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Festival Theatre Opens Their Season and Celebrates 25 Years of Theatre 

6/23/2015

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PictureSeth Katlwasser plays Seymour Krelborn and Kelly Harris plays Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors
‘Feed Me Seymour’ is the phrase echoing through St. Croix Falls and other communities because Festival Theatre opened its season this past Saturday. Festival also celebrated 25 years of producing theatre in St. Croix Falls.

Festival opened their season with Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Festival’s Artistic Director, Jaclyn Johnson. Johnson has directed many shows at Festival and the last musical she directed was Crazy for You in 2013. “Jackie does an amazing job with casting and she really understands what our audiences will love. She always delivers a show that we are all proud of and everyone will enjoy,” says Pamela Fuchs-Vlasnik, General Manager.

One of the world’s most popular musicals, Little Shop of Horrors has been devouring the hearts of audiences for more than thirty years. Successful both as a Broadway and Hollywood box office smash, Little Shop of Horrors features dynamic music, tongue-in-cheek comedy, and sci-fi excitement from beginning to end.  

“Festival Theatre has been doing a musical production each summer since Once Upon a Mattress in 2011,” says Seth Kaltwasser, returning Guest Artist and former Development Director of Festival. “This is my first year performing in the cast; I enjoyed the others from an audience perspective, and each year I was impressed by how the theatre continued to expand its capacities as a venue for musical theatre. The performers - both on stage and in the pit band - are marvelous and the designs are always appropriately fun and dynamic. I'm excited to finally partake as a cast member in this year's musical. Little Shop of Horrors is a classic, and our production upholds the charm of the show, but also spins a couple of fresh twists into the staging of this beloved American musical.  Audiences should be prepared to see some creative surprises, and of course, hear some awfully catchy and dance-able showstoppers."

When a meek floral assistant named Seymour Krelborn, played by Seth Kaltwasser, stumbles upon a unique and previously undiscovered breed of plant, life in the struggling flower shop begins to look brighter. The trouble comes when it is discovered that the plant, which Seymour has named Audrey II after his coworker crush, requires a specific food to grow. Audrey II promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it and convinces Seymour to seek the precious plant food, blood. Quickly escalating into a “be careful what you wish for” scenario, Seymour must find a way to save himself, the plant shop, his love and the world from domination by the invading plant life.

“As with any production, the first thought is the same, 'how can we best tell this story, right now?'” says Jaclyn Johnson about the production of Little Shop of Horrors. “Our effort is never to reproduce a show our audience has seen before, but to re-imagine it, as director, designers, actors and other artists work together to decide what is the best way to share this story. Our 25th Anniversary production of Little Shop features all the building suspense and memorable characters that audiences will recall from the films and/or the production Festival produced ten years ago, and as promised there will be new ways of imagining this story, particularly with respect to the alien plant, Audrey II.  Our Audrey II is comprised of an imaginative acting ensemble featuring dynamic design aspects, and as she grows stronger and larger, she coaxes audiences to play along as we enter the eerie imagination land of a 1960's sci-fi thriller.”

Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (composer of many Disney hits such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Tangled and more) are the creative geniuses behind this delightfully twisted adventure.  The music, the story and the true-to-Festival creative energy are sure to please audiences all summer long.  

Tickets and flex passes can be purchased at festivaltheatre.org, by calling the box office at 715-483-3387 or emailing festivaltheatreboxoffice@gmail.com. Theatre tickets are $26 adults/$13.50 students ages 5-25. You can see Little Shop of Horrors this coming weekend, Thursday, June 25 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, June 27 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, June 28 at 2:00 pm.  This show will be playing in rep with the comedy, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)[revised]; the drama, A Streetcar Named Desire; and the fun, Festival Theatre Conservatory for Young Performer’s, Improv for YOUth.

Festival Theatre wishes to thank everyone who participated in the 25th Anniversary party and Afterglow party:  Festival’s volunteers, Festival’s board of directors, The Village Pizzeria, Manfred Schonauer from the Pipe Dream Center, Blue Candle Jazz Combo made up of the Unity Jazz Band, Dancing Dragonfly Winery, Endeavors Greenhouse, Northwoods Bakery and a special thanks goes out to St. Croix Regional Medical Center for their lead sponsorship of Little Shop.

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Improv Nights at Festival Theatre

6/23/2015

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PictureAndrew Bradford Benson, Seth Kaltwasser, Eric Peltz, Isaac Bont, Casey Schneider
After a successful run last summer, Festival Theatre is bringing back an entire summer of Friday night Improv Comedy to the schedule.  This year, 13 company members make up the rotating cast of Sew Good Improv.  Shows take place each Friday night, beginning June 26th at 9:00 pm following Music on the Overlook.

“Improvisational theatre is one of the best creative explorations for actors and great fun for audiences,” says Jaclyn Johnson, Artistic Director, who has trained at the Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis and was a member of several Improv Troupe’s before coming to Festival Theatre. “There are no rules for the worlds and people you can create in an instant, and no limit to the places you can go and the things you can do.  There are so many times in our lives when we have to deal with 'no' and improv is a world of “Yes, and..."  She explained, "even the audience is asked to participate!  While we stretch our character development, focus, wit and timing, audiences inspire the scenes with suggestions and liven the night with their laughs.  Nothing is better than an audience that is ready to have a great time.”

Tickets for Sew Good Improv are $5.00 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at festivaltheatre.org, by calling the box office at 715-483-3387 or emailing festivaltheatreboxoffice@gmail.com. Seating is limited with shows taking place in the street level Elbow Room. 


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Festival Theatre Opens Their Season and Celebrates 25 Years of Theatre

6/16/2015

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Picture
‘Feed Me Seymour’ will be the phrase echoing through St. Croix Falls and other communities as Festival Theatre opensLittle Shop of Horrors this coming Saturday, June 20th, at 7:30 PM. Festival will also be celebrating 25 years of producing theatre in St. Croix Falls with an Anniversary Party starting at 6:00 PM.

Everyone is invited to come and celebrate the 25th Anniversary at Festival Theatre. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres prepared by The Village Pizzeria will be served in the Elbow Room. Enjoy live music by Manfred Schonauer from the Pipe Dream Center and the Blue Candle Jazz Combo. The fun continues inside and out with our very own cash bar and wine tasting by Dancing Dragonfly.  Endeavors Greenhouse, a supporting sponsor, has provided Venus Fly Trap plants for you to grow and remember this special occasion.

Following this exciting celebration, Festival will open the season with Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Festival’s Artistic Director, Jaclyn Johnson. Johnson has directed many shows at Festival and the last musical she directed was Crazy for You in 2013. “Jackie does an amazing job with casting and she really understands what our audiences will love. She always delivers a show that we are all proud of and everyone will enjoy,” says Pamela Fuchs-Vlasnik, General Manager.

One of the world’s most popular musicals, Little Shop of Horrors has been devouring the hearts of audiences for more than thirty years. Successful both as a Broadway and Hollywood box office smash, Little Shop of Horrors features dynamic music, tongue-in-cheek comedy, and sci-fi excitement from beginning to end.  

“Festival Theatre has been doing a musical production each summer since Once Upon a Mattress in 2011,” says Seth Kaltwasser, returning Guest Artist and former Development Director of Festival. “This is my first year performing in the cast; I enjoyed the others from an audience perspective, and each year I was impressed by how the theatre continued to expand its capacities as a venue for musical theatre. The performers - both on stage and in the pit band - are marvelous and the designs are always appropriately fun and dynamic. I'm excited to finally partake as a cast member in this year's musical. Little Shop of Horrors is a classic, and our production upholds the charm of the show, but also spins a couple of fresh twists into the staging of this beloved American musical.  Audiences should be prepared to see some creative surprises, and of course, hear some awfully catchy and dance-able showstoppers."

When a meek floral assistant named Seymour Krelborn, played by Seth Kaltwasser, stumbles upon a unique and previously undiscovered breed of plant, life in the struggling flower shop begins to look brighter. The trouble comes when it is discovered that the plant, which Seymour has named Audrey II after his coworker crush, requires a specific food to grow. Audrey II promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it and convinces Seymour to seek the precious plant food, blood. Quickly escalating into a “be careful what you wish for” scenario, Seymour must find a way to save himself, the plant shop, his love and the world from domination by the invading plant life.

“As with any production, the first thought is the same, 'how can we best tell this story, right now?'” says Jaclyn Johnson about the production of Little Shop of Horrors. “Our effort is never to reproduce a show our audience has seen before, but to re-imagine it, as director, designers, actors and other artists work together to decide what is the best way to share this story. Our 25th Anniversary production of Little Shop features all the building suspense and memorable characters that audiences will recall from the films and/or the production Festival produced ten years ago, and as promised there will be new ways of imagining this story, particularly with respect to the alien plant, Audrey II.  Our Audrey II is comprised of an imaginative acting ensemble featuring dynamic design aspects, and as she grows stronger and larger, she coaxes audiences to play along as we enter the eerie imagination land of a 1960's sci-fi thriller.”

Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (composer of many Disney hits such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Tangled and more) are the creative geniuses behind this delightfully twisted adventure.  The music, the story and the true-to-Festival creative energy are sure to please audiences all summer long.  

Following the show, ticket holders are invited to an Afterglow party where they can meet the cast. This has become a tradition at Festival Theatre, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, live music and fun for all. Special thanks goes out to St. Croix Regional Medical Center for their lead sponsorship of Little Shop.


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Jaclyn Johnson directs Little Shop of Horrors
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Seth Kaltwasser returns to Festival to play Seymour, the lead role in Little Shop of Horrors
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Local Artist Creates One of a Kind Designs for Festival Theatre

6/9/2015

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Multi-media art is coming together in celebration of the 25th anniversary theatre season
at Festival Theatre in downtown St. Croix Falls. “A short video giving an overview of the amazing productions coming to the stage this season is on our website (festivaltheatre.org),” said Festival Theatre board member Melanie Nelson. “In that video, and in our print products this summer, we’re excited to share original drawings by designer Kim Murphy.”

Murphy is a designer and co-owner of Shoop Sculptural Design, Inc with her husband Jim Shoop. She is also no stranger to Festival Theatre.  “I started as a costume assistant in 1998 or ‘99, and I worked in that capacity until I had our daughter Sienna in 2003,” said Murphy.  Murphy also served on the board of directors at a time when the theatre reorganized with a transitional business plan and completed the 2006 season with a record-setting holiday show, “Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates”.

After her term on the board she chose to work on specific projects for the theatre, including her current service as volunteer with the development committee. Over the years Murphy and her family have decorated the theater for the holidays, planned and executed events, pruned the shrubs in front of the theatre, assisted with graphic design, and yes, she’s back to designing costumes. 

“I started costuming again with ‘Is He Dead’ in 2010. I had missed costuming so I started again by doing one show a year, and now I do two a year!”  Murphy graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design and from The Fashion Institute of Technology - New York with an AAS in Fashion Design.

“I was shocked to find a professional theater in St. Croix Falls and very happy that I could be a part of its survival, growth, history and its future,” said Murphy. “I love to see the changes that happen at the theater with each new season, new actors, growth and development of permanent artists and staff members, and with the volunteers who continue to give. It all comes together to ensure the survival and longevity of a creative hub that is essential to keeping the uniqueness of this little community viable.”

When asked to reflect on her involvement with Festival Theatre for the last 16 years Murphy said, “Being so close to the cities and being a part of such a strong art community in St. Croix Falls has enhanced my life, the life of my children, family and community and that is one of the best parts of living in the valley.”

Festival asked Kim Murphy to sketch a design for each of the produced shows for the 25th Anniversary Season. “we wanted to make this season a little more special and Kim seemed to be the perfect artist to help make that possible” said Pam Fuchs general manager “she has played such important roles here at Festival.”

You can see Murphy’s designs featured on all of Festival’s movie posters and website. You can also see her creative costuming in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” which opens August 1st and runs in rotating rep with “Little Shop of Horrors” and “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]”.

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St. Croix Festival Theatre
​Franklin Square Black Box, 125 N. Washington Street, St. Croix Falls, WI, 54024                 
715.483.3387
 festivaltheatreboxoffice@gmail.com  


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