‘Almost, Maine’ at Tara Theatre

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota theatre students to stage romantic comedy
Dates: October 23-27, 2012
Tuesday through Saturday - 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: £13 / £9 CONCS

In a premiere Tara Theatre performance, Saint Mary’s University theatre majors from Winona, Minnesota, will stage the romantic comedy “Almost, Main,” written by John Cariani, a show that explores love and loss and will leave you thoroughly warmed from the inside out.

On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost's residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious way. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend — almost — in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.

Qualified theatre majors at Saint Mary's are studying theatre in London, England, this semester through the Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin Theatre in London Program. Under the guidance of Saint Mary’s faculty, the program will include a variety of classes in theatre, as well as courses focusing on broader enrichment. Students will have the unique opportunity to attend numerous performances at London’s West End, Off-West End, and Fringe theatres.

Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Director: Dr. Gary Diomandes
Stage Manager: Jon Goblirsch
Set Design: Elyssa Mattson
Lighting Design: Matthew Schneider
Costumes: Tasha Nelson
Sound Design: Charlotte Deranek
Props: Julie Frederickson
Cast: Alexander Akers, Alexander Green, Brian Pipal, Julie Frederickson, Lydia Monroe, Taylor Marshall-Miernicki, Ali Kriz, Katie Sapper

Saint Mary’s theatre majors to perform in London

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University theatre majors will stage the bittersweet comedy “Vanities,” a show that chronicles the lives, loves, disappointments and dreams of three best friends, in London Oct. 13-17.

Written by Jack Heifner, the plot revolves around three women as they mature during tumultuous times in American history — the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the height of the Vietnam War and the women’s movement. Over the course of 10 years, the women mature from starry-eyed cheerleaders to disillusioned adults, too self-absorbed to see the world changing around them. Although written in the ’70s, “Vanities” focuses on the timeless question all women ask themselves, “Can we have it all?” The play is directed by Gary Diomandes, professor of theatre and dance at Saint Mary’s.

Qualified theatre majors at Saint Mary's are studying theatre in London this semester through the Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin Theatre in London Program. Under the guidance of Saint Mary’s faculty, the program includes a variety of classes in theatre, as well as courses focusing on broader enrichment. Students will have the unique opportunity to attend numerous performances at London’s West End, Off-West End and Fringe theatres.

Saint Mary’s students to stage ‘A Chorus Line’ March 27-30

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Department of Theatre and Dance, under the direction of Judy Myers, will stage the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “A Chorus Line” March 27-30.

The show is set in an empty theatre, on a bare stage, during casting for a new Broadway musical. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It’s what they’ve worked for every day of their lives. It’s the one opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed — to have the chance to dance. The storyline delves into the personalities of the performers as they describe events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers.

The timeless classic about passion, despair and joy is the longest-running musical in Broadway history. Audiences will find themselves singing along to familiar favorites by Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban like “One (Singular Sensation),” “What I Did for Love,” and “I Hope I Get It.”

“A Chorus Line,” is the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line — a powerful metaphor for all human aspiration.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fri., March 27; Saturday, March 28; and Monday, March 30; with a 3 p.m. showing on Sunday, March 29 — all at Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org. Because of adult content, this play is suitable for mature audiences only.

Saint Mary’s to stage hopeful drama ‘The Long Christmas Ride Home’

WINONA, Minn. — The heart — and the heartbreak — of family dynamics are closely examined in the hopeful drama, “The Long Christmas Ride Home,” to be presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance at Saint Mary’s University.

In a seemingly Rockwellesque beginning, author Paula Vogel introduces audiences to a family of five, traveling by car to their grandparent’s house on Christmas Day.

Arguments ensue, unfortunate words are spoken, and we discover that memories of this dysfunctional and poignant car ride play a pivotal role in how the family’s three children mature into adulthood.

As the author intended, the three children are portrayed by Japanese Bunraku-inspired puppets. In this production each puppet is controlled by two black-cloaked figures, and one of their puppeteers (whose face is not obscured) then becomes an adult version of each child as the story flashes forwards.

Audiences also discover that the opening car ride is a memory of one of the children, Steven, who has died of AIDS. Though somewhat damaged by their past experiences, the three siblings have an enduring bond that transcends life itself.

“It’s universally beautiful,” said director Sarah St. Laurent, an SMU senior theatre major. “We all have a family, and no family is perfect. Family comes with a lot of baggage, but there are also redeeming qualities.” St. Laurent and Preston Lawing, chair of the SMU Department of Art and Design, constructed the puppets used in this presentation.

The show contains several adult themes and is recommended for mature audiences.

“The Long Christmas Ride Home” will be staged at Academy Theatre, located at the Valéncia Arts Center, 10th and Howard streets. The show runs 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26-28 and Monday, March 2; a matinee performance is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, March 1.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s students to stage ‘Playhouse Creatures’ Nov. 6-9

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Department of Theatre Arts will stage the racy historical drama “Playhouse Creatures” Nov. 6-9.

Set in 1669, a bawdy and troublesome time, “Playhouse Creatures,” by April DeAngelis details a time when theatres have just reopened after 17 years of Puritan suppression. With this surge in theatrical activity, comes a new British novelty — the actress. Too often the lines between actress and prostitute become obscured as these women walked a tightrope between admiration and derision.

Directed by Dr. Steven Bouler, “Playhouse Creatures” captures the pioneering struggles of these extraordinary women, including six of the most famous — Nell Gwyn, Elizabeth Farley, Rebecca Marshall, Elizabeth Barry, Doll Common and Mary Betterton.

Saint Mary's is pleased to present this tale of theatrical heroism and perseverance in this moving, and often comic, account of the precarious lives of Restoration actresses. Please note that this play contains adult language and situations.

“Playhouse Creatures” begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 6-8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. All performances will be held in the Academy Theatre of the Valéncia Arts Center, located at 1164 West 10th St.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s University to stage comedy ‘Bus Stop’ Sept. 25-28

WINONA, Minn. — Despite being trapped in a howling snowstorm, weary bus travelers find love and romance in a cheerful roadside diner during the Saint Mary’s University Department of Theatre Arts production of “Bus Stop” Sept. 25-28, coinciding with SMU’s Family Weekend.

In this playful romantic comedy, written by William Inge and directed by Judy Myers, Cherie, a young and pretty nightclub singer has been kidnapped by a lovesick 21-year-old cowboy with a ranch of his own (and the romantic methods of an unusually headstrong bull). Romances blossom as audiences are introduced to a roomful of colorful characters including an inebriated English professor, a virtuous bus driver and many more.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25, 26 and 27. A matinee performance is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.

Tickets for the performance — to be held in the Page Theatre — are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the Performance Center Box office, 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

The SMU Theatre Department has changed one of its previously announced productions for the upcoming school year. New to the schedule is “Playhouse Creatures” written by April DeAngelis, directed by Dr. Steven Bouler — to be presented at the Valéncia Academy Theatre, Nov. 6-9.

Previously purchased tickets for the production “She Stoops To Conquer” which is replaced by “Playhouse Creatures” will be honored; contact the Performance Center Box Office at Ext.1715.

Sacrificing our children for victory: SMU theatre arts students to stage Greek tragedy ‘Iphigenia’ April 18-21

WINONA, Minn. —The Greek tragedy “Iphigenia at Aulis” will take on chilling contemporary significance during the Saint Mary’s University’s Department of Theatre Arts production April 18-21.

“Iphigenia at Aulis,” by Euripides, centers on Iphigenia, the teenage daughter of Agamemnon, the Commander in Chief of the Coalition of Greek Forces. While waiting to attack the town of Troy, Agamemnon offends the goddess, Artemis, who denies the army the wind of modern warfare, technology, stranding the fleet in the bay of Aulis. The Priest Calchas tells him that he must sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia, to restore the wind and achieve ultimate victory.

SMU’s contemporary version of the tragedy — adapted and directed by Dr. Steven Bouler — explores the dark side of patriotism and war fever, and how far a politician-turned-warrior will go to secure a victory, even if it means sacrificing his own child.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday, April 18, 19 and 21. A matinee performance is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday, April 20.

Tickets for the show — to be held in Page Theatre — are $8, $6 for students and seniors and are available at the Performance Center Box office, 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU theatre students stage drama Feb. 28-March 3

WINONA, Minn. — A rural diner gets a rude awakening when staff and customers are held hostage at the hands of an unstable madman during Saint Mary’s University’s production of “When You Comin’ Back Red Ryder?” The SMU Department of Theatre Arts will stage the disturbing drama Feb. 28-March 3, in the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre.

When Teddy, a Vietnam veteran teetering on the edge of madness, and his young girlfriend barge into a forgotten New Mexico roadside diner, nothing will ever be the same for its five occupants. Teddy uses personal threats and wit to psychologically dismember his hostages. “Red Ryder’s” underlying theme includes a longing for the past – for childhood, for the innocence of the ’50s with its cowboy heroes. Just as the diner’s customers and staff will never be the same, author Mark Howard Medoff is telling his audience that this age of innocence is gone forever.

Performances, under the direction of Dr. Gary Diomandes, are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday, Feb. 28, 29, March 1 and 3. A matinee performance is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday, March. 2.

“Red Ryder” is for mature audiences only; the content includes adult language and violence.
Tickets for the show are $8, $6 for students and seniors and are available at the Performance Center Box office, 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.