The Grand Marais Playhouse has begun its 43rd season with rehearsals for First Baptist of Ivy Gap, a poignant comedy by Ron Osborne. The cast includes Adrianna Berglund, Brenna Hay, Cailin Carpenter, Sarah Larsen, Mara MacDonell, and Michaela Peterson. The play is directed by Sue Hennessy with Cy Fortunato as stage manager and Emma Bradley as costume designer.
The play is described by Samuel French publishers: “During WWII, six women gather at the church to roll bandages and plan the church’s 75th anniversary. Overseeing things is Edith, the pastor’s wise-cracking wife who dispenses Red Cross smocks and witty repartee to Luby, whose son is fighting in the Pacific; Mae Ellen, the church’s rebellious organist who wants to quit but hasn’t the courage; Olene, who dreams of a career in Hollywood; Sammy, a shy newcomer with a secret; and Vera, an influential Baptist with a secret of her own. When Luby learns her son has been wounded, she confounds the others by blaming the vulnerable Sammy.
“Twenty-five years later, our ‘First Baptist Six’ reunite. Back to reconcile with Luby—whose son died of his wounds—is Sammy, whose own son is now in Vietnam; and Olene, whose flashy show business career will set the town on its ear. There to welcome them are Vera, her secret still safe; Mae Ellen, still rebellious and still looking for an escape; and Edith, whose biggest challenge isn’t the church’s upcoming centennial but revelations that shake relationships formed over a quarter of a century. With humor and pathos, these six very different women find comfort, forgiveness and redemption in each other.”
Performance dates for First Baptist of Ivy Gap are April 25, 26 and 28 and May 2-5, Thursday – Saturday 7 p.m. and Sundays 2 p.m.
If you would like to help build the set, paint, work on costumes or help find props, please call the Playhouse officeat387-1284x2orplayhouse@boreal.org. We need lots of help to create 1945 and 1970!
Attention! The Grand Marais Playhouse will be holding auditions for the musical Church Basement Ladies on Sunday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m… The cast includes five women and one man and an organist. Rehearsals will be Sunday evenings through April then alternately Monday – Thursday with Moon Over Buffalo through May and June. This year the Playhouse will rotate the musical with the comedy from July 18 – August 11.
Scripts for upcoming plays are available at the Grand Marais Public Library for short term check-out. A CD of the musical is also available.
Grand Marais Playhouse Artistic Director Sue Hennessy provides this behind-the-scenes look at Grand Marais Playhouse activities.
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