Author: Renee

“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.  

“Mamma Mia!” playing April 25 – 28

As Lancaster Community Players (LCP) continues to celebrate 40 years of live, local theater, we proudly present the Broadway smash Mamma Mia! on the Grantland Theatre stage April 25-28, our largest production in 10 years!

This musical is based on more than 20 top hits by 1970s pop phenomenon ABBA and the well-known movie version and sequel that followed. On the Greek island of Kalokairi, 20-year-old Sophie is preparing to marry her fiancé, Sky. She wants her father to walk her down the aisle but doesn’t know who he is. Sophie discovers her mother’s old diary and finds entries describing intimate dates with three men. Sophie believes one of these men is her father and, three months before her nuptials, sends each an invitation to her wedding, writing in her mother’s name, Donna, without her mother’s knowledge.  

Directors Bill Haskins and Doug Mackie have assembled some of the finest talent from the area. Playing Sophie will be Lancaster native Lizzy Wagner in her first show with LCP. The three unknowing dads include established LCP actors Joel Ingebritsen as Sam, Shawn Steinhoff as Bill, and Kurt Meyer as Harry. Donna, LCP newcomer Amelia Armstrong, will be supported by the talents of Margaret Ruf as Tanya and Marcy Russell as Rosie, also LCP veterans. In his first stint on the Grantland stage is Savion Kirk as fiance Sky. Rounding out the wedding party are returning performers Brandi Dreher as Ali and Liz Peters as Lisa, joined by Brady Hattori as Eddie and Steve Olenchek as Pepper in their initial appearance with LCP. Bill Mahaney returns to the Grantland stage in the role of the priest.

Haskins and Mackie have a history of bringing new talent to the stage. This show is no different from their LCP productions of Godspell, Ruthless and The Producers. The Mamma Mia! cast of 26 includes 15 new actors! Returning actors include Lisa Swanson, Kim Martens, and Gretta McKelvey as ensemble members. Ensemble members in their first LCP show are Deborah Lyons, Michael Black, Keri Wetter, and Amy Alcott, as well as Sally Harper, Emily Dhyanchand, Sydney Busch, Ian McCann, and mother and daughter Bev and Mariah Doll.   

Mamma Mia! has a wealth of talent off stage as well. Mackie is the lead choreographer, with Dreher designing two numbers. We are proud to welcome back Larry Busch as musical director, along with a seven-piece band. Todd Johnson’s scenic set design and Cheryl Schmeider’s costuming will transport the audience to an exotic island paradise. And, we’ll be showcasing our new lighting system.

Help us celebrate 40 years of live theatre in Lancaster! Contact Angela Walter for tickets at  608-778-7726. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 25, 26 and 27, and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28. Reserved seating is $15 and balcony seating is $12. Please allow extra time before the show to find parking as downtown Lancaster streets are under construction.

Mamma Mia! is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International and is sponsored by Doolittle’s Pub and Catering, Lancaster Vet Clinic, American Bank, and Lancaster Chiropractic & Bloomington Wellness Center along with Inner Harmony Therapeutic Arts and Bodywork.

Another look at LCP’s “Mamma Mia!” (VIDEO)

Here is another taste of Lancaster Community Players’ upcoming production of Mamma Mia! Make plans to attend!

Showing at the Grantland Theatre in Lancaster, WI
Thursday April 25th at 7:30pm
Friday April 26th at 7:30pm
Saturday April 27th at 7:30pm
Sunday April 28th at 4:30pm

Tickets are $15 for reserved and $12 for balcony.
Call 608-778-7726 today to get yours.

“Mamma Mia!” rehearsals continue (VIDEO)

Here is another taste of Lancaster Community Players’ upcoming production of Mamma Mia! Make plans to attend!

Showing at the Grantland Theatre in Lancaster, WI
Thursday April 25th at 7:30pm
Friday April 26th at 7:30pm
Saturday April 27th at 7:30pm
Sunday April 28th at 4:30pm

Tickets are $15 for reserved and $12 for balcony.
Call 608-778-7726 today to get yours.

Video by Eileen Dushek-Manthe

“Mamma Mia!” rehearsals are under way (VIDEO)

Rehearsals are well under way for Lancaster Community Players spring production of Mamma Mia!. Show dates are April 25 through the 28. We hope to see you then.

Directed by Bill Haskins and Doug Mackie. Choreographed by Doug Mackie, with additional choreography for “Lay All Your Love on Me” by Brandi Dreher. Music direction by Larry Busch. Vocal direction by Lisa Swanson.

The amazing cast includes: Amelia Armstrong as Donna Sheridan, Joel Ingebritsen as Sam Carmichael, Lizzy Wagner as Sophie Sheridan, Savion Kirk as Sky, Marcy Russell as Rosie, Margaret Ruf as Tanya, Shawn Steinhoff as Bill Austin, Kurt Meyer as Harry Bright, Liz Peters as Lisa, Brandi Dreher as Ali, Steve Olenchek as Pepper, Brady Hattori as Eddie and Bill Mahaney as Father Mahaney. And the talented ensemble: Amy Alcott, Michael Black, Sydney Busch, Emily Dhyanchand, Bev Doll, Mariah Doll, Sally Harper, Deborah Lyons, Kim Martens, Ian McCann, Gretta McKelvey, Lisa Swanson, Kari Wetter.

Video by Eileen Dushek-Manthe

LCP holds auditions for “Mamma Mia!”

Lancaster Community Players is putting out the casting call for one of its biggest efforts in its four decades of community theatre, as the troupe plans to perform Mamma Mia! this spring. Audition dates are Jan. 15-17 in the council chambers of Lancaster City Hall, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. each night. Actors should bring a favorite monologue (1 to 2 minutes) and musical number (1-2 minutes, LCP will provide piano accompaniment). Readings and musical selections also available at audition. The parts that need to be cast: three women, age 35-45; three men, age 40-50; three men, 20s, and three women, 20s. There is also the ensemble of a dozen people, ages ranging 20-60. If you cannot audition on the above dates, please contact the director for an alternative date/time (lisabill@chorus.net or 723-6655). Production dates are April 25-28.

This jukebox musical, is based on more than 20 top hits by 1970s pop phenomenon ABBA, with a well-known movie version and sequel which followed. The premise: On the Greek island of Kalokairi, 20-year-old Sophie is preparing to marry her fiancee, Sky. She wants her father to walk her down the aisle but doesn’t know who he is. Sophie discovers her mother’s old diary and finds entries which describe intimate dates with three men. Sophie believes one of these men is her father and, three months before her nuptials, sends each an invitation to her wedding, writing in her mother’s name, Donna, without her mother’s knowledge.

Mamma Mia! will be directed by Bill Haskins and Doug Mackie (The Producers, Godspell), along with musical direction by Larry Busch, costuming by Cheryl Schmeider, sound design by Tom Nicolai, set design by Todd Johnson, and choreographed by Doug Mackie.

“Lucky Stiff” Opens tonight

As Lancaster Community Players celebrates its 40th year performing in Lancaster, a cast of 13 local actors will take the stage in LCP’s production of “Lucky Stiff”.  This funny musical tells the story of Harry Witherspoon, a down-on-his-luck shoe salesman whose uncle has just died.  If Harry takes his uncle’s body to Monte Carlo for a wild vacation, he will inherit six million dollars. There’s a hitch, of course; if he fails in his mission, the money will go to Annabel and the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn.

Performances are planned for 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 19, and Saturday, October 20, as well as at 2:00 on Sunday, October 21.  All performances are at the historic Grantland Theater.

Michael Steffel takes the role of Harry and Renee Heimdal plays Annabel. Complications ensue as Rita (Gretta McKelvey) and Vinnie (Bob McKelvey) come looking for the six million dollars in diamonds they believe are with Harry. Joining the cast, and new to LCP, are Gregg Davis and Carrie Ingebritsen. The cast also includes Eileen Dushek-Manthe, Brad Van Epps, John Harrison, Kim Martens, Ann Dolan, Kevin Koester and Bill Haskins.  “Lucky Stiff” is directed by the team of Judy Felsenthal and Lisa Swanson.

Tickets are $10 for the main floor and $9 for the balcony and can be purchased in advance or at the door. For information or to purchase advance tickets, contact Angela Walter at 778-7726.

“Lucky Stiff” October 19, 20 and 21

As Lancaster Community Players celebrates its 40th year performing in Lancaster, a cast of 13 local actors will take the stage in LCP’s production of “Lucky Stiff”.  This funny musical tells the story of Harry Witherspoon, a down-on-his-luck shoe salesman whose uncle has just died.  If Harry takes his uncle’s body to Monte Carlo for a wild vacation, he will inherit six million dollars. There’s a hitch, of course; if he fails in his mission, the money will go to Annabel and the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn. 

Performances are planned for 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 19, and Saturday, October 20, as well as at 2:00 on Sunday, October 21.  All performances are at the historic Grantland Theater.

Michael Steffel takes the role of Harry and Renee Heimdal plays Annabel. Complications ensue as Rita (Gretta McKelvey) and Vinnie (Bob McKelvey) come looking for the six million dollars in diamonds they believe are with Harry. Joining the cast, and new to LCP, are Gregg Davis and Carrie Ingebritsen. The cast also includes Eileen Dushek-Manthe, Brad Van Epps, John Harrison, Kim Martens, Ann Dolan, Kevin Koester and Bill Haskins.  “Lucky Stiff” is directed by the team of Judy Felsenthal and Lisa Swanson.

Tickets are $10 for the main floor and $9 for the balcony and can be purchased in advance or at the door. For information or to purchase advance tickets, contact Angela Walter at 778-7726.