SMU launches Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre

Danny Pancratz, as Bellhop, Ashley Dillard, as Maggie, JoLeen Davis, as Julia and Chris Kernan, as Saunders, rehearse a scene from “Lend Me a Tenor”




Chris Kernan, as Saunders, and Andy Greene, as Max, rehearse a scene from “Lend Me a Tenor”





WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University’s Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre will have audiences laughing and dancing in their seats during this summer’s light and lively presentations of “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Showtune: Celebrating the Words & Music of Jerry Herman.” The shows run in repertory four times a week from July 5 to Aug. 5 in Page Theatre.

“Lend Me a Tenor,” a farce by Ken Ludwig, tells the story of a world famous opera singer who is poised to perform his greatest role at a gala season opener. A series of mishaps, including the accidental tranquilizing of the guest star, lead to hilarious consequences as the cast and crew try to save the show.

“Showtune…,” a musical revue, showcases the range of composer/lyricist’s Jerry Herman’s work, which includes “Hello Dolly” and “Mame.” Herman’s repertoire spans the Golden Age of Broadway musicals and focuses on the comic and romantic aspects of life and relationships.

“ ‘Lend Me a Tenor’ and ‘Showtune’ are great pieces to work on for the summer,” said artistic director Judy Myers. “They are definitely audience pleasers. ‘Lend Me a Tenor’, due to the energy it takes to perform a farce, demands total commitment from the actors. Rehearsing the comic timing is crucial in this type of show. It requires a lot of physical and vocal skill from the performers. But they thrive on it. They love it and are exhausted by it at the same time.

“You’d think they’d be worn out after four hours of strenuous rehearsal for Tenor, but then they turn around and rehearsal for four more hours on ‘Showtune,’ exhausting them even more with the singing and dancing required for that show. This is where their training really shows. Getting through a demanding eight hour day really tests their ability to go the distance.”

The talented cast and crew hail from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“Most of our actors, directors, and designers come from diverse university training programs including Ithaca College in New York, Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio, Southeast Missouri State University, Viterbo University in Wisconsin, Southwestern Illinois College, Indiana State University, Bradley University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Minnesota, and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota,” Myers said.

Make it dinner and a show for a full evening of enjoyment; pre-show dinners are offered every Friday and Saturday. Choose from several delicious entrees, including beef, chicken or vegetarian options (along with children’s dinners). Additionally, concessions are offered before every performance and at intermission. Beer and wine concessions are also available every Friday and Saturday.

Dinner reservations and show tickets are available at the Performance Center box office, (507) 457-1715, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and online at www.pagetheatre.org. The regular ticket price for either show is $15, $12 for senior citizens. Preview nights will be held Thursday, July 5, for “Lend Me a Tenor” and Thursday, July 12, for “Showtune” and all tickets will be $12.

Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre Co., Performance Schedule includes:

“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 5, Preview Night Discount
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 6
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 7
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 3 p.m., Sunday, July 8
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 12, Preview Night Discount
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 13
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 14
“Showtune,” 3 p.m., Sunday, July 15
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 19
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 20
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 21
“Showtune,” 3 p.m., Sunday, July 22
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 26
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 27
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 28
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 3 p.m., Sunday, July 29
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 2
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 3
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4
“Showtune,” 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 5

SMU offers jazz combo, music production workshops for youth

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is offering two hands-on summer music programs for students entering grades 10-12, Summer Music Production Workshop, and Summer Jazz Combo and Improv Workshop.

The Summer Music Production Workshop will introduce area high school students to the exciting world of digital audio recording and music production. Students will utilize the audio workstations on campus to record their own projects on computers and will have access to professional audio software programs like Digital Performer and Pro Tools.

The workshop will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 and 28 in Saint Yon’s Hall, located on the Winona campus. Classes run from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and from 2:30 to 3 p.m., students will receive help with their projects. The cost of $150 per student includes a T-shirt, and space is limited to 10 students. The students' projects will be featured as a part of the Summer Jazz Combo Workshop Concert at 7 p.m. on June 28 in the Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center.

During the Summer Jazz Combo and Improv Workshop, area high school students will develop their skills at performing jazz in a small combo setting. All students must have at lease one year of experience playing in a high school jazz group. Students will be placed in groups based on their age, background and experience playing jazz. The workshop will close with a concert for family and friends at 7 p.m. on June 28 in Figliulo Recital Hall.

The workshop will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 14, 19, 21, 26 and 28, in Figliulo Recital Hall. Participants meet from 3 to 5:30 p.m. (with set-up and tuning from 3:30 to 4 p.m. and rehearsal from 4 to 5:30 p.m.) The cost is $125 per student with a $75 bass player rate. All participants will receive a a T-shirt.

These courses will be instructed by Dr. John Paulson, professor of music at Saint Mary's University, along with other SMU Music Department faculty members.

Sign up for both programs and save $25! Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/sportscamps. For more information, e-mail smusportscamps@smumn.edu, or call (507) 457-6973 or 800-635-5987, Ext. 6973.