Jessica Foster
Staff WriterMasquers Theatre Company is working behind the scenes to bring the Forest Lake Community two popular musicals this summer theatre season.
Work already has begun for the first show to hit the stage. ìAnything Goes,î opens June 17 and runs through July 3.
The second and final production of the season, ìSouth Pacific,î opens July 15 and runs through July 31.
ìAnything Goes,î with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, is a musical that takes place in the 1930s and features six main characters among a cast of 30. In addition, a jazz ensemble will be on stage amid the actors and will add to the production.
Deborah Wiersma, president of Masquers Board of Directors, is producing both summer shows.
ìThereís a lot of slap stick, a lot of tap dancing, a lot of jokes, a lot of innuendos,î she said. ìWe felt we needed another tap musical. Itís nostalgic and itís got a really great repertoire of songs from the jazz era to the big band era.
Even if folks havenít heard of ìAnything Goes,î theyíll remember the songs once the music starts up, Wiersma said.
Rodgers and Hammesteinsís ìSouth Pacific,î with its memorable songs and great story will draw large crowds, Wiersma predicts.
ìEverybodyís very familiar with ëSouth Pacific.í Theyíre excited about us (Masquers) doing that show,î she said.
ìItís exciting to introduce a new musical to the community,î Wiersma added.
ìSouth Pacificî will feature a cast of more than 30 actors from 7-years-old to adult. Rehearsals are slated to begin the first week in June. Auditions are scheduled for May 17-19 at Forest Lake Elementary School.
Lon Church of St. Paul will be directing ìAnything Goes.î A director has not been finalized for ìSouth Pacific.î Deane Tasler, who worked with Wiersma in last yearís Bloomington production of ìHello Dolly!î with Sally Struthers will be choreographer for both productions. Marti Steek of Stacy also will be pulling double duty as she will be costumer for ìAnything Goesî and ìSouth Pacific.î
Childrenís workshop
An annual event with Masquers, the childrenís workshop is scheduled for July 12-23. A collaboration between Masquers Theater Company and Community Eduction Youth Development, the theater camp is meant to be a taste of acting, voice, movement, emotions, dancing, improv, auditioning, audience appreciation and other facets of theater.
The workshop will be directed by Cory Regnier, a familiar name on the Forest Lake arts scene.
Last year, there were 46 youth participating. This year, organizers are planning for more than 60 participants.
Beginner camp will be offered 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and intermediate camp, for youth with some performing arts experience, will be offered 12:30-2:30 p.m. weekdays July 12-21.
An audience appreciation field trip to the Old Log Theatreís production of Tom Sawyer is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 17. Combined camp for beginners and intermediates is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 22.
The workshop culminates with public performances scheduled for 9 a.m.-noon Friday, July 23.
The workshop is for children 6-18-years-old. Parents must register their children for the workshop through Forest Lake Community Education. The cost is $59 per participant.
To register, contact Forest Lake Community Education at 651-982-8110.
Volunteer
Masquers Theatre Company always can use some good volunteer help. Wiersma said help especially is needed behind the scenes building sets, taking tickets, ushering attendees and serving on the board.
ìWeíre always looking for more people to help out and the commitment is minimal,î Wiersma said.
Individuals interested in helping Masquers are encouraged to call Deborah Wiersma at 651-433-4629.
Ticket information
Season tickets, for both shows this summer season, are available for $18 each. Seniors 60-years-old and older, can purchase season tickets for just $16. Season tickets for children 12-years-old and younger are $10 each.
General tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for children per show.
Community Education is offering a discount for Saturday matinees. Individuals who mention Community Education when purchasing tickets for Saturday matinees can buy one ticket and get the second of equal or lesser value for free.
Tickets are available at the door before each show or at The Yellow Bus in the Lakes Shoppes. The Yellow Bus can be reached by calling 651-464-2112.
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