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On Golden Pond to Transform a Black Box Theatre into a Nostalgic Summer Cabin

9/20/2016

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After closing “My Name is Rumpelstiltskin” to a sold out crowd on Sunday afternoon, Festival Theatre is preparing to open “On Golden Pond” by Ernest Thompson next Saturday, October 1st at 7:30 PM.  The cast of the play features faces new and familiar to Festival Theatre.

Ed Moersfelder plays Norman Thayer, the aging patriarch of the story.  Most recently seen as Grandpa in “The Grapes of Wrath” and Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol”, Moersfelder has graced the Festival Theatre stage since 2008 and always brings great life and depth to his characters.  He is joined by Robbye Lewis as Ethel Thayer.  Lewis joined Festival this summer as Ouiser in “Steel Magnolias”. Daniel Olson returns to the stage as Bill Raye, after bringing life to the doomed Mr Boddy this summer in “Clue, The Musical”.  Liam Gallagher is the youngest of the group, playing the teenage Billy Raye.  Gallagher has performed with Festival numerous times, most recently as Al Joad in “The Grapes of Wrath”.  The cast also includes a few new faces to Festival Theatre, including Jessica Passaro as Chelsea and local writer Greg Marsten as Charlie.

“It's been fun to watch the relationships of these characters grow in rehearsal.” Jaclyn Johnson, the director of the production explained, “Each actor brings a well rounded, fully developed character to rehearsal, and watching this group interact on stage has lead to some really exciting discoveries.  I'm looking forward to see how this story continues to grow as we quickly approach opening!“

The show centers around Ethel and Norman Thayer's return to Golden Pond for their forty-eighth year. Norman cannot shake from the morbid humor that heart troubles and a failing memory have caused in him. As Ethel and Norman struggle to meld their differing outlooks, an unexpected gift arrives when their daughter drops off her boyfriend’s teenage son before a trip to Europe. The boy becomes the spark that both needed to move forward and all are brought closer together as a family.  

“The script is tight and well paced, and though it is witty and light at times, there are a deep emotional set of stories that are honest and real.” elaborated Johnson, “Working with this team of designers and actors to bring this story to life on stage is a gift which I am greatly enjoying unwrapping.”

Tickets for “On Golden Pond” are  $26 for adults and $13.50 for youth (ages 5-25).  One performance is already sold out, so get your tickets soon.  Purchases can be made through Festival Theatre’s Box Office, located at the Franklin Square Black Box downtown St. Croix Falls, through the website FestivalTheatre.org or by calling(715)483-3387.
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Ed Moersfelder as Norman Thayer in rehearsal for “On Golden Pond”
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Monroe Crossing Returns to St. Croix Falls

9/2/2016

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Bluegrass fans take note – Monroe Crossing is returning to St. Croix Falls with Festival Theatre this fall. The high-energy, heart-stirring concert will take place at Alliance Church of the Valley on Saturday, September 24th, beginning at 7:30 pm. “Monroe Crossing has become one of our favorite staples in Festival’s music line-up” says Peter Weber, Technical Director at Festival Theatre.  Festival Theatre couldn't resist the opportunity to bring the band back to St. Croix Falls, this time at Alliance Church of the Valley.

Named in honor of Bill Monroe, “The Father of Bluegrass Music,” Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Their airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport make them audience favorites here and across the United States and Canada.

Based in Minnesota, the group plays an average of 125 shows a year at major venues and festivals, frequently for non-bluegrass audiences — and people often comment that they’d never really liked bluegrass music until they attended a Monroe Crossing concert!
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Among their many honors, Monroe Crossing was selected to showcase at the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association Convention and they were inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2007. The only bluegrass band ever nominated as “Artist of the Year” by the Minnesota Music Academy (MMA), Monroe Crossing won the 2003 MMA “Bluegrass Album of the Year” award. The group also took home four awards — for Female Vocalist, Guitar, Mandolin and Banjo — at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association’s 25th Anniversary Awards Banquet.  

Carolyn Hegeler, from the Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association, sings the praises of Monroe Crossing, “Where to begin with Monroe Crossing? In every way, they are shining professionals. Their instrumental prowess, strong lead and harmony vocals, varied repertoire with original songs/tunes, artful arrangements, and their warm and relaxed stage presence all made for a perfect evening of wonderful entertainment.” Hegeler continued, “ If you haven’t heard Monroe Crossing in concert yet, do it the first chance you get!”

Tickets are now on sale for Monroe Crossing’s return to St. Croix Falls, and are $26 in advance and $31 at the door.  Purchases can be made through Festival Theatre’s Box Office, located at the Franklin Square Black Box downtown St. Croix Falls, through the website FestivalTheatre.org or by calling (715)483-3387.

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St. Croix Festival Theatre
​Franklin Square Black Box, 125 N. Washington St.,  PO Box 801, St. Croix Falls, WI, 54024                 
715.483.3387
 festivaltheatreboxoffice@gmail.com  


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