ANDERSONVILLE — A local theater company is getting more than $5,000 in donations thanks to beauty pageant winner Kevin Romero.
Romero was crowned "Miss Andersonville" at Midsommarfest last weekend after raising the most amount of money for his organization of choice, pH Comedy Theater, 1515 W. Berwyn Ave.
"The moment was really surreal. It was really great to live out this fantasy of participating in a pageant even though the pageant wasn't about how looked the best, or who had the most talent, just about who raised the most money," said Romero, who's a fan of the show "Toddlers in Tiaras."
A fest tradition from 1965 and 1989, the "Miss Andersonville" pageant made a comeback this year. But unlike traditional beauty pageants, Romero didn't win based on his looks. He won because he raised the most amount of money for his local organization of choice.
In total, 50 people donated almost $5,300 to the pH Comedy Theater. Other contestants got close, with some raising more than $4,000, but in the end there can only be one "Miss Andersonville."
So how'd the 33-year-old improv performer do it?
"I relied pretty heavily on my own friends and family. I did get a lot of support from people who are either in pH or are related to people who are a part of pH as well."
Also, his large social media presence allowed him to reach out to specific contacts quickly, he said.
Romero believes the pH Comedy Theater is an invaluable organization in the community. He performs improv and standup there at night, and works as a senior project manager at NorthShore Health Systems during the day.
"Typically an organization that's looking for actors and working with people, they're looking for people with tons of experience and who can bring that experience to the table. One of the things I really enjoy about the organization is they allow people who are new to this form the opportunity to shine."
He said the money will help improve pH's shows and "help the actors do great work."
As for being a male winner, he said he's "not concerned about what is the traditional version of something."
"We're open-minded and willing to accept everyone."
In all, the pageant raised more than $16,000 toward local organizations.
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