The first play of the season was a success! Little Women delighted audiences with a few new faces onstage and a great job done by all.
Following the last performance on Sunday, April 29, the Grand Marais Playhouse awarded Maria Nickolay with the 2012 “Commitment to Excellence in Theater Arts” award and a $250 scholarship.
Maria is well deserving of this award as she has performed in many plays beginning with The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe in 2005. Many will remember her excellent performance as “Blind Pew” in Treasure Island.
Maria has worked as an intern for three summers at the Playhouse, working in all areas backstage including set construction, painting, lighting, stage management and sound. Last summer Maria was responsible for mixing the live sound for Shout! The Mod Musical.
At the end of the run of the Grand Marais Playhouse production of Little Women, the director of the play, Maria Nickolay (right) was called onstage to receive the “Commitment to Excellence in Theater Arts” award. Maria, who has been a Playhouse intern for three summers, also received a $250 scholarship. She will be attending Northwestern University. Maria is shown with Playhouse Director Sue Hennessy.
This spring, Maria became the first student director for the high school/community play. Maria spent many hours prior to auditions studying directing technique and various styles of direction and learned the process of script analysis. In rehearsal, Maria orchestrated the company of actors and crew for three months to create a wonderful production. Those who saw Little Women know she did an outstanding job.
Now, switching hats from playhouse director to ACA facility manager, I’d like to share some important box office updates coming to the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.
First, beginning on June 1, the Arrowhead Center for the Arts box office will be offering e-tickets to all ACA events. ACA patrons will be able to print their tickets at home and proceed directly to seating when they arrive for the event. No waiting in line at the box office!
Second, box office ticketing fees will now be included in the advertised price of the event. No additional fees added at check-out. All tickets will be the same price whether purchased online or at the door (except for events that specifically advertise different “at the door” rates).
And lastly, look for the ACA QR code on event posters and use your smart phone to take you directly to the online box office. Quick! Easy! Secure!
Of course, as always, the box office window will still be open one hour before each event at the ACA for cash, check and credit card sales.
Now, switching hats back to Playhouse director…
Days are getting warmer and rehearsals are gearing up for three fantastic summer productions.
Lethal Lecture by Craig Sodaro is the upcoming dinner theater murder mystery event at the Harbor Light Supper Club. The cast includes Tina Kraus, Gerry Grant, Kevin Kager, Sarah Stover, Stefanie Mitchell and Jack Nickolay. The mystery begins as the archeologist, his assistant and his “intern” come to give a lecture about his recent discovery of the tomb of King Tut’s brother Tut-Mik-Ramen. Also present are his wife and a reporter. Before the first act is over, the professor is dead and the mystery must be solved—with help from the audience.
Performances are June 28 – July 1 and July 5 – 8. Tickets for the three-course dinner and show are $40 and are available by calling the Harbor Light at 387-1142. Seating begins at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are now onsale for a number of summer Playhouse productions and special events—starting with A Century of Jazz with the SkyBLUEtrio and the Orange Girl with special Guest Al Anderson on July 21. Next up will be The Beaux Stratagem by George Farquhar, adapted by Thorton Wilder and Ken Ludwig. This is a restoration comedy in the tradition of Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer and will be performed July 26 – 29 and August 2 – 5. That show will be followed by The Kitchen Witches by Caroline Smith, a hilarious comedy about a cable-access cooking show, performed on August 23 – 26, August 30 and September 2.
Online and at-the-door ticket prices are $17 adults and $7 students, no additional fees added. All performances times are Thursday – Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Performances are at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 51 West 5th Street in Grand Marais.
All tickets except dinner theater are available at www.arrowheadcenterforthearts.tix.com or at the box office one hour before events.
In September, be sure to catch Monroe Crossing with opening act Bump and Barbara Jean. There is reserved seating for this event on September 22 at 7 p.m., so reserve now. Advance tickets $17 adult and $7 student and at-the-doortickets are $20 adults and $10 students.
Mark your calendars. It’s going to be a great summer of theater and special events!
Grand Marais Playhouse Artistic Director Sue Hennessy provides this behind the scenes look at Grand Marais Playhouse activities.
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