It was a performance worth dying for... and they did!
The Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre presents Forever Plaid, the musical comedy, May 18-22 at the Fire Hall Theatre in Grand Forks, ND.
This hilariously charming hit musical will take you on a trip to Fiftiesville with Sparky, Jinx, Smudge and Frankie, a fictional 1950's boy band. Tragically, and inconveniently struck down before their first big gig, "The Plaids" will be brought back to earth to take the stage one last time.
This critically acclaimed musical celebrating the precision harmonies and well choreographed moves that were the epitome of 1950's traditional values, home and harmony, the uproariously entertaining Forever Plaid is perfect for the entire family. Filled with the nostalgic sounds of the 1950's, the musical incorporates beautifully composed close four part harmony. "The Plaids" sing some of the 50's greatest hits including "Catch a Falling Star," "Three Coins in the Fountain," "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" and "Magic Moments." Forever Plaid features a book by Stuart Ross, Musical Continuity Supervision and Arrangements by James Raitt.
The multi-talented cast of Forever Plaid will feature Cody Oss, Ken McGurran, Joel Braxton and Alex Sidles. Forever Plaid is directed and staged by Fire Hall veteran Jared Kinney, with Music Direction by Marlys Murphy.
Tickets for Forever Plaid are $15 for adults and $12 for students, seniors and military. Group discounts are available. All ticketing available through the Chester Fritz Box Office at 701-777-4090. Tickets go onsale April 19. FIRE HALL SEASON TICKET HOLDERS can get tickets for $10 through the Fritz, or at the door.
Forever Plaid runs May 18-22 at 7:30 pm at the Fire Hall Theatre in Downtown Grand Forks. For information, visit ggfct.com.
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THE SWEET STUFF to hold World Premiere on Fire Hall Stage
A brand new two act drama by Chicago-based playwright Jayme McGahn to premiere on Fire Hall stage June 15-19.
Blue-collar Jerry Ward
finds himself and his daughter caught in a high stakes game of cat and mouse
after the sudden death of his wife. Jerry's singularly rare blood type is
the only thing keeping the son of the powerful, white-collar Walter Joyce
alive. The tension swells as Jerry's daughter becomes a pawn in this
suspense story that confronts the issues of medical ethics, the real
commodities that rule our lives, and begs the question: what are the acceptable
moral boundaries a parent can overlook to save their only child?
The Sweet Stuff is directed by UND Theatre faculty member Emily Cherry. The cast includes:
Colin Wasmund (Jerry Ward) is from Morris, MN. He holds an M.F.A in Acting and has worked regionally in New York and Illinois. He currently teaches theatre at Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN.
Carl Lindberg (Walter Joyce) is from Manteca, CA. He holds an M.F.A. in Directing and has worked regionally in California and Minnesota. He is a freelance actor and director and founder of Chased By An Elephant Theatre Co.
Ashlee Edgemon (Dr. Sirsi, Teresa, Louise) is from Greenwood, IN. She holds an M.F.A. in Acting and has worked regionally in Indiana and Illinois. She is a freelance actor and choreographer based out of Chicago.
Jessica Snyder (Barbara Joyce, Dr. Lannon) is from Woodstock, GA. She holds an M.F.A. in Costume Design and has worked regionally in Georgia and Illinois. She is a freelance actor and costume designer based out of Chicago.
After the world premiere, The Sweet Stuff will perform at The Yellowtree Theatre in the Twin Cities and Gorilla Tango in Chicago.
"This is a unique opportunity for Grand Forks," Fire Hall Executive Director Benjamin Klipfel said. "Not only are we presenting a brand new, never before seen work, but will have the opportunity to see professional actors from outside our region."
Tickets will go onsale through the Chester Fritz Box Office (701-777-4090) May 15, 2010. Tickets will be $15 for adults, $12 for students, seniors and military. This production contains adult situations and language.
Crimson Creek Presents the Tony Award Winning Musical Comedy... Spelling Bee
Crimson Creek, who has brought you "The Great American Trailer Park Musical," "HAIR," "Chicago," and "Cabaret," is back with the Tony Award Winning musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a one act musical comedy with music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin. The show centers around a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally-quirky grown-ups. This production stars regional favorites Maura Ferguson, Daniel Dutot, Michelle McCauley, Tyler Rood, Mari Biel and Paul Vonasek. Crimson welcomes newcomers Lori Boucher, Matt Berdahl and Haley Boyd to this talented and hilarious ensemble.
Spelling Bee will run July 6-17 at the Fire Hall Stage. Ticketing available beginning June 15 through the Chester Fritz Box Office.
Production directed by Chris Berg (HAIR, Trailer Park Musical), with musical direction by Amanda Hill (Annie). The production's producer is Benjamin Klipfel.
Crimson Creek Presents the Mel Brook's comedy: The Producers
Crimson Creek presents it's largest musical to date: The Producers. Based on the hailarious Mel Brooks movie of the same name (starring Zero Mastel and Gene Wilder), The Producers was made famous on the stage by Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.
The Producers follows loser Broadway producer Max Bialystock (played by East Grand Forks native Paul Vonasek) and his accountant/producer apprentice Leo Bloom (MSUM graduate Matt Berdahl) as they try to over-produce a Broadway flop in order to swindle their investors out of money.
Their success hinges on the perfect formula: a flop of a script (SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER, A GAY ROMP WITH EVA AND ADOLF AT BERCHTESGADEN) written by insane former Nazi Franz Liebken (played by Daniel Dutot), and the worst director they can hire (overtly homosexual and flamboyant Roger DeBeris, played by Daniel Walstad). Throw the unintelligent, untalented, but sexy Ulla (played by Haley Boyd) in to the mix, and you've got a surefire disaster!
Outrageous, hilarious, a teeny bit offensive, off the wall, and the winner of a record 12 Tony Awards are just a few things that THE PRODUCERS is. But it is never boring and you will find yourself holding your sides with laughter as Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom sing and dance their way through the greatest show biz scam that there ever was.
Rounding out the cast is Lori Boucher, Joe Bussy, Emily Wirkus, Tyler Rood, Joel Braxton, Amelia Schmitz, Cody Oss, Casey Smith, Tomas Grande, Emily Burkland, Michelle McCauley and Ken McGurran.
The Producers will run August 3-14 at the Burtness Theatre on UND Campus. Ticketing available beginning July 6 through the Chester Fritz Box Office at 701-777-4090. Tickets are $18/15.
"The show will be staged at the Burtness Theatre," Producer Benjamin Klipfel said. "This isn't a permanent move from the Empire, but the show requires more space than the Empire has." The Producers is the most technically challenging show that Crimson has undertook. According to Klipfel, this challenge and a partnership with UND allowed for the production to be staged in a larger space.
Production directed by Emily Cherry, with musical direction by David Hendrickson. The production's producers are Benjamin Klipfel and Chris Berg.
