Married Alive - Dakota Stage Ltd. Site Entrance

SEASON 31, ISSUE 5
APRIL 21ST, 2010
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:
VANCE KREBS
PRESIDENT
ANNE JORGENSON GREEN
VICE PRESIDENT
JEFF SEIFERT
TREASURER
THE PROMPTER
NICOLE COOK
SECRETARY
The voice of Dakota Stage and Shade Tree Players
NICOLE COOK
PAST PRESIDENT
Married Alive Offers Wedded Bliss and Blisters
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Ahhh, yes. The final show of
the season is now upon us and
how fitting we conclude with a
musical about marriage. Let
me ask you this. If your marriage was like a musical, what
would it be like? Sound of
Music or Chicago? Well this
show, Married Alive, is somewhere in between; a wonderfully funny and touching show
about the challenges and
rewards of marriage. It starts
out exploring the sweet monkey love aspect when you can’t
get enough of each other to
the reality of being with each
other daily. Add in careers,
hobbies, CHILDREN, money
and now you’re cooking! Before you know it, you are looking back on your lives and the
journeys you’ve had together. The basic conclusion
is that marriage is worth the
journey and yes, it is worth
fighting for.
RUTH WOODRO W
PARRELL GROSSMAN
JOEL BIRD
BRUCE SCHUMACHER
MARY KLECKER-GREEN
TERESA MONICKEN
AMBER HILL
CHAR MANSTROM
KIRSTEN FARNSWORT H
STAFF
MARCIE SIMPSON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
KALLE MEZA
PROGRAM MANAGER
BRIAN BRADY
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
DIRK HUGGETT
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
WHAT TO WATCH
Executive Director
2
Artistic Director
3
DSL Board Spotlight
4
Shade Tree Info
5
bit easier.
Let me say that this show is not a
‘chick’ play. You gentlemen will
get a lot out of it as well. So ladies drag them in kicking and
screaming. They may just thank
you for it later. The show is just
plain fun, that’s all I can say about
it. The music will have you humming when you leave and it will
stick in your head for days. You
won’t forget “Come fly to me” or
“Oh, knocked up” or “Oh, Darlin.” These characters are smart
and the scenes are well written. If
you don’t fall over laughing during
Act II Scene 1, than you have
never been to a dysfunctional
holiday gathering (think lime
green Jell-O with cocktail wieners
and pennies). Want some “frank
‘n cents?”
When I first read this script I
couldn’t stop laughing because some of it was way too
familiar. I’ve had the pleasure of being married to a wonderful woman for 17 years now and yes, not every day is
sunshine and 72 degrees. We have our rainy days and
even severe stormy weather injects its ugly pattern from
time to time. But at the end of the day, I look forward to
the next 17 years because I can’t imagine being with anyone else but her. There is something to be said about
having a lifetime companion that makes this road of life a
Married Alive!
I have the pleasure of working
with a great cast and crew. Joan
Backes is taking care of the piano
once again, Amanda Perry is my
musical director/choreographer
and my assistant director is Jim Quarnstrom. I have two very
talented veterans leading this cast in Michelle and Joey Bohlen and two rookies in Lora Isakson and Eric Morris. We’re
having a lot of fun putting this together and learning a few
things along the way. I hope to see you there and who
knows, you might just see me and a few others up on stage
as back up when it’s time to sing “Oh, knocked up!”
Brian Brady, director
Box Office opens Monday, April 26th!
Box Office Hours are Monday-Friday Noon-1:30p and 5-6pm
Box o ffice opens two hours befo re each per for mance
T HE
P ROMPT ER
P AG E
2
Greetings from the Executive Director
Sometimes I wish I had
a crystal ball. Those
who know me well
may not be surprised
by that statement as I
am the one who always wants to know
stuff. I peek in presents, and I learned the
sex of all three of my
Marcie Simpson
kids because the susExecutive Director pense was just more
than I could possibly
bear. I know what you’re thinking,
“pathetic,” and I really can’t argue that
point. I’ve just learned to accept it.
Along the same lines as a crystal ball would
be the iconic Magic 8 Ball. Remember this
thing? In my youth, it was a wonderfully
popular way to look into the future and
receive answers to such earth shattering
questions as whether the boy in your class
liked you or if your parents would let you
have a sleepover. The problem with the
Magic 8 Ball was the answers were somewhat limited to “Yes,” “No,” and “Maybe.”
My personal favorite answer was, “It is not
known.” Despite the vague answers, I
found it fun to play, and I’ve recently noticed that now a version of Magic 8 Ball can
be downloaded on cell phones.
Deep down, I’m not the only person who
likes to know what’s coming next. In fact,
the Magic 8 Ball has come in handy at the
theatre.
ME: “Hey Magic 8 Ball, will our
final show of the season be a
success?”
M8B: “Yes.”
Sweet! I’ve just learned that Married Alive
will close out our season successfully! That
is such a relief, especially when I think of all
the work, time and talent that have gone
into this production.
ME: “Hey Magic 8 Ball, will we sell
out the show?
M8B: “It is not known.”
Oh, well now I’m not so relieved anymore.
What to do now? Well, I guess we just
can’t leave things like that up to fate, can
we? What I need to do is stress to you –our
faithful patrons –how much our theatre
relies on your support. With your steadfast
support, Dakota Stage will thrive; without
it, Dakota Stage will die. Sounds ominous,
T HE
P ROMPT ER
doesn’t it? I surely don’t want to strike fear into anyone. The simple fact is that without
support from our community, the same community we work tirelessly to enrich, educate
and entertain, our organization may not stand the test of time. At this moment, I’m not
asking people to donate huge sums of money, especially during this trying economic time.
ME: “Hey Magic 8 Ball, will our community continue to support us?”
M8B: “Yes.”
ME: “Oh, great, that’s good to know! Is it really that simple?”
M8B: “No.”
Ugh, I don’t like that answer much. Perhaps this Magic 8 Ball needs to be placed on a shelf
and left to collect some dust. I have more important issues to tend to, such as sharing the
key to community support for Married Alive.
So, what is the key to supporting our final show? Ask yourself the following: Are you married? Were you once married? Do you know anyone who is married? If you answered yes
to any of those questions I can say with certainty that this show is for you! Married Alive is
a show that can relate to each and every audience member in one form or another. Our
beloved artistic director, Brian Brady, is directing Married Alive and has shared with me not
only what a fabulous job the cast is doing, but also how FUNNY the show is. Not just funny,
FUNNY!
Please join us in the close of our 31st season. Get your tickets and make sure to spread the
word to your friends and family about this show. There are nine performances to choose
from, don’t make me dust off the Magic 8 Ball to find out if you’ll attend!
See you at the theatre!
SEASON TICKETS for our 32nd
Season are available now online!
Watch for the season ticket mailing in
May, purchase early for the Early Bird
rates!
Ornament Needed
Check your boxes of Christmas decorations!
Married Alive needs a battery operated
ornament, preferably a Rudolf the reindeer
Christmas tree ornament.
Prices remain the same:
$80/adults
$65/seniors, students, military
www.dakotastageltd.com
If you would like to see your ornament on stage,
please contact Dakota Stage at 258-4998
Greetings from the Artistic Director
Greetings from the Stage:
Well believe it or not, we’ve reached the end of another season here at DSL. As we reflect upon our
season, I’m proud of the accomplishments we’ve had. We put a massive plant and a cast of 8 on our
little stage to start the year. We solved a mystery and saved someone’s Christmas in December. We
Brian Brady
offered
a truly delightful cast with The Cemetery Club and witnessed some powerful performances in
Artistic Director
Crimes of the Heart. Now I get to speak of my show. Our attendance has been down this year for
various reasons and I’m sure that your household budget has told you to be more selective in your discretionary spending. I know that it has affected my household. We think about where we will get the best bang for our buck. I encourage you to make the investment in our last show. As you will read from my director’s notes on Married Alive, this is a
fun and humorous trip down the road of marriage. Just think if your marriage were like a musical, what would it
sound like? This show is a truly positive and upbeat show that will have songs like “Fly to Me” or “Oh, Knocked Up”
or “Lucky One” stuck in your brain for days. I personally invite you to make the investment to share in this adventure
with me.
By the time this last show opens you will have received notice on season tickets for next year. Our Artistic Committee, made up of 13 individuals, has spent the last two months hammering out a list of five shows that we could present
to the Board for approval. Some of you have sent me emails and left notes about what you would like to see in that
season. Let me assure you that we take every suggestion seriously and everything goes into the hat when we begin
discussions. The hard part is to narrow down approximately 50 show ideas in February to 5 by the end of April to
form the basis for our season’s brochure. Many thoughts have to go into the final list which include cast size, stage
size, time of year, costs and royalties to name but a few. I think when you see the line up you’ll be surprised and as
excited as we are. Remember the value and savings of buying a season ticket for next season. It provides an investment to DSL and gives you the savings to help in your budget. Your support of the Arts is greatly appreciated.
Until then, I will see you at the theatre.
Brian Brady
P AG E
3
DSL Board Spotlight
Some may assume that a theatre background is a
necessity to be involved with Dakota Stage or to
serve on its Board of Directors. That couldn’t be
farther from the truth. What is needed is a commitment and passion for our community theatre.
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Leadership BismarckMandan, a council member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, a council representative with Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church Endowment Council,
and a member of the Young Professionals and the
Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce.
Joel Bird brings his financial expertise to the Board
of Directors and has been a
part of the Dakota Stage family
for three years. During the
week he works at Ameriprise
Financial as a financial advisor. Joel finds matching products and services with his clients extremely satisfying. He
says, “I enjoy helping people
achieve their goals through financial planning.”
Joel’s favorite post at Dakota
Stage is volunteering in the box
office. He enjoys being part of
such a fun atmosphere and seeing
and meeting a wide variety of
people. When not selling and
handing out tickets to our patrons, Joel has many other interests that keep him active. He enjoys softball, basketball, running,
hunting and spending quality
time with his family.
Joel, who is originally from
Joel & Jennifer Bird
Flaxton -editorial note, I have
Thankfully Joel crossed the path of Dakota Stage
to consult a map on that one- and his family has
lived in Bismarck for 10 years and he is surrounded and saw the value in what our community theatre
has to offer. According to Joel, “Dakota Stage
by women! He and his wife, Jennifer, have three
beautiful daughters; Skylar, Gabriella and Lylianah. gives people another way to get involved; it’s a
great thing for the community and a wonderful enSeems he would be too busy to take such an active
part in this community, but Joel gives of his time in tertainment option.”
other avenues as well. Joel is a board member with
Dakota Stage
THE PROMPTER
o n ly av a ila b le e le ct ro n ica l l y
FOLLOW US!
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Call 258-4998
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Going Green & Saving Green!
It’s HABIT forming and will be making a come back in June!
2 - n i g h t s o n ly !
NUNSENSE
P AG E
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Don’t
miss this enlightening fundraiser! Call 258-4998 for details!
Since 1970
Auditions:
Auditions for our 10 summer productions take place
Saturday, April 24th, from 9am to 5:30pm and Sunday,
April 25th, from noon to 4:30pm. There is still time to sign
up! Call 701-214-1061 to reserve your audition time!
Auditions are 15 minutes long. This year all head-shots will
be taken at auditions. Come prepared to smile! Please
arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
P AG E
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Kalle Meza
Program Manager
Check out our
REDESIGNED website!
www.shadetreeplayers.com
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Phone: 701-258-4998
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Married Alive!
May 6-9 & 12-16
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