In the spirit of the classic TV quiz show “Jeopardy,” we begin this story with a correct answer, followed by the corresponding question.

The answer: 

This six-year-old nonprofit group of top-notch performers not only wows on stage, it also donates a good chunk of its ticket sales and publicity to other community-minded nonprofits in and around Woodbury.

The question: 

What is Open Door Community Theatre?

The group’s second-annual Jeopardy-style fundraiser – “What is Broadway? A Jeopardy-Themed Cabaret!” – aims to be another crowd-pleaser at St. Paul’s Historic Mounds Theatre Nov. 6, 7 and 8.

“We wanted to knock people’s socks off to start our season,” producer, cast stalwart and board member Heather Fisher explained in a Google Meet interview last week.

“Putting on quality productions and also contributing to the community: We think that’s what a community theater should be.”

Both performances of last year’s “What is Broadway?” cabaret sold out quickly, so a third show was added this year, Fisher noted.

Described on the theater’s Facebook page as a “part-concert, part-trivia and all-fun extravaganza … that ROCKS,” the cabaret starts with a row of Jeopardy-style interactive song categories projected on a screen. Below the categories are four rows of dollar amounts.

Volunteer audience members choose a succession of dollar amounts throughout the show, each triggering a performance from a 25-song playlist. All 14 cast members remain on stage for the entire production.

“The songs range from classic Broadway to more contemporary shows and beyond,” Fisher explained. “So you’ll be exposed to songs you’ve never heard of before, along with songs that you know every line of.”

Rehearsals began at a variety of donated spaces in mid-September. 

“Our all-volunteer cast’s talent level is really unmatched – the performances really show everybody’s talents very, very well,”  Fisher added.

“The house only seats 120, so it’s a perfect venue for a small, intimate performance with a great atmosphere and a bar for before, after and intermission. But we’re also urging people to get their tickets as soon as possible.”

It will be general seating only at The Historic Mounds Theater. There will be no on-site ticket sales. 

The advanced-ticket options for each two-hour performance: 

• $40-per-person “Tier 1” tickets for admission to the show only.
• $75-per-person “Tier 2” tickets, which also include light appetizers and desserts at a cocktail hour before the show, one free drink ticket, early admission to the theater, and a chance to mingle pre-show with cast, friends, board members and volunteers.

Raffle drawings and games will also be part of the intermission.

All audience members will be invited to stay for an “Afterglow” piano sing-along after the show led by Director Justin Madsen and Musical Director Jerry Williams.

Learn more about the fundraiser and then order tickets to be a theater champion.

Funds raised at the event will help Open Door Community Theatre stage the rest of its 2025-26 season: “Matilda: The Musical” this winter and “Footloose: The Musical” over the summer.