“The Curious Savage” takes the stage April 11-13

“The Curious Savage” by John Patrick, takes the stage April 11-13

Reserved seats downstairs are $12 and general seats in the balcony are $10. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets, contact Angela Walter at 608-778-7726.

Set in the 1950’s, Ethel Savage has always been a dreamer, wanting to explore life. When her husband dies, entrusting her with his vast fortune, she plans on making others’ dreams come true with a fund. However, her stepchildren have other ideas for that money, and commit her to a home to try and wrestle control away from her. At the home, Ethel befriends the other residents, a colorful crew of kind, generous and misfit souls. They quickly become connected, and the group demonstrates their loyalty as Mrs. Savage leads her stepchildren through clever escapades that expose their greed.

The cast for this show is a mix of veteran LCP actors, and newcomers. Michael Harding, Summer Cohen, Sarah Imhoff, and Joanne Pereira join LCP for their first performance at the Grantland.

Sarah Imhoff is from Fennimore, and took on her role as a challenge to try something “outside my comfort zone.” Joanne Pereira is currently a student at Lancaster High School, where she fell in love with being part of a production and performing on stage. Michael Harding was drawn to this first role because he gets to play a character that is the near opposite of himself. “Titus is a confrontational, angry person… I am not,” Harding opined. Summer Cohen, a graduate of Potosi High School, had been in prominent roles throughout middle and high school while a student.

This group joins longtime LCP members Mike Steffel, Ann Savides Dolan, Lisa Nicolai, Sally Harper, Andrea Washa, Joel Ingebritsen, and Bill Haskins.

Ann Savides Dolan is a founding member of LCP, and has countless credits on stage, as well as off, having directed numerous plays, her last two directorial productions being “Rehearsal for Murder” and “Murdered to Death” back to back (the latter being a comedy, and the former not). Bill Haskins has been part of some of the biggest draws the theatre troupe has ever put on, having directed “The Producers”, “Mamma Mia!”, and “A Chorus Line”. Mike Steffel has been a mainstay in the cast of nearly every recent play, having been the lead in comedies like “Lucky Stiff”, and when not on stage heads the lighting crew. Dr. Sally Harper has been a part of every production since her debut in “Mamma Mia!”, with “The Curious Savage” being her fifth straight outing. Sally’s husband, Lancaster Mayor Stuart Harper, is also a mainstay having been the head of set construction for many of the performances. Joel Ingebritsen is returning with his acting talent, having made his LCP debut in “Soup de Jour” in 2012, and really shining as Sam Carmichael in the hit “Mamma Mia!”. Lisa Nicolai has been a vital part of LCP for over 25 years, first introduced through her father, LCP musical accompanist the late Don Pagni. Lisa’s husband, Dr. Tom Nicolai, has been LCP’s go-to sound guy, performing his audio production magic for over 20 years. Andrea Washa returns to the lead after being the irrepressible Miss Maple in the comedy caper “Murdered to Death”.

Directing this performance is Eileen Dushek-Manthe, who is no stranger to being onstage or off it, having been a performer in numerous LCP productions, as well as directing several plays, including “Buying the Moose”, in addition to helping produce several plays, creating the write-ups for playbills and publicity materials.

Auditions for spring 2025 play

Red Curtain Spotlight Stage Background

LCP will be holding auditions for our spring show, ‘The Curious Savage’

Production dates for ‘The Curious Savage’ by John Patrick, will be Friday through Sunday, April 11-13, 2025, at the Grantland Theatre in Lancaster, Wis. Rehearsals will be held Saturday mornings and Monday and Thursday evenings.

Audition Times and Locations

  • Thursday, January 30 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Senior Center of Lancaster City Hall.
  • Monday, February 3 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Senior Center of Lancaster City Hall.

Director Eileen Dushek-Manthe said the theme is based on Mrs. Savage, who has always been curious in life. She just didn’t get a chance to experience everything she wanted to do. Her deceased husband left her 10 million dollars, and Mrs. Savage decided it was time to make her own and others’ dreams come true–until her three adult stepchildren decided otherwise. She has foiled them though–she had the money put in negotiable securities. Hence, they have their stepmother committed to a care facility so she cannot continue freely spending her money (their inheritance). As we meet the other five residents of the care facility, Mrs. Savage sees what each offers to herself and others. They quickly become connected, and the group demonstrates their loyalty as Mrs. Savage leads her stepchildren through clever escapades that expose their greed. A doctor and staff person round out the cast of 11, which includes roles for six women and five men. The playwright asks that the residents of the care facility be played with warmth and dignity, not creating a caricature. Dushek-Manthe said, “That is some of what drew me to this show.”

All those interested in community theatre are invited to audition. Scripts are available for review at Schreiner Memorial Library, Lancaster. LCP also welcomes those who want to work behind the scenes. Contact Dushek-Manthe with questions at 608-345-5626 or if you are interested and cannot attend the scheduled audition times.