Author: Renee

“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.

Fall Musical “Lucky Stiff”

Rehearsals are in full swing and the show is coming along well. It’s already a lot of fun. So be sure to make plans to see this amazing production in the fall.

Lucky Stiff
Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty

October 19, 20, 21, 2018

Directed by Judy Felsenthal and Lisa Swanson
Produced by Angela Walter

Harry Witherspoon is a rather unsuccessful shoe salesman in London. He receives a telegram that his American uncle has died and left him $6 million, if he can comply with the terms of the will. He must take his “taxidermied” uncle on a swinging vacation to Monte Carlo. If he doesn’t, the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn gets the money. Thus Annabel Glick enters the scene to save the dogs. Meanwhile, Uncle’s girlfriend Rita and her brother, the optometrist, are trying to get their hands on the money! It seems that Rita and Uncle embezzled the money from her husband, and now she needs it back. Mayhem ensues and we should have the audience holding their sides with tears running down their cheeks. There is a surprise ending, of course!

Auditions for “Lucky Stiff”

Lisa and I are planning on holding auditions for Lucky Stiff on June 26th and 27th at City Hall. We plan on starting at 6:30 and would love to have everyone come out. (We might be in the Senior Citizens Room or we might be on the third floor… it’s anyone’s guess.) If you can’t make it, just contact one of us and we’ll be glad to figure something out.
The show is a musical, with many parts big and small, so there’s something for anyone who is interested. If you’re not confident of your singing ability, we’ll put you in the chorus. If you want to strut your amazing stuff, we have those parts, too. Either way, we would so love to have you join us in this endeavor! Please, tell your friends… including those who talk about joining the group, but haven’t had a chance. Some of the parts are great for first-timers!

Production dates are:  October 19, 20, 21.

Here’s the synopsis:
Harry Witherspoon is a rather unsuccessful shoe salesman in London. He receives a telegram that his American uncle has died and left him $6 million if he can comply with the terms of the will.  He must take his “taxidermied” uncle on a swinging vacation to Monte Carlo. If he doesn’t, the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn gets the money. Thus Annabel Glick enters the scene to save the dogs. Meanwhile, Uncle’s girlfriend Rita and her brother, the optometrist, are trying to get their hands on the money! It seems that Rita and Uncle embezzled the money from her husband, and now she needs it back. Mayhem ensues and we should have the audience holding their sides with tears running down their cheeks. There is a surprise ending, of course!

We hope to see you soon.-Judy and Lisa

Fall Musical Announced “Lucky Stiff”

Dear Theater Lovers and Lovers of Theater,
We are going to kick up our heels and have some fun with a musical this fall! Lucky Stiff is the name of our farcical adventure. If you want to get a taste, there are several productions and the music available to peruse on YouTube.

Judy and I are excited to put a cast together and jump in! The show dates are October 19, 20 and 21. We would like to hold auditions at the end of June and get started the first week of August. This will give people plenty of opportunities to go on vacations, miss some rehearsals, and still feel confident in a polished production. Judy and I like to be as efficient as we can be with your time and ours, so we can accommodate most schedules in the rehearsal process – don’t let “being busy” stand in your way of joining this escapade 🙂

So here’s the synopsis:
Harry Witherspoon is a rather unsuccessful shoe salesman in London. He receives a telegram that his American uncle has died and left him $6 million, if he can comply with the terms of the will. He must take his “taxidermied” uncle on a swinging vacation to Monte Carlo. If he doesn’t, the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn gets the money. Thus Annabel Glick enters the scene to save the dogs. Meanwhile, Uncle’s girlfriend Rita and her brother, the optometrist, are trying to get their hands on the money! It seems that Rita and Uncle embezzled the money from her husband, and now she needs it back. Mayhem ensues and we should have the audience holding their sides with tears running down their cheeks. There is a surprise ending, of course!

There are bigger roles and smaller roles – plenty of room for everyone!  Please consider spending a little time with us to bring this farce to life!!

Judy and Lisa