2024 Season
FIRST NIGHT
PIRATES! THE MUSICAL
June 20, 27, July 11 & 18
Children’s Musical Theater – One Act
By John Jacobson & Roger Emerson
Directed by Joel Soukkala & Liz Sinisalo
Produced by special arrangement with Hal Leonard
Register On Line Tickets On Sale: June 3
“We’re off to sail the rollicking sea, pirates all are we!” But ARRRR, and shiver me timbers! There’s a stowaway on board! Perhaps the King of the High “C’s” will know what to do. Join this salty crew of colorful scallywags when Bluebeard, Yellowbeard, Whitebeard, Purplebeard – well, you get the picture – along with the No Beards hoist the Jolly Roger and set sail for a mighty adventure.
AN OUTLAW’S TALE
August 5-9
A Story About the Good, The Bad, And the Down-Right Lazy
Young Adult Theater – One Act Comedy
By Stephen Frankenfield
Directed by Jenn Soukkala
Produced by special arrangement with Heuer Publishing LLC.
Register On Line Tickets On Sale: June 3
Once upon a time the sheriff of New Town – the oldest town in the ole west – was a man the citizens admired. He was brave, strong and…well, awake. But now, ever since he ran all the outlaws out of town, he’s become bored and down-right lazy. All he does is sleep. So, the townspeople come together to devise a plan. They’ll send a brave few out into the wild desert to ask the three most notorious outlaws to come back to town to cause a raucous.
THE DINING ROOM
Sept. 27-29 & Oct. 3-6
Comedy/Drama
By A.R. Gurney
Directed by Miranda Stachowicz, Preston Johnson, Crystal Abernethy, Joshua Porter & Audrey Beryl
Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Auditions: July 28 Tickets On Sale: Sept. 9
Set in the dining room of a typical well-to-do household, the place where the family assembled daily for breakfast and dinner and for any and all special occasions. The action is comprised of a mosaic of interrelated scenes—some funny, some touching, some rueful—which, taken together, create an in-depth portrait of a vanishing species: the upper-middle-class WASP.
A GOBLINS CHRISTMAS CAROL
Dec. 6-8 & 11-15
Charles Dikens
Musical
By Kenneth L. Chumbley
Directed by Jodi Hodgson
Produced by special arrangement with Kenneth L. Chumbley
Auditions: Sept. 29 Tickets On Sale: Nov. 18
Early in his career, Charles Dickens wrote a short piece he called, “The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton.” In 1836, he used it in The Pickwick Papers (ch. 29), and in 1843, he used it as the basis for A Christmas Carol: his goblins story and A Christmas Carol both occur on Christmas Eve, both involve the redemption of a wretched, loveless man, and both involve metaphysical intervention. It is a retelling of Dicken’s short story that has all the themes that made A Christmas Carol a classic.
Past Events
BLACK COMEDY
NO BODY TO MURDER
Jan. 26-28 & Feb. 1-4
One Act Comedy
By Edith Weiss
Directed by Joel & Jenn Soukkala
Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Denver, Colorado
Tickets On Sale: Jan. 15
Bad news in the form of severe thunderstorms and an escaped convict threatens the guests at the Come On Inn of Nova Scotia. By the end of the day, gung-ho aerobics instructor Billie Body is mysteriously murdered during a power outage. Was it the cook’s lemonade that poisoned her, or did someone else have a hand in Body’s death? Who would have the audacity to commit murder under so many noses? Everyone has a hidden motive to want Billie Body dead. After all, she does have abs “to die for”!
CHRISTMAS BELLES
Dec. 7-10, 13 & 15-17
By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope & Jamie Wooten
Directed by
Larry Anderson
Produced by special arrangement
with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Auditions: Sept. 24
Tickets On Sale: Nov. 20
Season Pass: Nov. 13
It’s Christmas-time in the small town of Fayro, Texas, and the Futrelle Sisters are not exactly in a festive mood. Things are not looking too promising for the annual church Christmas program. With these squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator, will the show ever go on? However in true Futrelle fashion, the feuding sisters find a way to pull together in order to present a Christmas program that the citizens of Fayro will never forget.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Edward Jones, Brett Loeb
Sue Brown Chapin Watercolors
Northwoods Credit Union
Weis Eye Center, P.A.
Valley Printing
DEER CAMP
SEPTEMBER 29- OCTOBER1 & 5-8
Musical Comedy
By Gene Jurek
Music by Doug Spartz
Directed by Ruthie Breuer
Produced by special arrangement
with Steele Spring Stage Rights
Auditions: July 16
Tickets On Sale: Sept. 11
Season Pass: Sept. 5
Four buddies are enjoying their annual deer hunting trip, however this year is different. After 15 years of coming home with nothing but a hangover, their wives have given each an ultimatum: bag a deer or your deer camp days are over. Only one hurdle stands in their way— none of them know how to hunt.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
B&B Market, Brett Loeb
CreativEdge Designs
Frandsen Bank & Trust
The Medicine Shoppe
Dogs! A Tail-Wagging Musical
Childrens Musical Theater
Book by Christina Hamplett
Music by Wayne Simpson
PERFORMANCES
June 22, 29 & July 13, 20
Here’s a musical about everybody’s best friend! Ralph and Angel care for homeless dogs at the city animal shelter. But at the shelter, time is limited and only a miracle can save the furry characters. For students completing 1st grade and up. Camp will run from 9 am to 3 pm Monday-Thursday with performances on Thursday at 2 pm and 6 pm.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
sappi Fine Paper
Carlton Area Lions Club
Como Oil & Propane
The Day Aliens Attacked Fairfield
Young Adult Theater
By Stephen Frankenfield
Directed by Jenn Soukkala
PERFORMANCCES
August 4
Fairfield’s a place where nothing ever happens. Like it or not, though, the winds of change are about to descend. A couple of love-struck teens report an alien sighting, and Fairfield finds itself in a frenzy. Young Adult Theater is designed for ages 12-21.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
sappi Fine Paper
Carlton Area Lions Club
Como Oil & Propane
WOMEN PLAYING HAMLET
MAY 19-21 & 25-28
Comedy
By William
Missouri Downs
Directed by
Greg J. Anderson
Produced by special arrangement
with Playscripts, Inc.
Auditions: Feb. 26
Tickets On Sale: May 1
Season Pass: April 24
*This show contains Adult language
Hamlet’s a challenge for any actor, but when Jessica is cast as the titular character in a New York production, it sends her into an existential tailspin. How can Jessica figure out “to be or not to be,” when she can’t even figure out herself?
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Tomhave Dental Associates
The Nest Yoga & Wellness Studio LLC
Community Printing Inc.
Tracks
MARCH 17-19 & 30- April 2
One Act Drama
By Peter Tarsi
Directed by
Jenn & Joel Soukkala
Produced by special arrangement
with Dramatic Publishing Company
Tickets On Sale: Feb. 27
Season Pass: Feb. 20
A group of strangers meet in a well traveled subway station. They have arrived with limited personal belongings and they all claim to be in different cities, with no sense of time. Soon they learn there is no way out of the station, and the unfortunate truth is told to them.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
The Pine Knot News
Cloquet Country Club
Carmen’s Bar & Restaurant
Carlton Area Chamber of Commerce
Tracks will be available On Demand March 31-April 2
Charlotte’s Web
FEBRUARY 3-5 & 9-12
One-Act Family Show
Adapted by Joseph Robinette
Based on the book by E.B. White
Directed by Joel & Jenn Soukkala
Produced by special arrangement
with Dramatic Publishing Company
Tickets On Sale: Jan. 16
Season Pass: Jan. 9
Determined to save Wilbur, Charlotte begins her campaign with the “miracle” of her web. It’s the beginning of a victorious campaign which ultimately
ends with the now-safe Wilbur doing what is most important to Charlotte. This is a beautiful, knowing play about friendship.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Nelson Funeral Care and Cremation Services
PBS North
AireServ Heating & Air Conditioning
A Christmas Carol
December 2-4 & 7-11
A Ghost Story of Christmas (**Please note: there is no On Demand Option for this performance**)
By Charles Dickens
Adapted for the stage By Michael Wilson
Directed by Greg J. Anderson
Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Community Printing
Sue Brown Chapin Watercolors
Northwoods Credit Union
Weis Eye Center, P.A.
AireServ Heating & Air Conditioning
This theatrical and spirited version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL puts the phantasmagoric qualities of Charles Dickens’ classic tale center stage. A swirling, dancing chorus of ghosts that weave through this uplifting holiday story of redemption, magic and hope.
Auditions: Sept. 25
Tickets On Sale: Nov. 14
Season Pass: Nov. 7
Spreading it Around
September 23-25 & Sept. 29-Oct.2
Comedy By Londos D’ Arrigo
Directed by Larry Anderson
Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
The Pine Knot News
Tomhave Dental Associates
The Medicine Shoppe
Valley Printing
The Nest Yoga & Wellness
Angela Drayton, a wealthy widow living in an up-scale retirement community, is tired of handing out money to her unappreciative children. So she starts the “S.I.N. (Spending It Now) Foundation,” to give to those truly in need. This terrifies her greedy son, driving him to devise a plan to have her committed.
Auditions: July 17
Tickets On Sale: Sept. 5
Season Pass: Aug. 29
Game of Myths
July 22, 2022
Young Adult Theater By Jennifer Simmons
Directed by Jenn Soukkala
Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Sappi Fine Paper
Carlton Area Lions Club
Como Oil & Propane
Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College
There’s also a huge dose of positive energy as the Greek gods learn that the Cloud
Throne is up for grabs, with Zeus declaring the coveted throne will go to the do-gooder who’s the most helpful, compassionate, and caring. As all the gods gather in the final scene for an
Academy Awards-style show, how will Zeus decide among so many good deeds done? We find that old habits die hard in this fun tale of mythological creatures, mere mortals, and (mostly) good gods full of goodwill and grace.
For Camp information visit the Auditions and Education page.
Off Their Rockers
June 16, 23, 30 & July 14, 2022
Children’s Theater Musical By Jill & Michael Gallina
Directed by Joel Soukkala & Regina Roemhildt
Produced by special arrangement with Shawnee Press
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Sappi Fine Paper
Carlton Area Lions Club
Como Oil & Propane
Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College
Our story takes place in a senior center where all is quiet and calm, until the center director decides to use music and dance to bring fun and excitement into the lives of the seniors. Through songs and dances that were a part of the seniors’ past, the director, along with friends and family, encourage the seniors to “get off their rockers” and join in the fun.
For Camp information visit the Auditions and Education page.
Jerry Finnegan’s Sister
June 3-5 & 9-12, 2022
Comedy By Jack Neary
Suite Surrender
May 13-15 & May 20-22, 2022
Farce By Michael McKeever
Directed by Ruthie Breuer
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Frandsen Bank & Trust
It’s 1942, and two of Hollywood’s biggest divas have descended upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel — assistants, luggage, and legendary feud with one another in tow. Everything seems to be in order for their wartime performance…that is, until they are somehow assigned to the same suite.
Auditions: Jan. 30
Tickets On Sale: March 21
Season Pass: March 14
The Villain Wore A Dirty Shirt
February 11-13 & 17-20, 2022
One-Act Melodrama By Tim Kelly
Directed by Joel Soukkala
Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Edward Jones, Brett Loeb
CreativEdge Designs
Cloquet Country Club
Carmen’s Bar & Restaurant
In the mining town of Digalittledeeper, Olympia Klenz and Sweet Sally operate the local laundry called the “Tub and Scrub.” For years, Olympia has been collecting the gold flecks from the miner’s clothes and she’s managed to accumulate quite a tidy sum! When the villain, Phineas Flatworm, discovers this, he figures he could make millions if he were the only laundry in town. Suddenly, the other laundries in town “mysteriously” burn down.
Tickets On Sale: Jan. 24
Season Pass: Jan. 17
Doublewide, Texas Christmas
December 3-5 & 8-12
Comedy
By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope & Jamie Wooten
In this outrageously funny comedy, it’s Christmas-time in the newest—and tiniest—town in Texas. And it’s beginning to look a lot like trouble in Doublewide. Not only are the trailer park residents dealing with the stress of the holiday season, but they’ve just discovered that Doublewide is being double-crossed by the County. With their official incorporation papers in jeopardy, this band of eccentric Texans throw themselves into taking on the “Big Guys.” Determined to bolster their legitimacy, they first set their sights on the County-wide “Battle of The Mangers” competition.