "Death of a Salesman," we ended up with 8 people going to New York to see it," said Getter, "Mary Sealine had the clipping from the Daily Freeman Journal and it was delivered to the stage door to send to him."
But they didn't get a chance to see him, as it was the night of the Tony awards.
"We didn't get to personally see him, but that night when they awarded the Tony awards we saw him when he was up on stage."
There will be at least four WCCT members who will be attending the Thursday event in Fort Dodge.
"We've got the VIP tickets and can get in early," she said.
Ben Ahlers may have graduated from Fort Dodge, but there are tendrils that remain in Webster City. With both his grandparents and his mother deceased, Ahlers has certainly made a name for himself.
"Beth and Suzy would have been so proud of Ben," Getter reflected.
There were many who went to see the production in New York from Webster City, and there will certainly be many in the audience again this Thursday night.