Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre tickets go on sale May 12

WINONA, Minn. — Audiences in search of light-hearted comedy will laugh their way through the second season of Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre. The children’s production premiere of “The Mouse Expedition” has been added to the professional theatre company’s summer lineup, which also includes the popular musical “Little Shop of Horrors” and the hilarious comedy “The Foreigner.”

All shows run July through August in rotation. “The Mouse Expedition” will be staged at the Valéncia Academy Theatre, located at 10th and Vila streets; the other two performances will be held at Page Theatre, located in the Saint Mary’s University Performance Center.

Tickets — on sale starting Monday, May 12 — will be available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and online at www.smumn.edu/gilmorecreek. Tickets for “Little Shop of Horrors” and “The Foreigner” are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $12 for youth ages 12 to 18. Family and group rates are available. Tickets for “The Mouse Expedition” are $8 for all seats, with family and group packages available.

Judy Myers, returning for a second year as artistic director, is excited to bring in two familiar classic comedies, as well a new children’s production this summer.

“Little Shop of Horrors,” follows Seymour, a down-and-out skid row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant, which he names Audrey II, with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon Audrey II grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore that offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite. Audrey II finally reveals itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination. Written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, this musical is based on the film by Roger Corman and screenplay by Charles Griffith.

“The Foreigner” by Larry Shue demonstrates what can happen when a group of devious characters must deal with a stranger who (they think) knows no English. The locals of a rural Georgian fishing lodge are told that an innocent, shy young man named Charlie speaks no English. As the plot progresses, Charlie overhears more than he should: the evil plans of a sinister, two-faced minister and his redneck associate; the fact that the minister's pretty fiancée is pregnant; and many other damaging revelations made with the thought that Charlie doesn't understand a word being said. The wildly funny climax separates the "bad guys," and the “good guys” and ensures a happy ending.

In “The Mouse Expedition,” Henry and Caroline Goldthwaite open a special present from their father and get a big surprise. Written by Erin Malcolm and Brian Blankenship, “The Mouse Expedition” is an exciting, high-energy audience participation children’s show. The play follows the journey of Henry and Caroline as they travel through the forest in search of four lost mice children. On the way, they meet lots of quirky characters and face many challenges that require the audience’s help to get through. The show is suitable for children ages 4 and older.
“The Foreigner” will be directed by Steve Snyder, a faculty member of Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., who returns to GCST after having directed last summer’s successful production of “Lend Me a Tenor.” “The Mouse Expedition” will be directed by Sarah St. Laurent, and Myers will direct “Little Shop of Horrors.” Gary Diomandes will again serve as GCST’s artistic associate and Kit Mayer is returning as production manager and resident scene designer. Anthony Freeman will serve as the musical director and Christine Martin as choreographer on “Little Shop of Horrors.”


Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre Schedule
July 10 “Little Shop of Horrors” 7:30 p.m.
July 11 “Little Shop of Horrors” 7:30 p.m.
July 12 “Little Shop of Horrors” 7:30 p.m.
July 13 “Little Shop of Horrors” 3 p.m.

July 17 “The Foreigner” 7:30 p.m.
July 18 “The Foreigner” 7:30 p.m.
July 19 “The Mouse Expedition” 3 p.m.
July 19 “The Foreigner” 7:30 p.m.

July 20 “The Foreigner” 3 p.m.
July 22 “The Mouse Expedition” 6 p.m.
July 24 “The Foreigner” 7:30 p.m.
July 25 “Little Shop of Horrors” 7:30 p.m.
July 26 “The Mouse Expedition” 1 p.m.
July 26 “The Foreigner” 7:30 p.m.

July 27 “Little Shop of Horrors” 3 p.m.
July 29 “The Mouse Expedition” 6 p.m.
July 31 “Little Shop of Horrors” 7:30 p.m.

August 1 “The Foreigner” 7:30 p.m.
August 2 “The Mouse Expedition” 10 a.m.
August 2 “Little Shop of Horrors” 7:30 p.m.
August 3 “The Foreigner” 3 p.m.