Author: Renee

Setting aside fall play

Dear LCP family,

It is with great disappointment that I share with you that we had to cease production on our fall show. We had a full cast, and then our actor for the part of Lenny, let me know that he had too many scheduling conflicts to do the show. We searched for over a week to find a replacement. Many of you offered help. Thank you. Unfortunately, we were not able to fill the role.

The good part about the two weeks we dedicated to rehearsals is this: we have new actors for our group! Michael Harding, Patrick Ralph, Matthew Harper, and Julianne Washa (Andrea’s daughter) have joined our LCP family. If you see them or have contact with them, welcome them. Other actors were Cheryl Schmieder, Andrea Washa, Shawn Steinhoff, and Bob McKelvey. The two weeks that we rehearsed showed much promise. Lines were already being memorized. The fine blocking was in place. A set was designed and ready to be built. Thanks, Stuart. Some costume pieces were ordered. Renee had the poster draft ready before we even began rehearsals. Ann was ready to produce. Angela and Kristin were ready for the tickets and house management. The stage crew (Tom, Michael S., Lisa Z.) was almost all in place (one more needed back stage). Michael Walter gave great support with every aspect of this show! I can’t say enough good about this group!

I know our audience was excited about a fall show. So were Michael and I and the cast. We’ll keep this show in the hopper but make sure we have a commitment to fill the role of Lenny before we move forward.

Thank you to everyone who supported us in any way.

In theatre,
Eileen

Auditions for our fall show

Red Curtain Spotlight Stage Background

LCP will be holding auditions for our fall show, “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel”

Production dates for “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” by Mitch Albom, will be Friday through Sunday, Oct. 20, 21, and 22 at the Grantland Theatre in Lancaster, Wis.

Audition Times and Locations

  • Monday, August 14 from 6:30 – 8:30 at the Senior Center in City Hall
  • Wednesday, August 16 from 6:30 – 8:30 at the Senior Center in City Hall

There are parts for nine actors: two women (age young adult and 20s-30s); six men (all age 30s-60s); and one role that can be either male or female (age 30s-60s). One of the male roles is written for a black man in the age range of 30s to 50s. All those interested in community theatre are invited to audition. Scripts are available for review at Schreiner Memorial Library. Lancaster Community Theatre also welcomes those who want to work behind the scenes. Rehearsals will be held Saturday mornings and Monday and Thursday evenings.

Contact Eileen Dushek-Manthe with questions at 608-345-5626 or if you are interested and cannot attend the scheduled audition times.

Director Eileen Dushek-Manthe chose this play because of its excellent script. “I’ve been wanting to find a show of this style for years. I’m excited to bring this to the Grantland stage,” she said. “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” is the uproarious story of two bumbling Alabama brothers who have never shot a duck but think they shot an angel. As they lament their fates in a murky swamp, they are chased by a cynical tabloid journalist and his reluctant photographer, who don’t believe any of it—until feathers, wings and a tiara are discovered along the way. The play hysterically interweaves a love story, sibling rivalry, tawdry media, race relations and cultural stereotypes as the chase to find the angel builds to a crescendo in the swamp. Ultimately a sweet allegory about redemption, “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” has been hailed by audiences as a rare comedy with a surprisingly heartfelt lesson.

A very successful return to the stage

The cast and crew of Murdered to Death would like to thank everyone who came to the show! We are very appreciative of the community’s support of local theater! Thank you to our loyal following and new audience members alike. You are a big part of what makes Southwest Wisconsin such a great place to live! We can’t wait to see you again in the fall.

Lancaster Players return to stage with “Murdered to Death”

LANCASTER, WIS–The plot will thicken as Lancaster Community Players (LCP) returns to the Grantland Theatre stage March 24-26 with “Murdered to Death” by Peter Gordon. The cast will bring to life characters reminiscent of an Agatha Christie whodunit, only with all the side-splitting comedy of an Inspector Clouseau spoof. Prepare to be transported to a 1930s English country manor.

Director Ann Savides Dolan has assembled a talented group of nine LCP veterans and one newcomer, Andrea Washa of Highland. Washa plays Joan Maple, the neighborhood snoop who pops in just in time to witness–well, sort of–a murder! The audience will see the bumbles of Inspector Pratt played by Bill Haskins and assisted by Max Nalepinski as Constable Thompkins. Hosting the weekend getaway is Mildred Bagshot (Kim Martens); her niece, Dorothy (Amy Alcott), and sole heir; and Bunting the butler (Bill Mahaney). Visiting for the weekend are Colonel Charles Craddock (Shawn Steinhoff) and wife Margaret (Sally Harper), along with art dealer Pierre Marceau (Michael Steffel) and companion Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington (Lisa Nicolai).

The group is anxious and excited to be back in production after their two-and-a-half year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Savides Dolan said, “I’m tickled to death to bring live theater back to Lancaster! When I asked about people’s interest in doing a show, I had an overwhelmingly positive response. This is a very talented cast, and the show is pure, unadulterated comedy.”

Tickets are available by contacting Angela Walter at 608-778-7726. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 26. Reserved seating is $12 and balcony seating is $10. The show is presented by special arrangement with Dramatist Play Services, Inc.

Auditions for spring 2023 show, “Murdered to Death”

The Lancaster Community Players are back after a long hiatus!

We are planning a Spring Production of the play “Murdered to Death” by Peter Gordon. This is a light hearted fast paced murder mystery in the style of Agatha Christie. There are parts for 10 actors; approximately 5 women and 5 men. Production dates are tentatively set for March 24, 25, and 26.

Audition Times and Locations

  • Monday, January 16th from 6:30 – 8:30 at the Senior Center in City Hall in Lancaster
  • Tuesday, January 17th from 6:30 – 8:30 in the Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of City Hall

If you are interested but unable to attend auditions please contact Ann Dolan / Director at 608-988-6772 to make other arrangements.

Another great show in the books

The cast and crew of Rehearsal for Murder would like to everyone who came to the show! We are very glad the community supports local theater, and without our loyal following, we truly could not have sustained our presence among you for 41 years! You are a big part of what makes Southwest Wisconsin such a great place to live! We can’t wait to see you again in the spring of 2020.

“Rehearsal for Murder” play practice is under way

The Lancaster Community Player’s fall performance of Rehearsal for Murder adapted by D.D. Brooke has been cast and is in rehearsal! Director Ann Dolan and Producer Mike Walter are excited to have such talented actors in our cast! This marvelous murder mystery is a play within a play and the actors represent various people involved in the theatre business on Broadway. Sally Harper plays the flamboyant producer, Amy Alcott is the lovely understudy, Stu Harper is the arrogant leading man, Bill Haskins is the comedic actor, Kevin Koester is the director, Mike Steffel plays the playwright, Lisa Nicolai is the lovely leading lady, and Apryl Bennett plays the secretary and assistant to the playwright. We round out the cast with Kim Marten, Lisa Zabel, Carson Smith and Bo Hansen playing various mysterious roles!

Rehearsal for Murder is a thrilling “theatrical” mystery in which the theatre becomes the set for the play. The playwright turns on the stage lights and prepares for the first reading of his new play. The actors, producer, director and others connected with the show come onto the stage, and under their humorous theatrical talk, tensions grow. We discover that everyone connected with this play was involved with another play by the same playwright. Exactly one year ago and in the same theatre, the beautiful leading lady, who was also the playwright’s fiancee, died!  Suicide or Murder? That’s what we’ll discover when we follow all of the twists and turns of this show!

Performances of Rehearsal for Murder will be on October 25, 26, and 27 at the Grantland Theatre in Lancaster.