July 23 | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Little Falls High School
1001 5th Ave SE, Little Falls, MN 56345 United States
Contact:
Phone
(320)632-5342
Email:
lfsummermusical@gmail.com

Additional Information

Summer Musical Theatre Returns to Little Falls
Aug. 8-10 Show Brings Music, Comedy, and Drama to Charles D. Martin Stage

When the curtain opens on August 8 at the Charles D. Martin Auditorium, it will herald the first community summer musical production in Little Falls in more than a decade.

For its inaugural show, the company secured license rights from Music Theatre International to produce the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Performances are scheduled for August 8, 9, and 10 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 p.m., plus a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee) at the Charles D. Martin Auditorium at Little Falls Community High School. Advance tickets may be purchased at Tony’s 1st Avenue Custom Framing in Little Falls or online at Brown Paper Tickets (event 4268859).
Burr selected Spelling Bee for LF Summer Musical’s first production because “The show is absolutely incredible,” he said. “Not only is the music outstanding, but the script is hilarious and poignant. Best of all, it’s filled with characters that are not just colorful and likeable, but also relatable to the audience members.”
Spelling Bee relates the stories of six young misfits who compete for the title of county spelling champion. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, contestants spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming ding of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves – but at least the losers get a juice box!
Parents are advised that the Spelling Bee show is considered PG-13 due to some adult themes and language, but people from all walks of life will find something to enjoy in it, Burr said.
The show will feature a live orchestra with outstanding local musicians, under the direction of Cary Armagost. The cast of eleven includes several actors who are returning to the Charles D. Martin stage from previous performances. Others join the cast from the nearby communities of Pierz and Royalton:
● Christian Alexander Thoms-Warzecha, “William Barfée”
● Ryan Stangl, “Charlito ‘Chip’ Tolentino”
● Corinna Brose, “Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre”
● Nate Moga, “Leaf Coneybear”
● Emma Ahlin, “Marcy Park”
● Jesse Kretsinger, “Mitch Mahoney”
● Kylie Pohlman, “Olive Ostrovsky”
● Madeline Wright, “Rona Lisa Peretti”
● Jacob Korver, “Vice Principal Douglas Panch”
● Madelyn VanRisseghem, “Olive’s Mom” and “Olive”/understudy
● Benny Thoms-Warzecha, “Carl Dad”

The production team also includes: Michael Kalpakoff, assistant director; Rachael Buckallew, stage manager; AnnMarie Jacobson, costume designer; Stephanita ZumBerge, choreographer; and Michael Burr, set designer and producer. Additionally, LF Summer Musical organized a community art project, with workshop facilitation by Nancy Ratzloff, and art design by Bethany LaForce and Corinna Brose.
Numerous other local individuals and organizations are supporting the initiative through financial sponsorships, as well as by contributing their time and resources to the Little Falls Summer Musical Board of Directors and a Launch Advisory Team. In May, the Five Wings Arts Council awarded an individual artist grant to Lucas Burr to cover some production costs. The all-volunteer LF Summer Musical team is seeking tax-deductible donations (via GoFundMe.com and IndieGogo.com) and sponsorships from local individuals and businesses, in addition to promoting ticket sales for the performances.
With sufficient local support, LF Summer Musical plans to stage a variety of productions in future years – from children’s shows, to original works with a local theme, to Broadway musicals on a grand scale. For now, the company is focused on putting on a first-rate musical this August.
“Everyone is really excited. With such a talented cast, orchestra, and crew, it’s going to be a fantastic show,” Burr said. “And we know the community will turn out to welcome the return of summer musicals to Little Falls.”