Angels in the Trees: Rockwell Kent in Winona

written by Lynn Nankivil, directed by Judy Myers
February 8-10, historic Masonic Theatre, Winona

Continuing the new tradition of producing locally penned plays, Theatre du Mississippi presents Lynn Nankivil’s Angels in the Trees: Rockwell Kent in Winona. The play chronicles noted painter, illustrator, and political activist Rockwell Kent’s year in Winona in the early part of the 20th century. The play also coincides with a citywide celebration of Kent’s work.

Nankivil tells the story of Kent’s eventual year in Winona, framed through the memories of a German immigrant couple, Alex and Martha Geckler. While not following a traditional plot line, the selected memories draw a complex character and make for compelling theater. It offers a thoughtful insight into the bravado that would drive Kent’s later success as well as striking flaws that make can’t a deliciously interesting character.

The play is bolstered by strong cast, particularly David Coral, who has appeared locally with both The Commonweal Theater and the Great River Shakespeare Festival, and Karen Dulak as Alex and Martha Geckler. Local coffee mogul Carew Halleck does a fine job as the confident and reckless Rockwell Kent.

Pianist Nancy Edstrom leads a talented, four-piece orchestra that helps place the historical era and deepen the overall texture of the play.

The play opens Friday, February 8.

For tickets BrownPaperTickets.com
For schedules, visit www.theatredumississippi.org.

Leading Ladies

La Crosse Community Theatre
By Ken Ludwig; directed by Anne Drecktrah

La Crosse Community Theater opens Leading Ladies, Friday, March 9 in La Crosse. In this comedy two struggling English actors, Jack and Leo, pose as long-lost nephews to inherit the estate of a rich old woman who has just died. Their trouble begins when they arrive to find out that the long-lost nephews are actually nieces, and the old woman isn't as dead as they thought!

Cast members include Katie Clausen as Meg, Kevin Laumbach as Leo; long-time LCT actors Michael Marcou as Jack, Megan Larson as Audrey, Dennis Kuhn as Duncan, Susan Fox as Florence and Daniel Schneider as Doc; and Daniel Rapoport, who is making his LCT stage debut, as Butch.

Set and lights designed by Andrew Brackett and costumes by Mandy Parmeter. The production is rated theatre PG.

Performances are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. For more information visit www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org.

Arsenic and Old Lace

By Joseph Kesselring, Directed by Judee Brone
Fountain City River Players

Fountain City, Wisconsin’s community theater troupe will stage their annual spring comedy with a production of Arsenic and Old Lace.

Fountain City Auditorium
42 North Main Street
Fountain City, Wisconsin

Tickets can be purchased at Waumandee State Bank or Kwik Trip in Fountain City, at Midtown Food or Hardt's Music in Winona, or a half hour before each performance at the door. Call (608) 685-7481 to reserve tickets.

Fountain City River Players present Harvey

Carew Halleck rehearses his role as Elwood P. Dowd in the in Fountain City River Players' Harvey.
Photo Rory O'Driscoll/Winona Daily News. Read the WDN story.

Harvey by Mary Chase
Directed by Judee Brone, Jasson Passow, and Jeff Hosch.

April 7 - 11
7:30 p.m.; 2:00 p.m. on Sunday

Fountain City Auditorium
42 North Main Street
Fountain City, Wisconsin

Tickets can be purchased at Waumandee State Bank or Kwik Trip in Fountain City, at Midtown Food or Hardt's Music in Winona, or a half hour before each performance at the door.
Call (608) 685-7481 to reserve tickets.

August Community Theater Calendar

Brigadoon

August 5-8
Wit's End Theatre
Directed by Joe Chase, featuring bagpipe music by the Rochester Caledonia Pipe Band
Potter Auditorium
Chatfield, Minnesota
Advance ticket sales: Skippy's supermarket, (507) 867-4272
Tickets will be available at the door each performance.
www.sempan.com

Rock Solid Youth Center's production of Once Upon a Mattress. Photo by KC Saxon

Once Upon a mattress

August 6 - 9
Rock Solid Youth Center
Directed by Mark Roeckers; Music Directed by Sue Degallier, Produced by Patrick Marek.
rock Solid youth Center
75 W. 3rd Street
Winona, Minnesota

The Fantastics

August 6 - 16
Words Players--Alumni/College Age Production
Rochester Repertory Theatre
103 7th St. NE
Rochester, Minnesota
http://www.northlandwords.org

The Merlin Players' presentation of Anne of Green Gables. From left, Mackenzie Greiner, Gregory Somers and Jordyn Trnka. Photo by Edward Brown.

Annie of Green Gables

August 7 - 9; 13 - 15
The Merlin Players
Fairbault Paradise Center for the Arts
321 Central Ave
Faribault, Minnesota
Tickets: 507-332-7372
www.merlinplayers.org

How to Talk Minnesotan

August 12 - 15, 7:00 p.m.
Brave Community Theater
Spring Valley Community Center
Spring Valley, Minnesota
Spring Valley Ag Days Schedule

Community Theater Calendar

Suessical the Musical

July 23 - 25
Words Players -Senior Troupe
Century High School, Rochester,
www.northlandwords.org/wordsplayers

Annie Jr.

July 30 - August 1
Ye Olde Opera House Youth Show
Directed by Bethany Tisthammer
Spring Grove, MN
www.yeoldeoperahouse.org

Guys and Dolls

July 29 - August 2
Fountain City River Players
Fountain City Auditorium
42, North Main Street
Fountain City, Wisconsin.

The Fantastics in Lanesboro

July 30 - 31
Words Players--Alumni/College Age Production
St. Mane Theater
106 Parkway Ave. S
Lanesboro, MN
www.northlandwords.org

The Fantastics in Rochester

August 6 - 16
Words Players--Alumni/College Age Production
Rochester Repertory Theatre
103 7th St. NE
Rochester, MN
www.northlandwords.org

More Summer Musicals

This week, two well-established Southeast Minnesota community theater troupes present their summer musicals. With companies marking 29 and 30 years, Rushford area Society of the Arts will stage Honk!, and Ye Olde Opra House will offer Lucky Stiff.

Lucky Stiff

Presented by Ye Olde Opera House
Book by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.
Directed by Scott Solberg.

Lucky Stiff marks the 30th outdoor musical for Ye Olde Opera House, which presents an ambitious annual season of community theater in Spring Grove, Minnesota. Lucky Stiff is presented at “Ye Olde Gray Barn” just east of Spring Grove, and it includes an optional pre-show dinner under the stars. (Dinner served 6:30; performance; at 8:30)

July 15 - 19, 8:30 p.m.
Ye Olde Grey Barn, Spring Grove, Minnesota

For ticket and other information visit www.yeoldeoperahouse.org

Honk!

Presented by the Rushford Area Society of the Arts (RASA)
music by George Styles, Book and Lyrics by Anthny Drewe

RASA has been producing theater and other activities in Rushford, Minnesota for 29 years, with the annual summer musical emerging as one of the area's strongest community theater productions. Tickets generally go fast.

July 15, 16, and 17 at 7:00 PM
July 18 and 19 at 2:00 PM
Rushford-Peterson High School Theater, Rushford,Minnesota

Tickets on sale at Rushford Foods
More info at (507)251-9599

HCO Production of Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast finale during dress rehersal

Over the more than 10 years that Winona’s Home and Community Options (HCO) has used a summer musical production as a fundraiser for its work providing residential services to people with developmental disabilities, they’ve developed a reputation for creating a huge theatrical splash. Even with the arrival of the Great River Shakespeare Festival and the Gilmore Creek Summer Theater, HCO has consistently wowed sell-out houses summer after summer. This summer, they’ve even added an additional show for a 7-night run—a long run for a community theater production. While much of the box office success can be attributed to the support HCO has in the Winona area, it is also a result of HCO’s commitment to producing a grand theater experience. In short, they have meet the demands of big musicals by stepping up with a big vision, year after year.

This year’s production of Beauty and the Beast is no different. HCO draws from a talented pool of community actors—some with extensive stage experience. The actors include adults to students from area high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. Included in this mix are many residents of HCO’s area facilities, many of whom are now seasoned actors and stage hands. These actors are supported by a professional pit orchestra, ambitious chorography, spectacular costuming, a tremendous number of volunteers, and a staging that befits a professional house like St. Mary’s Page Theatre.

Beauty and the Beast

June 18 - 24, St. Mary’s University Page Theatre
Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Asman and Tim Rice, book by Linda Wolverton.
Directed by Bruce Ramsdell, musical direction by Harry Michell, costumes by Janice Turek, Choreography by Jennifer TeBeest, sets by Steve Libera, technical direction by Mitchell Auman.

Tickets available at the Page Theater Box office (507) 547-1715 or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Early Spring Productions

The spring season is already under way in Winona with St. Mary’s University production of A Chorus Line, which runs through Monday. Vivian Fussillo’s take on Moleire’s The Imaginary Invalid plays next week at Winona State University, Thursday through Saturday.

The 17-member kick line rehearses for Saint Mary’s University’s production of A Chorus Line. (photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News)

Ryan Hawkins, right, and Ali Dilger in WSU’s The Imaginary Invalid. (photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News)

Karen Dulak, left and Ann Kohner rehearse a scene from the dress rehearsal of The Senator Wore Pantyhose. (Photo by Rory O’Driscoll/Winona Daily News)

From left, Chris Bernard, Emily Whitcomb, Derek Sveen, Abbey Quandahl, Hunter Tibor and Emily Quandahl rehearse "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown."(Photo by Fred Schulze/Winona Daily News)

Next week also has two community theater offerings: The Fountain City Players with The Senator Wore Panythose and Rock Solid Youth Center with You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.

For the second year, spring also means the Commonweal’s annual Ibsen Festival and production of Ibsen. The Festival runs April 17 - 19 with Hedda Gabler opening April 16 for a two month run. Visit the Commonweal for details.

A Chorus Line

Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban,
Directed by Judy Meyers
St. Mary’s Department of Theater Arts

Mar. 27 - 30
Fri., Sat., Mon. shows at 7:30 pm, Sun. at 3 pm
Page Theatre

See story from Winona Daily News Visit the Page Theatre website for schedule and ticket information.

The Imaginary Invalid

by Moliere, Directed by Vivian Fusillo
Winona State Department of Theatre and Dance
April 2-4, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
WSU Performing Arts Center Mainstage

See story from Winona Daily News.
Visit the Winona State Theater and Dance Department website for schedule and ticket information.

The Senator Wore Panythose

by Billy Van Zandt and jane Milmore, Directed by Juddee Brone

Fountain City River Players
April 1 - 5, 7:30 p.m. (Sunday, 2 p.m.)
Fountain City Auditorium
42 N. Main St., Fountain City, Wisconsin.
608-687-7481

See the story from the Winona Daily News

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

by Clark Gesner, directeed by Sue Degallier
Rock Solid Youth Center
April 2 - 4, 7:30 p.m.
April 5, 4:00 p.m.
75 West 3rd Street, Winona, MN
507 452-2125

See the story from the Winona Daily News

Gunsmoke Monologues

I hadn’t thought about the recent surge in community theater productions at bars and taverns across the state as a concern for Minnesota Theater until a recent comment (from the limey) questioned the need for the theater exemption to the smoking ban. His (or her) solution to the problem of the loophole that the bars are exploiting is to eliminate the loophole for theaters as well. He asks why theaters need to use live cigarettes. Certainly cigarette props could be used in scenes that call for cigarettes.

While the limey raises some interesting questions, my thinking is moving in a different direction. First of all, I kind of admire the creativity and the gumption of bar owners finding and using the loophole, even though I am in favor of the law banning smoking in restaurants and bars. I guess at a very basic level I’m suspicious of laws that impinge on an individual’s activities. But I especially resist any government restrictions on the arts. It seems to me that a healthy Theater requires the freedom to express itself in whatever way is necessary. That includes using nudity, foul language, gunshots, violence, and cigarettes. Like any other prop, technique, or subject matter, cigarettes should be part of the tool bag for directors and producers.

I recently attended the St. Mary’s University production of When You Coming Back Red Ryder? The play is set in an early 70s roadside dinner. I believe the decision to use cigarettes in the play certainly helped create the overall scene. Yes, they could have eliminated the cigarettes, left them unlit, or used fake cigarette smoke, but I don’t think any of those would have been near as effective as the real cigarettes. Smoking, talking, and eating are the main activities of the patrons of a 70s roadside dinner. The play was enhanced by the use of real cigarettes, just as it was enhanced by real sausages frying on a greasy grill and a very realistic gunshot (though admittedly, not a real bullet).

I’m sure the state of Minnesota will do something to address the Gunsmoke Monologue issue. But in the meantime, this may be an opportunity to expand the interest in theater. When people willingly step on a stage, no matter how small, and call themselves actors, no matter how tongue-in-cheek, there’s a good chance that some of them may be living out some desire for a life on the stage. The Monologues aren’t theater, but they might be workshops.

As for the limey’s request that Minnesota Theater take a stand on the issue, here is the official stand:

Minnestota Theater does not review community theater productions, works in progress, or theater workshops. Minnesota Theatre will consider listing upcoming community theater productions, including Gunsmoke Monologues, if the pertinent information is submitted in a timely manner.

Upcoming Performances: Taxes and Greeks

The Fountain City River Players turn their attention toward tax day while both Winona Universities turn towards the Greek. Vivian Fusillo directs Medea at Winona State in early April while Steven Bouler directs Euripedes’ Iphingenia at Aulis later in the month.

April 2 - 6 Love, Sex, and the I.R.S.: A Comedy in Three Acts

By Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore, Directed by Judee Brone
Fountain City River Players
7:30pm April 2 - 5; 2:00pm April 6
Fountain City Auditorium
42 N. Main St.
Fountain City, Wisconsin
(608) 687-7174.

April 3 - 5 Medea

Directed by Vivian Fusillo
Winona State Department of Theater and Dance
Winona, Minnesota

From WSU Online Calandar:

Medea is a story of betrayal, revenge and murder from Greek mythology.

Medea is a woman who has given up her home and family in Corinth to help Jason and the Argonauts capture the Golden Fleece. Upon their return to Corinth, Medea and Jason wed and have two sons. However, Jason is unable to resist when Creon, the king of Corinth, offers his daughter to Jason if he will divorce and banish Medea, who is suspected of being a barbarian sorceress. Jason agrees in hopes of one-day becoming king. Medea is given one day to leave Corinth, and one day is all she needs to exact her revenge.

Medea is intended for mature audiences.

Visit the Winona State Theater and Dance Department website for schedule and ticket information.

April 18 - 21 Iphigenia at Aulis

By Euripides, Directed by Dr. Steven Bouler
St. Mary's University Department of Theater Arts
Winona, Minnesota

Description from St. Mary's Page Theater website:

The Greek fleet waits in the bay of Aulis in readiness to launch an attack on Troy, but the wind suddenly drops and the ships stand idle. The army blames its leader, Agamemnon, who, in danger of losing his command, is told by the oracle the only solution: sacrifice his teenage daughter, Iphigenia, to the gods, in return for a favorable wind and ultimate victory. As relevant today as it was over 2,000 years ago, this contemporary translation of Euripides’ Iphigenia (set prior to the Iraqi War) explores patriotism, war fever, and how far a leader will go to secure a military victory in the East.

Visit the Page Theatre website for schedule and ticket information.

Rochester Rep: Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming

Now in its 24th Season, the Rochester Repertory Theatre presents Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming, which plays through October 6.

Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming
A Musical Written by Connie Ray; Conceived by Alan Bailey, with Musical Arrangements by Mike Craver.

It's October, 1945, and the gospel-singing Sanders Family is back together again. The war is over and America's years of prosperity are just beginning. But there's another kind of rite of passage at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where Reverent Mervin Oglethorpe is giving his last service. He's been called to preach in Texas, and he's already bought a ten-gallon hat and is preparing to ride into the sunset with his wife June, who is eight months pregnant. Tomorrow morning, young Dennis Sanders takes over as Mount Pleasant's pastor. Join the Sanders Family as they send Mervin and June off in style, with hilarious and touching stories and twenty-five toe-tapping Bluegrass Gospel favorites.

For tickets, visit the Rep online: www.rochesterrep.org

Community Theater Productions

If you know of an upcoming production, let me know the pertinent information by e-mailing Minnesota Theatre at rjstuber@gmail.com, or post a comment below.

Glengarry Glen Ross

By David Mamet, directed by Nicholas Dibble
Presented by Theater Du Jour
August 17, 18; 8:00pm
August 19, 2:00 pm
Chateau Theater
3450 E Circle Drive NE
Rochester, Minnesota
www.theaterdujour.com

Sunshine Boys

By Neil Simon, directed by Jeff Thauwald
Presented by Brave Community Theatre
August 15, 16, 17, 18; 7:30 pm
Spring Valley Community Center
Spring Valley, Minnesota

Brave Community Theatre of Spring Valley, Minnesota has produced shows for 34 years, entertaining southeast Minnesota at the Spring Valley Community Center and in area Arts Centers. Visit www.bravecommunitytheatre.org

Fiddler on the Roof

Presented by Pine Island People for the Arts
August 23, 24, 25; 7:30 pm
August 26; 2 pm
Pine Island High School Auditorium
Pine Island, Minnesota
Tickets are $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 3-12.

The Veggie Villain, or He Had a Steak in It

Presented by Lanesboro Community Theater
August 25; 1 pm and 5 pm
Sylvan Park
Lanesboro, Minnesota
There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.

Community Theater Productions

If you know of an upcoming production, let me know the pertinent information by e-mailing Minnesota Theatre at rjstuber@gmail.com, or post a comment below.

The Music Man

By Meredith Willson
Presented by Wit's End Theatre
August 8, 9, 10
Potter Auditorium
Chatfield, Minnesota

"The Music Man" is the fourth annual production of the Wit's End Theatre. For more information, see Wit's End Theatre page at SEMPAN.

The Sound of Music

Music by Richard Rogers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Presented by Rock Solid Youth Center
August 9, 10, 11; 7:30 pm
August 12; 4:00 pm
Rock Solid Youth Center
75 West Third Street
Winona, Minnesota
507-457-2125

Glengarry Glen Ross

By David Mamet, directed by Nicholas Dibble
Presented by Theater Du Jour
August 10, 11; 8:00pm
August 12; 2:00pm
August 17, 18; 8:00pm
August 19, 2:00 pm
Chateau Theater
3450 E Circle Drive NE
Rochester, Minnesota
www.theaterdujour.com

Sunshine Boys

By Neil Simon, directed by Jeff Thauwald
Presented by Brave Community Theatre
August 15, 16, 17, 18; 7:30 pm
Spring Valley Community Center
Spring Valley, Minnesota

Brave Community Theatre of Spring Valley, Minnesota has produced shows for 34 years, entertaining southeast Minnesota at the Spring Valley Community Center and in area Arts Centers. Visit www.bravecommunitytheatre.org

Community Theater Productions

If you know of an upcoming production, let me know the pertinent information by e-mailing Minnesota Theater at rjstuber@gmail.com, or post a comment below.

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan. Directed by Judy Brone.
Fountain City River Players
July 25, 26, 27, 28, 29; 7:30 p.m.
July 29; 2 p.m
Fountain City Auditorium
Fountain City, Wisconsin

The Fountain City Players have built a reputation for putting on great summer musicals utilizing the area’s best young actors. Modern Millie is guaranteed to be a lot of fun.

Tickets available at Hardt’s Music, Midtown Foods (at the Winona Mall), Fountain City Kwick Trip and Waumandee State Bank, or by calling (608) 687-7174.

The Music Man

By Meredith Wilson
Phoenix Theatre production
July 19 – 21; 7:00 p.m.
July 21; 2:00 p.m.
July 26 – 29; 7:00 p.m.
July 29; 2:00 p.m.
Sheldon Theatre
443 West 3rd Street
Red Wing, Minnesota

Tickets at 800-899-5759

Community Theater Productions

Summer is a time for community theater, and southern Minnesota is bursting with a wide range of opportunities to see your neighbors ply the boards on stages big and small. The more I look, the more productions I see. I know I'm not finding all of them, but I'll try and list what I can. If you know of an upcoming production, let me know the pertinent information by e-mailing Minnesota Theater at rjstuber@gmail.com, or post a comment below.

How to Talk Minnesotan

By Howard Mohr; Directed by Myron Schober, musical direction by Dianna Poppe
July 18, 19, 20 – 7:30 p.m.
July 21, 22 – 2:00 p.m.
Rushford High School
Rushford, Minnesota

Rushford Area Society for the Arts (RASA) presents its 28th annual summer theater production. The productions are always good and tickets go fast. (RASA notes that the theater is air conditioned.) For more information, visit RASA at SMPAN

Tickets available at About a Buck in Rushford or by calling 507-251- 9599 for reservations.

Old-time radio at the Jon Hassler Theatre

Rochester Radio Theatre Guild
July 20 – 21, 8 p.m.
Jon Hassler Theater
Plainview, Minnesota

The Rochester Radio Theatre Guild will present radio classics, including “Fibber McGee and Molly,” “The Mysterious Traveler” and a Stan Freberg sketch “Max's Delicatessen,” as well as commercials, jingles, and sound effects. The guild is celebrating its 20th anniversary season.

Tickets are $12 and can be reserved by phone at (507) 534-2900 or 1-866-548-7469.

How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser; book by Abe Burrows
Ye Olde Opera House
July 18 – 22; 8:30 p.m.
155 W. Main
Spring Grove, Minnesota

Call (507) 498-JULY for reserved tickets.

The Music Man

By Meredith Wilson
Phoenix Theatre production
July 19 – 21; 7:00 p.m.
July 21; 2:00 p.m.
July 26 – 29; 7:00 p.m.
July 29; 2:00 p.m.
Sheldon Theatre
443 West 3rd Street
Red Wing, Minnesota

Tickets at 800-899-5759

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan. Directed by Judy Brone.
Fountain City River Players
July 25, 26, 27, 28, 29; 7:30 p.m.
July 29; 2 p.m
Fountain City Auditorium
Fountain City, Wisconsin

The Fountain City Players have built a reputation for putting on great summer musicals utilizing the area’s best young actors. Modern Millie is guaranteed to be a lot of fun.

Tickets available at Hardt’s Music, Midtown Foods (at the Winona Mall), Fountain City Kwick Trip and Waumandee State Bank, or by calling (608) 687-7174.