2014 Season Announcement

We are happy to announce our 2014 season! Our summer musical will be Fiddler on the Roof! We'll also do the silent movies again next September. (We will have no winter show due to renovations at the theater.)

Thank You!

Lanesboro Community Theater sends a big THANK YOU to the 85 people who acted in the movie and the 400 or so people that attended the movie nights in the park, including the audience members, the volunteers, and the preshow entertainment. We are so happy to be in a community with such wonderful people. Thank you!

DVDs of the movies are now for sale at the Lanesboro Arts Center for $10 each. Get yours and enjoy the movies again and again!

IN CASE OF RAIN

IN CASE OF RAIN, the silent movies will go on - in the community center next door to Sylvan Park! 7:30 entertainment, 8:00 movies.

Silent Movies in the Park After Dark!

Volunteers Needed!

Hey, theater supporters, An opportunity to participate in the magic of Silent Movies in the Park After Dark. Take a look at this list and see if there's something you' d like to do. There's set up and take down and preshow performing. Please email Sandy at vanvelsor@gmail.com and let her know how you can support this activity. Some of you have already responded. Thanks! -Sandy

Saturday, September 14
Screen setup
Screen take down
LCT table (donations and sell CD)
LCT table set up
SCT table take down
MC preshow and introduce movie
Perform in preshow (you or someone you can suggest)
Sing in preshow (you or someone you can suggest)
A kid to do magic tricks?
Greeters
Wear giant puppet costume around

Sunday, September 15
Screen setup
Screen take down
LCT table (donations and sell CD)
LCT table set up
SCT table take down
MC preshow and introduce movie
Perform in preshow (you or someone you can suggest)
Sing in preshow (you or someone you can suggest)
A kid to do magic tricks?
Greeters
Wear giant puppet costume around

Silent Movies in the Park after Dark!

Coming up next for the Lanesboro Community Theater are the "Silent Movies in the Park after Dark" at dusk on September 14 and 15 in Sylvan Park! Bring your lawn chairs and come out for a free evening of locally made movies starring your own friends and neighbors!

Thank you!

We would like to thank everyone who was involved with "Radio Gals"! That includes our wonderful cast, our director, music director and music combo. It includes our stage managers, our lighting guys, our sound guy and our choreographer. It includes our ushers, the people who did concessions, our ticket guy, the folks at LAC who took our ticket orders. It includes people who helped onstage when others couldn't make it, Kay, and the set guy. Most of all, we would like to thank YOU, the audience. Without you, we couldn't do this. Thanks to everyone who became members during this show! Here are some of the cast and crew:

Next up... "Silent Movies in the Park after Dark"! Sept. 14 and 15 at dusk in Sylvan Park

Newsletter

Did you get the latest newsletter? If not, you can view it HERE. Better yet, sign up to get your own future copies HERE.

Radio Gals Tickets Now on Sale

The old fashioned musical "Radio Gals" opens July 19th! Advance tickets are now on sale at the Lanesboro Arts Center or by calling 507-467-2446. You can also get tickets at the door if it's not sold out. There will be six performances: July 19, 20, 21 and 26, 27, 28. Friday and Saturdays at 7:00, Sundays at 2:00.

"RADIO GALS" is a musical by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick, set in the late l920's, and concerning an enterprising woman, Hazel Hunt, of Cedar Ridge, Arkansas who, upon her retirement as the town music teacher, receives a Western Electric 500 watt radio transmitter and begins broadcasting as radio station "WGAL". What comes out over the local airwaves is a small town diary, calendar, and stream of consciousness -- sort of a Molly Bloom crossed with the Farmers' Almanac -- with generous dollops of singing and playing by Hazel's orchestra, "the Hazelnuts", and that lovesick flapper Gladys Fritts. However, due to Hazel's habit of "channel wandering", her broadcasts are not always so local, and listeners as far away as Montreal and Manhattan can testify. Enter O. B. Abbott, Federal Radio Inspector, intent on rescuing the airwaves from gypsies like Hazel Hunt. However, Mr. Abbott soon falls prey to the blandishments of the Hazelnuts, and the Shangri-La that is Cedar Ridge. Inspector Abbott, it turns out, also has a fine tenor voice, plays a mean guitar, and in the course of things falls for the flapper...

Featuring:
Sandy Webb as Hazel Hunt
Bonnie Hulsing as Gladys Fritts
Barbara Benson Keith as Rennabelle
Kay Wold as Azilee Swindle
Beth Hennessy as Mabel Swindle
Val Tindall as America
Kevin Hoeltzle as O. B. Abbott

New E-News Bulletin

We've just sent out our first e-news bulletin. If you aren't signed up yet, you can read it HERE. But we also suggest you sign up for future issues HERE.

E-News Bulletin Sign-up

We are starting an E-News Bulletin to keep you up to date in style! The bulletin will let you know about the latest plays, auditions, and other events related to LCT. You can sign up HERE. Thanks!

Radio Gals Cast Announced!

The cast of this summer's musical "Radio Gals" is announced!

Sandy Webb as Hazel Hunt
Bonnie Hulsing as Gladys Fritts
Barbara Benson Keith as Rennabelle
Kay Wold as Azilee Swindle
Beth Hennessy as Mabel Swindle
Val Tindall as America
Kevin Hoeltzle as O. B. Abbott

It's going to be a great show! Thanks so much to everyone who auditioned!

Announcing Auditions for Summer Musical

Auditions will be April 15 from 6:00 - 8:00 and April 16 from 5:00 - 6:00 at the St. Mane Theatre in Lanesboro. Director Rita Dalzell is looking for six women and one man for this lively homespun musical comedy. No preparation is necessary. Limited rehearsals begin in May. There will be six performances: July 19, 20, 21 and 26, 27, 28.

"RADIO GALS" is a musical by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick, set in the late l920's, and concerning an enterprising woman, Hazel Hunt, of Cedar Ridge, Arkansas who, upon her retirement as the town music teacher, receives a Western Electric 500 watt radio transmitter and begins broadcasting as radio station "WGAL". What comes out over the local airwaves is a small town diary, calendar, and stream of consciousness -- sort of a Molly Bloom crossed with the Farmers' Almanac -- with generous dollops of singing and playing by Hazel's "all-girl" orchestra, "the Hazelnuts", and that lovesick flapper Gladys Fritts. However, due to Hazel's habit of "channel wandering", her broadcasts are not always so local. And listeners as far away as Montreal and Manhattan can testify. Enter O. B. Abbott, Federal Radio Inspector, intent on rescuing the airwaves from gypsies like Hazel Hunt. However, Mr. Abbott soon falls prey to the blandishments of the Hazelnuts, and the Shangri-La that is Cedar Ridge. Inspector Abbott, it turns out, also has a fine tenor voice, plays a mean accordion, and in the course of things falls for the flapper...

Characters:

HAZEL HUNT: Retirement age, matronly. Shrewd, enthusiastic, perhaps a bit dotty, but definitely in control. Hazel is the town's beloved music teacher and patroness of the arts.
GLADYS FRITTS: Middle aged. More dramatic than Hazel: high strung, and excitable. Gladys is a small town gal who yearns for greater horizons. She considers herself artistic and sophisticated. She possesses a deep love of poetry, and has studied voice.
O.B. ABBOTT: Bureaucratic and self important yet underneath he has the soul of a poet. Abbott is a "closet" musician and singer.
AMERICA: Breezy, sunny, open young woman. Unsophisticated yet enthusiastic.
RENNABELLE: cousin to America. Somewhat more tomboyish, and sophisticated.
AZILEE SWINDLE: Elderly, well-dressed lady. Friend and associate of Hazel's.
MABEL SWINDLE: Elderly, well-dressed lady. Friend and associate of Hazel's.

Thank YOU!

Thanks so much to the hundreds of people who joined us for "Leaving Iowa"! We appreciate you! Please enjoy this highlight reel from the play!

Sunday's show - March 3

There are only four tickets left for today's matinee. If you are interested in these tickets, they will be on sale at 1:00 at the theatre today. The show begins at 2:00. (Do not call the reservation line for these tickets - they are not open today.)

SOLD OUT - Saturday, March 2

FYI - Tonight's show is SOLD OUT! However, there are still a few tickets for Sunday's show. Please call 507-467-2446 to get yours!

SOLD OUT - Friday, March 1

FYI - Tonight's show is SOLD OUT! However, there are still a few tickets for Saturday's and Sunday's show. Please call 507-467-2446 to get yours!

Large crowds!

If you are planning to come and see the show next weekend, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you get tickets in advance. We nearly sold out two shows this weekend. The word is spreading, and we anticipate three sold out shows next weekend, so please plan accordingly. Thank you! :)

Here is the information:

You aren't going to want to miss this one! Please stop by the Lanesboro Arts Center to get your tickets for "Leaving Iowa", a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about family vacations. $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students. Remaining show dates and times are:
Friday, Mar. 1 at 7pm
Saturday, Mar. 2 at 7pm
Sunday, Mar. 3 at 2pm

You can also call them at 507-467-2446. Come and see 26 of your friends and neighbors on stage in this fun show. See you there!

Leaving Iowa

You aren't going to want to miss this one! Please stop by the Lanesboro Arts Center to get your tickets for "Leaving Iowa", a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about family vacations. $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students. Show dates and times are:

Friday, Feb. 22 at 7pm
Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7pm
Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2pm

Friday, Mar. 1 at 7pm
Saturday, Mar. 2 at 7pm
Sunday, Mar. 3 at 2pm

You can also call them at 507-467-2446. Come and see 26 of your friends and neighbors on stage in this fun show. See you there!

Tickets are Now on Sale!

Please stop by the Lanesboro Arts Center to get your tickets for "Leaving Iowa", a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about family vacations. $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students. Show dates and times are:

Friday, Feb. 22 at 7pm
Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7pm
Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2pm

Friday, Mar. 1 at 7pm
Saturday, Mar. 2 at 7pm
Sunday, Mar. 3 at 2pm

You can also call them at 507-467-2446. See you there!

Cast of "Leaving Iowa" Announced!

Announcing the cast of "Leaving Iowa"!

Don - Tony Cole
Sis - Maureen Anderson
Mom - Sandy Webb
Dad - Peter Torkelson
Mrs. Johnson - Emily Naber Spende
Mr. Johnson - Daryl Goetz
Grandma - Bonita Underbakke
Grandpa - Dan Anderson
Cart Person - Krista Johnson
Joyce Hoffman - Barb Jonsgaard
Uncle Phil - Joel Hulsing
Aunt Phyllis - Bonnie Jean Hulsing
Jack - Randy Wilson
Amish 1 Samantha - Sarah Obritsch
Amish 2 Hannah - Olivia Obritsch
Civil War Guy - Tom Barnes
Museum Assistant - Krista Flaig
Mechanic - Bill Swanson
Jamie - Karen Swanson
Clerk - Ceil Allen
Drunk Lady - Shari Cole
Park Ranger - Bethany Krom
Wayne - Gordon Tindall
Jessie - Kathy Mosdal
Bob - Robin Krom
Judy - Val Tindall

Now, I ask you... am I the luckiest director in the world, or what??? :)

"Leaving Iowa" Auditions THIS WEEK!

“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