A note to share...

A wonderful note from someone who just saw our silent movies for the first time: 

"I just spent a wonder-ful, inspiring few hours watching and re-watching all of the "Silent Movies in the Park After Dark." What a brilliant, moving, hilarious, heartbreaking, sweet and super fun collection. This is theater at its best: people of all ages and walks coming together joyfully to create and share something meaningful.

If Lanesboro is our home (it will always feel so to me), then the St. Mane Theater/Lanesboro Community Theater is our hearth. It is where we gather to warm and fortify ourselves, tell our stories, renew our spirits. Thank you, Barb and all, for stoking this fire at the core of the Lanesboro community."

Thank you!!

Leaving Iowa Audition Information

“LEAVING IOWA”
By Tim Clue & Spike Manton
Director: Barbara Benson Keith
Contact: bkeithdesigns@yahoo.com
AUDITIONS: Wednesday and Thursday, January 2 and 3, at 6:30-7:30 
Lanesboro Community Center basement, 202 Parkway Ave. S., Lanesboro, MN
If neither of these dates work for you, please contact Barb to set up another audition. 
SHOW DATES: Feb. 22, 23, 24, Mar. 1, 2, 3 
Two weekends, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00, Sunday matinees at 2:00
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: First rehearsal will be on January 7 (full cast read through). Rehearsals vary for actors depending on roles. The schedule will be handed out to the cast on January 7. Rehearsals will be scheduled M-Th generally.

SYNOPSIS: In the hilarious comedy “Leaving Iowa”, successful Boston writer Don, having missed his father’s funeral three years earlier, feels compelled now to return his ashes to his father’s boyhood home. Arriving there, only to discover the family homestead is now a grocery store, Don is faced with a dilemma - what to do with Dad’s ashes? Not wanting to turn around and go back to tell Mom and Sis he failed his mission, Don sets out on a road trip to find the proper alternative resting place for his father’s ashes. The play features the all-too-familiar family road trip flashbacks taken by Dad, Mom, Sis and Don throughout his childhood. Don relives these delightful and disastrous family vacations – like those in all of our memories – through flashbacks from his past and vignettes including an assortment of present-day characters he meets along the way. 

CAST: 3m., 3w., May be expanded to 26 actors.

DON BROWNING (30s-40s) – the protagonist and narrator; a writer living in Boston, Don embarks on a road trip to bring his father’s ashes to his childhood home. The actor needs charm, sensitivity, and comedic timing as well as the ability to switch between the adult narrator and the child for flashbacks.

DAD (60s)– Don’s father and former baseball coach; he is a classic example of the over-eager road trip dad, dorky and unaware at times, but passionate about “fun” family adventures - a good guy at heart. Dad needs a blend of authority and likeability.

MOM (60s) – Don’s mother is tender and loving, a dutiful wife, willing to go along with Dad on his lackluster vacations. Mom will need the proper amount of quirk and compassion.

SIS (30s-40s)– Don’s little sister; this character appears as the adult version to begin the play but is primarily used in flashbacks as the antagonistic presence in the back seat. The actor will need to portray truthfully an endearing, little girl and have enough of a personality to pull off the painfully annoying sibling.

MULTIPLE CHARACTERS (to be split among a number of actors) – the range of characters in this ensemble is broad; these comedic characters need bold, dynamic personalities and great variety of physical and vocal choices. There are 22 exciting individual characters - some are on for a page, some for a few pages. Rehearsals will be minimal in January for these actors.

"I'm looking forward to seeing you at the auditions! This is going to be a very fun show to do. If you have ever considered being in a play, this is a great way to get started. There are lots of great small roles."
 - Barbara Benson Keith (director)

"Simultaneously hilarious and touching."
—Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"Leaves you with a smile on your face and a desire to hug your kids." —The Detroit News

"Quintessential family entertainment." —The Chelsea Standard

"A comedy with a surprisingly deep soul."
—Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"A simply beautiful comedy." —Jeff Daniels

Our 2013 Season!

Announcing our 2013 season! Please join us for:
"Leaving Iowa" - Feb. 22, 23, 24, Mar 1, 2, 3
"Radio Gals" - July 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
"Silent Movies in the Park after Dark" - Sept 14, 15

(Auditions for "Leaving Iowa" will be Jan 2 and 3. Watch this page for more information!)

Play Reading

Our final play reading will be tonight at 6 at the Lanesboro Library. We're reading "Music Man". Hope to see you there!

Play Reading this Thursday!

We are going to have a play reading on Thursday night at 6:00 at the Lanesboro Library. Come and join us to read "Leaving Iowa", which is a possibility for our winter play!

Silent Movies were a HIT!

A big thank you to everyone who came to see our "Silent Movies in the Park After Dark"! We had about 200 on Saturday night and 225 on Sunday! Everyone loved seeing themselves, their neighbors and friends in Rumplestiltskin, Sleeping Beauty, and The Three Bikers and the Trail Troll. Thank you all of our volunteers who acted in the movies, who helped behind the scenes, who helped set up the nights of the showing, who entertained the nights of the showing, and everyone else who was involved in any way - and there were many of you!

Silent Movies in the Park After Dark!

Silent Movies in the Park after Dark!

A trailer for our silent movie nights! Hope to see you there on Sept. 8 and 9! Please share!

Please mark your calendars for this very fun event! It's a silent movie made in Lanesboro starring your friends and neighbors. You won't want to miss it!

Melodrama Cancelled!!!

We are sorry to announce that the melodrama in the park has been cancelled. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. But we have a very special event coming in September. Watch this space for an announcement!

Auditions!!

It's time for another show!! Auditions are next week for the melodrama in the park, titled She Was Only a Farmer's Daughter. Stop by the Lanesboro Community Center between 6pm and 8 on July 10 or 11. No preparation necessary.


She Was Only a Farmer’s Daughter, by Millard Crosby, is the story of farmer’s daughter Millie Spivens, who goes off to the big city for her education where she becomes the victim of the deep-eyed villain Mulberry Foxhall, the most despicable villain that ever trod the boards. She returns to the small farm town to work at an inn where she catches the attention of her high school friend, Osgood Smithers. Alas, Mulberry appears on the scene and makes life intolerable for our heroine. There are stolen jewels, wrongful accusations and a surprising twist before Millie and the hero, Osgood, do prevail in the end, and Mulberry Foxhall goes slinking off.

Performances will be at Sylvan Park in Lanesboro on August 25 and 26 at 4:00 p.m. For more information call director Sandy Webb at 467-2251.

"Don't Hug Me" opens Friday at 7:00pm!!!

The cast of "Don't Hug Me" is hoping to see you this weekend! Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm, Sunday at 2:00. St. Mane Theatre in Lanesboro. You'll have a heckuva time, you betcha!!

"Don't Hug Me" opens this Friday! Also, play reading Thursday!

Oh, my gosh, it's going to be a heckuva play! Hope you can come! "Don't Hug Me!" opens on Friday! Get your tickets in advance by calling the Lanesboro Arts Center 507-467-2446. The play is June 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 7:00, and also June 24 and July 1 at 2:00. St. Mane Theatre, Lanesboro.


"Don't Hug Me" synopsis:  Oh, for cryin’ in yer snow shoes! It’s the coldest day of the year in Bunyan Bay when a slick karaoke salesman arrives at the bar and turns the locals’ lives upside down. With its over the top songs and crazy characters, this “Minnesota love story with singin’ and stuff” will have you laughing until the spring thaw!

Don't Hug Me takes place in Bunyan Bay, Minnesota. Cantankerous bar owner, Gunner Johnson, wants to sell the business and move to Florida. Clara, his wife and former Winter Carnival Bunyan Queen, wants to stay. Bernice Lundstrom, the pretty waitress, wants to pursue a singing career. Her fiance, Kanute Gunderson, wants her to stay home. It's a battle of wills, and when a fast-talking salesman, Aarvid Gisselsen, promises to bring romance into their lives through the 'magic' of karaoke, all heck breaks loose!


Not only that, but we will have our Third Thursday play reading on Thursday, June 21 at 6pm at the library. In honor of LCT's musical opening the next day, we'll read a musical - The Music Man!

Play Reading - "Lettice and Lovage"

Hope you can join us for this month's play reading tomorrow! We'll read Lettice and Lovage, a comedic play by Peter Schaffer at the library at 6pm Thursday night, May 17. See you there!

Melodrama Information

It's off in the future, but the auditions for the melodrama will be July 10 and 11, with performances August 25 and 26. Mark your calendars, and watch this space for more info as the dates draw near!

Don't Hug Me - Cast announced, Play Reading

Director Rita Dalzell has announced the cast for "Don't Hug Me":
Clara -Krista Johnson
Gunner-Tom Schramm
Bernice-Barb Benson Keith
Kanute-Robin Krom
Aarvid -Rick Nance
Congratulations to all! Thanks to everyone who auditioned!

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE PLAY READING!

Want to find out why the musical "Don't Hug Me" is so funny before everyone else? Come read the play this Thursday, April 19, at 6:00 at the library. Everyone is invited!

Play Reading Thursday Night!

At this month's play reading, we are going to read from the musical, Don't Hug Me, which is going to be performed in June by LCT! It's this Thursday, April 19, at 6:00 at the library. Read the posts below for a show synopsis. It's going to be fun! Everyone is invited!

Auditions for Don't Hug Me!

Lanesboro Community Theater announces auditions for the hilarious musical comedy "Don't Hug Me" April 11 and 12 from 6:30 until 8 at the Lanesboro Community Center. Director Rita Dalzell will be looking for two women and three men. No preparation is necessary. Performances are June 22 - July1.

What is Don't Hug Me? It's Fargo meets The Music Man (without the blood or the trombones).

Oh, for cryin’ in yer snow shoes! It’s the coldest day of the year in Bunyan Bay when a slick karaoke salesman arrives at the bar and turns the locals’ lives upside down. With its over the top songs and crazy characters, this “Minnesota love story with singin’ and stuff” will have you laughing until the spring thaw!

Don't Hug Me takes place in Bunyan Bay, Minnesota. Cantankerous bar owner, Gunner Johnson, wants to sell the business and move to Florida. Clara, his wife and former Winter Carnival Bunyan Queen, wants to stay. Bernice Lundstrom, the pretty waitress, wants to pursue a singing career. Her fiance, Kanute Gunderson, wants her to stay home. It's a battle of wills, and when a fast-talking salesman, Aarvid Gisselsen, promises to bring romance into their lives through the 'magic' of karaoke, all heck breaks loose!

Featuring the songs, "I'm a Walleye Woman in a Crappie Town," "My Smorgasbord of Love," and "I Wanna Go to the Mall of America."

Moon Over Buffalo a Success!

"Tell the cast thank you SOOOOOO much for making us laugh today!!! They gave us and the entire audience such a gift."

"Incredibly well done and really lots of fun - felt part of the theatrical dysfunction. You are pros! Thanks for a wonderfully funny drama."

"One of the top 5 shows I've ever seen! Well Done!"

"It was awesome. SOOOO FUNNY!"

You can watch a short video from our production HERE.

Thanks to everyone who was involved in this wonderful show, either on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience!

Only One Weekend Left!!

Don't miss this show! Everyone is talking about Lanesboro Community Theater's Moon Over Buffalo! I just heard that the tickets for next weekend's shows are "selling like hotcakes"! Call the Lanesboro Arts Center to get your tickets! 507-467-2446.

Friday 7pm

Saturday 7pm

Sunday 2pm

St. Mane Theater, Lanesboro

Moon Over Buffalo opens Friday night!!

Why do these two look so happy? Come and find out! Moon Over Buffalo opens on Friday night at the St. Mane Theater in Lanesboro!

Lanesboro Community Theater presents

Moon Over Buffalo

at the St. Mane Theatre

Friday, Feb. 24, 7:00 pm

Saturday, Feb 25, 7:00 pm

Sunday, Feb 26, 2:00 pm

Friday, Mar. 2, 7:00 pm

Saturday, Mar. 3, 7:00 pm

Sunday, Mar. 4, 2:00 pm

$12 adults/$10 seniors, students

Tickets at the door, or in advance at the Lanesboro Arts Center.

"Like" us on Facebook!

Moon Over Buffalo opens Friday night!!

Lanesboro Community Theater presents

Moon Over Buffalo

at the St. Mane Theatre

Friday, Feb. 24, 7:00 pm

Saturday, Feb 25, 7:00 pm

Sunday, Feb 26, 2:00 pm

Friday, Mar. 2, 7:00 pm

Saturday, Mar. 3, 7:00 pm

Sunday, Mar. 4, 2:00 pm

$12 adults/$10 seniors, students

Tickets at the door, or in advance at the Lanesboro Arts Center.

"Like" us on Facebook!

Play Reading Tonight!

We hope you can come the the library tonight at 6:00 to participate in the reading of a melodrama. It should be lots of fun!

Tickets now on sale!

Lanesboro Community Theater presents

Moon Over Buffalo

at the St. Mane Theatre

Friday, Feb. 24, 7:00 pm

Saturday, Feb 25, 7:00 pm

Sunday, Feb 26, 2:00 pm

Friday, Mar. 2, 7:00 pm

Saturday, Mar. 3, 7:00 pm

Sunday, Mar. 4, 2:00 pm

$12 adults/$10 seniors, students

Tickets at the door, or in advance at the Lanesboro Arts Center.

"Like" us on Facebook!

Cast Announced!

We are pleased to announce the cast for Moon Over Buffalo!

GEORGE – Rick Nance
CHARLOTTE – Karrie Ellingson
RICHARD – Tom Schramm
PAUL – Terry Neneman
ROZ – Jody Rinn
HOWARD – Robin Krom
ETHEL – Bonnie Hulsing
EILEEN – Krista Flaig
SOLDIER DE GUICHE – Joel Hulsing
SECOND SOLDIER – Val Tindall
THIRD SOLDIER – Brian Luna and Sandy Webb

It's going to be a great show! Please mark your calendars for our performances on Feb. 24, 25, 26 and Mar. 2, 3, and 4!