Cook County News Herald

Playhouse supports—and is supported by—the community




Did you know that the Grand Marais Playhouse spends most of its production budget at local businesses? Did you know that the Grand Marais Playhouse attracts visitors to Grand Marais specifically to see its productions? Did you know most first-time audience members rank Playhouse productions as “excellent!” Did you know that including theater arts in students’ lives teaches many skills required for any future endeavor? Did you know that participation in community plays builds positive community relationships and provides excellent positive mentoring possibilities? It is true community building!

The Playhouse is so much more than putting on plays but the “Play is the thing!” and plays are expensive to produce. Each play requires Arrowhead Center for the Arts rental fees, royalties, scripts, production supplies, costume supplies, office supplies, advertising, programs and the Playhouse has only one staff member. Ideally, the Playhouse would add artistic and design staff to each production.

Please remember the Playhouse on “Give to the Max Day” on November 14. We appreciate and desperately need your support. Did you know that sending a check directly to the Playhouse saves the 4.5 percent processing fee most on-line services charge for collecting donations? Our address is P.O. Box 996, Grand Marais, MN 55604. Of course donations can still be made online at our website, grandmaraisplayhouse.com, razoo.com and givemn.com.

Please help the Playhouse keep theater live in Grand Marais, in our schools and in partnering with the school district in maintaining the ACA and its theatrical equipment as the safest, largest, state-ofthe art performance facility in Cook County!

The Playhouse is in full rehearsal mode for “We Happy Few” by Imogen Stubbs. The cast includes: Melanie Stoddard, Brenna Hay, Louise Reavis, Kathy Ann Travis, Beth Faraone, Brandon Bockovich, Lollie Cooper, Finn Garry, Erica Marxen, Aliya Marxen, Kevin Kager, Jan Healy, Lucy Callender, Linnea Henrikson, Wellesley Howard-Larsen and Santina McMillan. The play is directed by Sue Hennessy.

The play is still in need of a stage manager to assist with rehearsals, folks interested in helping out with costumes, hair and make-up, lighting and backstage help. Ushers will also be needed for performances December 4-7 and 11-14.

The first Friday, Dec. 5 is “Food Shelf Friday,” bring $10 or five items for the food shelf and get one ticket free with the purchase of another. The Sunday Dec. 7, 2p.m. performance is “Donation Day,” pay any amount for your ticket. Regular tickets are $10 adults and $5 students.

Grand Marais Playhouse Artistic Director Sue Hennessy provides this behind-the-scenes look at Grand Marais Playhouse activities.



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