The Catasauqua Area Showcase Theatre will not be presenting it's next production for many months, but already its members and volunteers are setting the stage for the curtains to open on the popular Broadway musical "Annie" in April 2013.

At a kick-off membership meeting last Thursday, CAST President Brenda McGuire opened the evening with an introduction of board members and production staff. Attended by dozens of experienced and novice performers - and for the youngest, their parents as well - the meeting marked the official beginning of the organization's 2012-13 season.

The season will commence with a couple of fundraisers to begin paying for production costs.

Director Bill Nothstein explained the necessity of fundraising to the all-volunteer organization's members.

"Last year, 'The Wizard of Oz' production brought in $45,000 in revenue," he said. "The expenses added up to $44,000."

Many cost-saving measures are taken to keep costs down.

"We save a lot by making our own costumes," Nothstein said. "We also trade and borrow costumes and backdrops with other theatre groups."

Orders are being taken now by CAST members for potato-cheese pierogies. Last year's sale saw 500 dozen of the popular food items go out the door of St. Andrew's Church, where they were prepared by CAST members.

"It's a lot of work, but we have a lot of fun, too," Nothstein said of the two-day pierogie production.

Orders are also now being taken for an apple dumpling sale, with orders due by Oct. 12 for an Oct. 20 pickup.

See the CAST website for details on these sales and to place an order.

Hoagie sales are planned for February and March.

Audition and show information will be reviewed at an Oct. 22 meeting in the Sheckler Elementary School cafeteria. At this meeting, planned for 7 p.m., scripts and music will be distributed for use during auditions, which are scheduled for Nov. 4 and 5, so anyone interested in becoming involved in the production is encouraged to attend.

"If you want a part, you've got to practice," he said of the auditions. "Wow us!"