The Blue, Bluegrass of Kentucky: Montgomery Inn & Versailles, KY

Montgomery Inn B & B

Today the road has brought me to Versailles, KY.

Memorial Day Weekend had arrived and I was long overdue to answer the call of the road.  Truth be told, this weekend was a bit of a treat for me as I had recently been promoted into a senior level position so I didn’t waste a beat in booking a room at Montgomery Inn Bed & Breakfast.

This was one of my longer outings, and would require 2 days of driving.  Eight hours of driving on day 1 brought me to Mt Vernon, IL where I stopped for the night at a Holiday Inn.  After several hours of rest, I was ready for some dinner so I walked the few hundred feet to Showdown Steakhouse & Saloon.

Showdown Steakhouse & Saloon

For a rarity, I was starving.  (What can I say?  An apple and a bit of beef jerky wasn’t enough fuel to see me through the day.)  I ordered the 10 oz ribeye with some sauteed mushrooms and onions along with a salad and enjoyed one of the tenderest steaks I’ve ever sunk my teeth into along with some of the fluffiest rolls I’ve ever tasted with a smidgen of cinnamon butter.

The weariness of an 8 hour drive combined with a relaxing meal finally caused fatigue to catch up with me and I called it a night at 9pm where a full night of sleep re-energized me for another day of driving.

Sometimes even the interstate can take you to a pretty neat place.  Part of my 2^nd day drive went through Indiana and for years I’ve semi-joked about how travel grinds to a halt due to about five interstates merging there.  But this route was almost a subtle entry and it took me through the Hoosier National Forest where I just got to enjoy some of God’s splendor as I zipped down the lone interstate.

I rolled into town a tick past 1pm.  I had paid $25 to check in early so I wandered into the house and met the innkeeper, Pam, and her trusty labradoodle, Sadie.  Pam gave me the codes to use Hulu and Netflix and sent me to my room, the Cottage Suite.

This inn is a bit different than any I’ve visited.  None of the rooms are in the house proper.  Connected to the house is a long trailer shaped like a railroad car (it was once an open walkway) and all of the rooms plus the dining room are contained in the structure.  My room was located in the caboose where I had a little porch where I could enjoy the perfect spring weather.

When I originally booked the room, it was called the Oriental and had an Eastern flavor.  It had a little remodeling done and now had a more homey atmosphere with sky blue walls, some comfy chairs, a king-sized bed with luxury sheets, a writing desk, and a jetted tub.  Truthfully, it felt more like a first class apartment. 

I puttered around for a few hours before I headed to one of Montgomery Inn’s recommended restaurants for my dinner.

That restaurant was Ricardo’s Grill & Pub, a modernized and elegant sports bar.  The pub was packed to the rafters, but service was still incredibly quick and efficient.  I enjoyed a Build Your Own Burger (vegetables, pepper jack, bacon, and grilled onions) while I read a classic mystery from Ellery Queen. 

Ricardo’s Grill & Pub

With a good dinner digesting, I made my way over to Woodford Theatre where I had made arrangements to review their production of The Music Man. 

Woodford Theatre

The theatre has an awfully good location as it shares space in a community center, but has its own auditorium which is very well suited for theatrical productions.  It also packs an impressive amount of talent as I enjoyed a very very good show which you can read about here.

After the show, I returned to the inn, still feeling well juiced due to having lost an hour crossing into the Eastern Time Zone.  So I enjoyed a little Law & Order on my smart TV while cobbling my play review together.  Around 11pm, I sunk under the sheets to enjoy a lengthy and comfortable sleep.

At 8:30am, I headed to the Club Car to have some breakfast.  The room has the look and feel of a dining car and I felt like I was on the Orient Express as I sat down to enjoy a bit of breakfast and conversation with Pam.  She had whipped up homemade cornbread along with a breakfast scramble of sausage, two poached eggs, and fried potatoes.  A little pepper and hot sauce enhanced the already fine meal and I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before returning to the Cottage Suite.

Normally, I plan a lot of activities, but I didn’t do so this time around.  Two days of driving just found me wanting to relax.  For myself, I took a long soak in my jacuzzi bath and then spent my day reading, walking, and trying to get caught up on Cobra Kai.  I will say that outside of Woodford Theatre, there are also a few museums and historical houses in town.  There are many horse related activities as this is derby country.  The towns of Frankfort and Lexington are also nearby if you’d like to hunt up some other activities.

But I enjoyed a sweet day of doing virtually nothing before heading over to Shelbyville where I enjoyed a service at Church of the Annunciation and then it was time for dinner.

Church of the Annunication

KFC’s founder, Col. Sanders and his wife, Claudia, lived in Shelbyville and had quite a compound.  Mrs. Sanders opened her own restaurant on the property, Claudia Sanders’ Dinner House, which is still in operation today.  Mrs. Sanders had her own secret recipe for fried chicken and I was looking forward to putting that to the taste test.

Claudia Sanders’ Dinner House

The restaurant is located in what seems like a small auditorium on the far end of the property.  You walk into a entry hall which contains a gift shop before being sent down a long hallway to the dining room.  The room does feel like the dining room of a house with a large fireplace at one end of the room with a picture of the Colonel hanging above it.

I ordered the two piece chicken dinner which came with authentic mashed potatoes with milk gravy and a second vegetable of choice (I picked baked apples) along with some fluffy rolls shaped like muffins.  The potatoes were light and whipped.  The baked apples were blended with cinnamon.  And the chicken was tasty and juicy.  Some have said her recipe for fried chicken is better than Col. Sanders.  I think it’s more of an apples and oranges thing, but I liked it and thought it more than measured up to the Colonel’s recipe.

With dinner taken care of, I returned to the inn to rest up for the night before the next day’s travels.

I awoke to a rainy, gray, and chilly morning.  I once again made my way to the Club Car where I was greeted by Pam and the exuberant Sadie.  Today’s repast consisted of homemade waffles with an apple/walnut compote and sausage patties.  I enjoyed some more conversation with Pam (and played a little fetch with Sadie) before bidding the duo adieu and hitting the road.

And so ends another chapter of the road.  If you’re looking for a quaint getaway in some beautiful country, try a stay at Montgomery Inn.  It’s literally a home away from home.

Until the next time. . .happy travels.

Theatre Lawrence Announces 2023-2024 Season

Theatre Lawrence Proudly Announces 2023-2024 Season

CROWNS

Adapted by Regina Taylor from a book of the same name

A moving and celebratory musical play in which hats become a springboard for an exploration of black history and identity. In the show, a young black woman comes to stay with relatives after her brother is killed.  Weaving together faith, fashion and family, CROWNS traces the tradition of hats back to African rituals and forward to current fashion. Filled with gospel music and a little rap, the show pulses with energy and was hailed by the New York Times as “a show that seems to arise out of spontaneous combustion…”

SEPTEMBER 22, 23, 24 ; 28, 29, 30 |  OCTOBER 1

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard O’Brien  

The original kitsch rock ‘n’ roll sci-fi gothic musical returns!  The cult classic deals with mutating identity and time warps, as innocents Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters as they sing and dance their way to Frank-N-Furter’s latest creation.

OCTOBER 26, 27, 28

A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL

Book by Joseph Robinette | Music and lyrics by Benj Pask and Justin Paul

Based on the Warner Brothers movie and the book by Jean Shepherd  

The perennial Christmas favorite! Set in the 1940’s, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts—an Official Red Ryder BB gun. Watch for the tongue stuck to the flagpole; the snowsuit; the bullies, the leg lamp award; the bunny suit; the Christmas dinner, and other iconic moments.

DECEMBER 1, 2, 3; 7, 8, 9, 10; 14, 15, 16, 17

DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE

A dramatic comedy by Sarah Ruhl

An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet café. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. And a dead man – with a lot of loose ends. `A wildly imaginative new story about how we memorialize the dead – and how that remembering changes us, as we confront assumptions about morality, redemption, and the need to connect in a technologically obsessed world

JANUARY 19, 20, 21; 25, 26, 27, 28

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED

A mystery by Agatha Christie | Adapted by Leslie Darbon

An announcement in the local paper states the time and place of an imminent murder.  When an unknown visitor to Miss Blacklock’s Victorian home dies under the prescribed circumstances, Miss Marple turns up to solve the case in a classic Christie puzzle of mixed motives, concealed identities, twists and turns.

MARCH 1, 2, 3; 7, 8, 9, 10

I HATE HAMLET

A comedy by Paul Rudnick    

A young and successful television actor relocates to New York where he is offered the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage. The problem: He Hates Hamlet. His dilemma deepens with the entrance of John Barrymore’s ghost, who arrives intoxicated and in full costume to the apartment that once was his. The contrast between the two actors leads to a wildly funny duel over women, art, success, duty, television, and the apartment. 

APRIL 19, 20, 21; 25, 26, 27, 28

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Book by Joseph Stein | Music by Jerry Bock | Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

A musical theatre tradition! This is a tale of Tevye and his family in a changing Russia. The plight of traditional values in the face of changing social mores and ethnic prejudice cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion to touch audiences on a universal level with laughter, sadness and joy.

JUNE 7, 8, 9; 13, 14, 15, 16; 20, 21, 22, 23  

The Blood in the Blizzard

An unsavory businessman is found murdered in his locked sleeper car on the Orient Express.  Who killed him?  Was it the obnoxious, man-hungry American?  Perhaps it was the pious missionary?  Could it be the Russian princess?  Match wits with Hercule Poirot and see if you can figure out who done it when you watch Murder On the Orient Express at Theatre Lawrence.

One thing I’ve discovered as a regional writer is that a certain show or two get hot every single season and hit the schedules of many theatres.  The last year or so, this show has been a sizzling property.  So much so that this marks my fourth review of it.  That being said, Theatre Lawrence’s version has been my personal favorite as all of the right elements came together to forge an incredibly intense and gripping night of theatre.

I was hooked on Jessica Franz-Martin’s direction from the very first voiceover.  Franz-Martin sets the mood for this tragic mystery with an ethereal voiceover held over the projection of a gently falling snow and it’s off to the races from there.  Not only does she lead her actors to pristine performances, but her staging is off the charts as she knows just how and when to bring in the technical elements to enhance the storytelling which will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final revelation.

As for the cast. . .well, there isn’t a weak link in the lot.  Under Franz-Martin’s skillful guidance, they work like an Olympic caliber relay team as they effortlessly pass the verbal baton back and forth between each other.  Don Hires is the model of efficiency as the conductor, Michel.  Kelli Szrot will have you grinding your teeth as the irritating Helen Hubbard who never knows when to shut her yap.  Richard J. Burt is ebullient and high-strung as Monsieur Bouc, the manager of the company that owns the Orient Express.  Erica Baruth’s tongue cracks like a whip as the blunt and direct Princess Dragomiroff.  Laura Burt strikes just the right note of piety as the missionary, Greta Ohlsson.  Malachi Swedberg is loyal, if put upon, as Hector Macqueen, the secretary to the murder victim.  Emma Webster’s physicality shows she’s hiding a secret as the former governess, Mary Debenham.

 I was quite impressed by the versatility of Dan Heinz who plays the dual roles of Colonel Arbuthnot and Samuel Ratchett.  As Ratchett (the murder victim), he comes off like a Neanderthal with his brutish temperament, his slumped shoulders, and mobster voice.  As Arbuthnot, he is every bit the honorable soldier with his ramrod posture and his strong, but firm voice that rings with the right level of authority which would make you follow and respect him.

Abby Ilardi Lowry has a very compelling performance as Countess Andrenyi.  Lowry brings a deep intelligence to the character who is more than capable of matching wits with the genius of Hercule Poirot.  I especially liked her banter with Poirot which strongly hinted that in another time and place, there might have been something more between them.  Lowry has a real gift for nimble wordplay with her dialogue during the corpse examination scene being a shining example.

In the midst of all the murder and mystery stands Hercule Poirot, incredibly essayed by Michael Juncker.  Juncker beautifully underplays the role and just exudes a sense of mastery and control.  His deductions are always spontaneous and extemporaneous, but what I truly enjoyed was the weightiness he brought to the role.  Poirot begins this mystery with a burdened conscience as his most recent case had tragic results.  This burden is always lurking in the background until his solution in this case forces him to face the reality that the law and justice may not always be one and the same.  Juncker shines with Poirot’s final decision in this moment and its aftermath.

I was blown away by James Diemer’s set.  It’s so functional as it changes from the walls and windows of a luxury hotel to the entrance to the Orient Express before splitting open to reveal a revolving set that smoothly rotates to show the conductor’s office, the sleeper car (wood outlines imply doors and walls), and the dining car (the snow frosted windows were a brilliant touch).  Diemer’s lights enhance the mood with the blood red of the murder scene and the almost sepia toned spotlights on the suspects during the denouement being especially nice flourishes.  Bob Newton’s sounds are a work of art that boost every moment whether it’s the jarring stop of the Express hitting a mountain of snow, to the old-time song playing from a radio, to my favorite moment, the metallic slashing of a knife in the murder scene.  Jane Penington’s costumes are period accurate with Michel’s tunic, Dragomiroff’s regal garb, and Poirot’s sedate suit being particular standouts.

If you’re looking for a stellar night of mystery and intrigue, this is it.  Taut with tension, rife with intrigue, and murderously mesmerizing.  Murder On the Orient Express is a puzzling night of entertainment that will have you biting your nails and keep your attention from the first snowflake to the final somber note.

Murder On the Orient Express runs at Theatre Lawrence through March 12.  Showtimes are Thurs-Sat at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm.  Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling 785-843-SHOW, visiting the Box Office, or visiting wp.theatrelawrence.com.  Theatre Lawrence is located at 4660 Bauer Farm Dr in Lawrence, KS.

‘Murder On the Orient Express’ is Making a Stop at Theatre Lawrence

Lawrence, KS–Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express. By morning the luxurious train is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.

A stunning night of murder, mystery, and intrigue is in store for you when one of the finest whodunnits ever written is brought to life in front of your eyes. Written by the legendary Agatha Christie and adapted for stage by the inestimable Ken Ludwig, Murder On the Orient Express promises to be as puzzling as it is entertaining. Tickets are available now at Theatre Lawrence for $30 and can be purchased by calling 785-843-SHOW, visiting the Box Office, or visiting wp.theatrelawrence.com. The show runs from Mar 3-12. Showtimes are Thurs-Sat at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm.

Murder On the Orient Express
Adapted by Ken Ludwig from a novel by Agatha Christie

Venue: Theatre Lawrence (4660 Bauer Farm Dr, Lawrence, KS 66049)

Directed by: Jessica Franz-Martin

Cast

Hercule Poirot…..Michael Juncker

Monsieur Bouc…..Richard Burt

Hector Macqueen…..Malachi Swedberg

Colonel Arbuthnot/Samuel Ratchett…..Dan Heinz

Michel the Conductor/Head Waiter…..Don Hires

Mary Debenham…..Emma Webster

Princess Dragomiroff…..Erica Baruth

Greta Ohlsson…..Laura Burt

Countess Andrenyi…..Abby Ilardi Lowry

Helen Hubbard…..Kelli Szrot

The Essence of Justice

The ensemble of “Murder On the Orient Express” (L to R Back Row: Merle Jobman, Jenny Sutphin, Mark Geist, Dylan Warren, Morgan Fox, Ashley Hothan, Vicki Cain. L to R Front Row: Diane Kahnk, Zoe Tien, Scott Clark.)

While riding the Orient Express, famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot finds himself investigating the locked room murder of an unsavory businessman. Will Poirot’s little gray cells penetrate the smoke and mirrors or has he finally been outwitted by a murderer who always seems to be one step ahead?  Find out by watching Murder On the Orient Express at Community Players.

This is actually my third time reviewing a production of this show and, as always, I’m not going to get into the plot outside of my opening paragraph as I want the audience to be able to enjoy the mystery to its fullest.  As I’ve noted in other reviews, Ken Ludwig not only adheres very closely to Agatha Christie’s novel, but he also plays the show pretty seriously and eschews his normal style of broad farce though his knack for humorous wordplay is still very much present.

Rachele Stoops surprised me by approaching the show from a very comedic angle.  Where the humor was natural and organic, it was a dead center bullseye.  The landing and feel of some of the other jokes is going to rely on one’s familiarity with the show or story.  If you’re a newbie, you’re likely to laugh uproariously.  If you’re super familiar with the story, some of the jokes might feel a little forced.

That being said, the quality of Stoops’ direction is very good indeed.  I really liked the staging of the production as it felt small and confined which really upped the sense of danger as one quickly realizes the killer is among the passengers on the train.  Pacing was incredibly brisk though some quicker cue pickups and closing spaces around words would enhance it even further.  Stoops has guided her thespians to well defined performances as each has developed a fully three dimensional person.

This is truly an ensemble play as each character plays a vital role and some strong performances came from Mark Geist as the hot tempered and protective Col. Arbuthnot.  Dylan Warren has a nice everyman quality as the put upon secretary of the murder victim.  Vicki Cain shows some versatility as the head waiter at a hotel restaurant and the efficient conductor of the Orient Express.

Zoe Tien brought an angle to Helen Hubbard that I’ve never seen before and, by golly, I loved it.  Not only was she perfectly obnoxious as the man hungry, childish American, but she was a moron.  Clearly this was a woman who just doesn’t get it and her obliviousness and pettiness made for some of the show’s best moments.  Of particularly fine vintage were her tap routine to irritate her mean-spirited train neighbor and her constant sniping with Princess Dragomiroff.

Diane Kahnk is deliciously droll as Princess Dragomiroff.  If you look up unflappable in the dictionary, you’re going to find Dragomiroff’s picture.  Nothing seems to faze her and she can more than hold her own with the formidable Poirot.  Kahnk’s bon mots are always on the mark and you can almost see the lightning bolts fly between her and Tien’s Hubbard during their arguments.

Scott Clark is a most effective Hercule Poirot.  Clark not only brings Poirot’s intelligence to the role, but he also brings his sense of mastery.  He is always in control of every situation and I liked the comfort he found in the law for, in his mind, justice and the law were always one and the same.  This makes his inner turmoil all the more intense when, for the first time, he is faced with a situation where justice and the law are on opposite sides of the line.  Scott foreshadows this struggle beautifully at the top of the show with a reference to a recently solved case and you can see that weighing on his mind when he is faced with the human factor of this denouement.

I was extraordinarily impressed with Jamie Ulmer’s set design.  He has an amazing sense of proportion as he was able to make the Orient Express feel like a behemoth in the small confines of the theatre.  He skillfully blends three sleeper rooms with the dining car and the design allows the actors to all be present and seen without feeling bunched up or blocking and upstaging each other.  His lighting is also excellent especially with the use of the spotlight on Poirot to bookend the start and finish of the play and his use of light and dark to get the audience looking in the wrong direction like a magician performing sleight of hand.  Ashley Hothan, Morgan Fox, and Diane Kahnk have well costumed the cast with period accurate clothing that suits the personality of the characters from Poirot’s elegant and perfectly measured suit to the royal dress of the proud Dragomiroff.  Jamie Ulmer, Brandon Clark, Doug Stokebrand, and Brielle Toland team up for some spot on sounds from the gentle chugging of the Express to this eerie siren sound that would blast at key moments of the case.

All in all, this is a very worthy show and the size of the audience and their proportional enjoyment have me convinced that Community Players has a definite hit on their hands.

Murder On the Orient Express plays at Community Players through Feb 19.  Showtimes are Fri-Sat at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm.  Tickets cost $20.43 and can be purchased at www.beatricecommunityplayers.com.  Community Players is located at 412 Ella St in Beatrice, NE.

Community Players to Present ‘Murder On the Orient Express’

The ensemble of “Murder On the Orient Express” (L to R Back Row: Merle Jobman, Jenny Sutphin, Mark Geist, Dylan Warren, Morgan Fox, Ashley Hothan, Vicki Cain. L to R Front Row: Diane Kahnk, Zoe Tien, Scott Clark.)

Community Players Proudly Present:

Murder on the Orient Express
Adapted by Ken Ludwig from a novel by Agatha Christie

Directed by: Rachele Stoops

Venue: Community Players (412 Ella St, Beatrice, NE)
Show Dates: Feb 10-19, 2023
Showtimes: Fri-Sat at 7:30pm. Sundays at 2pm

Synopsis
On the snowbound Orient Express, an American tycoon lies dead in his locked train compartment. With a killer in their midst, detective Hercule Poirot must expose the murderer before tragedy strikes again! Thrills and laughs abound in Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of this classic mystery by Agatha Christie.

Tickets go on sale Jan 30, 2023 and can be purchased at www.beatricecommunityplayers.com.

Cast
Scott Clark as Hercule Poirot
Merle Jobman as Monsieur Bouc
Morgan Fox as Megan Debenham
Mark Geist as Col. Arbuthnot/Samuel Ratchett
Ashley Hothan as Greta Ohlsson
Diane Kahnk as Princess Dragomiroff
Jenny Sutphin as Countess A’ndrenyi
Zoe Tien as Helen Hubbard
Vicki Cain as Michele
Dylan Warren as MacQueen

Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Announces 2023 Auditions

Arrow Rock, MO–Local auditions, held at the Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock, will take place on Thursday, February 23 and Friday, February 24 from 11AM-6PM. Please email headshots and resumes and audition time preference to casting@lyceumtheatre.org. No phone calls please. All auditions are by appointment only. Please prepare 16 bars of 2 contrasting songs or a brief monologue. An accompanist will be provided. All levels of experience are welcome. A Lyceum representative will be in touch to confirm your time slot. We are not accepting video auditions at this time.

Equity Principal Audition (EPA) Procedures are in effect for this audition. An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition. The Lyceum is committed to diversity and encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend.

New York Casting will be handled by Jason Styres, THE CASTING COLLABORATIVE.

2023 Season

The Addams Family
June 9-23

BOOK BY MARSHALL BRICKMAN AND RICK ELICE
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY ANDREW LIPPA
BASED ON CHARACTERS CREATED BY CHARLES ADDAMS

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious, and spooky—and now they are the stars of a hilariously ghoulish musical! Storm clouds are gathering over the Addams family’s mansion as Gomez faces every father’s nightmare: his daughter, Wednesday, the ultimate princess of darkness, has fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Gomez must do something he’s never done before– keep the secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. One thing is certain: the Addams family will never be the same.

Beautiful–The Carole King Musical
June 30-July 9

BOOK BY DOUGLAS MCGRATH
WORDS AND MUSIC BY GERRY GOFFIN & CAROLE KING, BARRY MANN & CYNTHIA WEIL
MUSIC BY ARRANGEMENT WITH SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING
ORCHESTRATIONS, VOCAL AND INCIDENTAL MUSIC ARRANGEMENTS STEVE SIDWELL
ORIGINALLY PRODUCED ON BROADWAY BY PAUL BLAKE, SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING, MIKE BOSNER

Before she was hit-maker Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of one woman’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. From the string of pop classics Carole King wrote for the biggest acts in music, to her own life-changing, chart-busting success, Beautiful takes you back to where it all began—and takes you on the ride of a lifetime. Featuring over two dozen pop classics, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman,” this crowd-pleasing international phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember—and the story you’ll never forget.

State Fair
July 21-30

MUSIC BY RICHARD RODGERS
LYRICS BY OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
BOOK BY TOM BRIGGS AND LOUIS MATTIOLI
BASED ON THE SCREENPLAY BY OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II AND THE NOVEL BY PHIL STONG

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s only musical written directly for the screen is now a Broadway musical! Set against the colorful backdrop of an American heartland tradition, State Fair travels with the Frake family as they leave behind the routine of the farm for three days of adventure at the annual Iowa State Fair. Mom and Pop have their hearts set on blue ribbons, while their children Margy and Wayne find romance and heartbreak on the midway. Set to the magical strains of an Academy Award-winning score and augmented by other titles from the Rodgers and Hammerstein songbook, State Fair is the kind of warmhearted family entertainment only Rodgers & Hammerstein could deliver!

Laughter On the 23rd Floor
Aug 18-27

BY NEIL SIMON

A love letter to his early career as a TV writer on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows alongside the likes of comedy legends Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks, Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor follows the roller coaster antics of a not-your-average 1950s writers’ room, as they frantically attempt to please their larger-than-life boss. Frantically scrambling to top each other with hilarious gags while battling with studio executives who fear the show’s humor is too sophisticated for Middle America, the writing and fighting of the team expose the social and political undercurrents of the 1950s.

The Mousetrap
Sept 8-17

BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

From the Grand Dame of mystery, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap holds the world record for the longest running production, mesmerizing audiences for more than sixty years. Monkswell Manor welcomes a group of strangers in the midst of a snowstorm and on the heels of a murder in town. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. A police detective, arriving on skis, interrogates the suspects: the newlyweds running the house; a spinster with a curious background; an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef; a retired Army major; a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift; and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears escalate. Will the identity of the murderer be revealed before they strike again?! The Mousetrap’s riveting plot will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!

Bright Star
Sept 29-Oct 8

MUSIC, BOOK & STORY BY STEVE MARTIN
MUSIC, LYRICS & STORY BY EDIE BRICKELL

Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful bluegrass melodies and powerfully moving characters, Bright Star unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting and nostalgic theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.

The Lies We Weave

After breaking into the home of the Hailsham-Browns, a shady character is murdered.  For reasons of her own, the lady of the house tries to cover up the crime, but a relentless police inspector is bound and determined to bring the truth to light.  This is Spider’s Web and it is currently playing at Bellevue Little Theatre.

As an actor I understand the importance and the struggle of avoiding typecasting.  Actors often yearn for the opportunity to play something different from what brought them to the table for a change of pace, the challenge, etc.  In a sense, this play is Agatha Christie’s attempt to avoid being typed solely as a mystery writer.

Seeking to play a different role from the sinister characters for which she had become known, Margaret Lockwood requested Christie write a little comedy thriller for her.  Christie laid a little too much into the comedy side of things.  Had she brought her legendary gift for plotting into the mix, I think the show would have been better served.  What we have is a comedy with just the barest trappings of a mystery.

This particular production is boosted by two things.

1. Christie’s gift for unique characters remains intact.
2. A cast and director who found every bit of gold in the story and elevated it based on talent and effort.

Indeed, Christopher Scott shows an extraordinary level of theatre acumen in his direction of this piece.  He leans heavily into the character work and makes certain that all of his performers have well-defined characters who are grounded in reality, even with their quirks.  Scott crafts some fine moments of tension and shock with the murder scene being of a particularly fine vintage.  Some of my favorite moments were the slamming of drawers and the ominous sliding open of a secret passage just so I could hear the audible reactions of the audience member sitting in front of me.  Scott keeps the pace up as well as could be done as this show is just crammed with dialogue, especially in the lengthy first act and has his actors lean into the comedy which helped add vitality to long stretches of dry dialogue.

There isn’t a weak tire in the cast and you’ll see some fine character performances from Dennis Stessman as a very proper butler who knows how to make an exit.  At the age of 14, Lilli Westman has a sense of comfort on stage equitable to veteran adults which makes her Pippa a joy to watch.  Jon Roberson serves as a beacon of normalcy as the steady Henry Hailsham-Brown.  Ben Pearson brings an oily criminality to Oliver Costello.  Brandon Dorsey is stalwart as Constable Jones.  Jackson Newman and Randy Wallace have some extremely excellent chemistry as a comedy duo with their characters of Hugo and Rowland.  Matt Karasek is superbly charming as Jeremy and can speak volumes with an expression or a look.

As Christie deviated from her normal style of writing, this show doesn’t contain a proper detective character though the Inspector comes the closest.  In the hands of a less capable performer, this character could be very one dimensional, but Katie Otten adds multiple dimensions through sheer force of acting ability.  With her ramrod posture and steely-eyed gaze, Otten makes it clear her Inspector is not one to be trifled with.  She brings an intelligence to her character as she knowingly keeps the suspects separated so they can’t collude on stories and is able to spot the clues and make rapid fire deductions. She can also play good cop/bad cop on her lonesome as she can be ingratiating and sympathetic in one moment and then be as volatile as lightning in the next.

One always has the feeling that Sarah Dighans’ Miss Peake isn’t wrapped all that tightly.  She truly lives in her own little reality as she often walks into the Hailsham-Browns’ home as if she owns it and punctuates her speech with a piercing laugh that has the others potentially looking for a straitjacket in case she starts frothing at the mouth.  Miss Peake is assuredly one of the most original characters I’ve seen brought to life and Dighans’ rendition of this character is a highlight of the night.

Clarissa Hailsham-Brown has a fantasy life worthy of Snoopy.  Sara Scheidies’ interpretation of this character had me sensing that she was truly bored of the life of a housewife as she enjoyed playing little jokes on her friends and loved indulging in the game of “Supposing” where she invents little fantasies to enjoy.  Clearly she enjoys the game a little too much for, as she often says, people don’t believe her even when she tells the truth.  Scheidies brings a real innocence to the character as her addiction to “Supposing” gives her an appalling lack of common sense as she tries to cover up the murder instead of seeking the aid of the police.  Or maybe she has more crucial reasons for avoiding the police. . .

Chris Ebke has designed a lovely little country house with soft tan walls, elegant period furniture, a crystal chandelier, and a very neat secret passage that triggered memories of the old Batman TV series.  Joey Lorincz has some very effective lighting tricks as he has the chandelier exude a soft blue when the lights go down so you can see just enough of what’s going on to know what’s happening, but without revealing any salient plot points.  Lora Kaup has designed proper period correct clothes from the 1940s-50s with handsome suits, golf wear, and dresses.

While I prefer more mystery in my mysteries, the efforts of this cast and director turn a middling story into an enjoyable night of character work with a few shocks and surprises and elevate it into something far better.

Spider’s Web plays at Bellevue Little Theatre through Jan 29. Showtimes are Fri-Sat at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm.  Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at the Box Office, at blt.simpletix.com, or calling 402-413-8945.  Bellevue Little Theatre is located at 203 W Mission Ave in Bellevue, NE.

Lofte Community Theatre Announces 2023 Season

Doublewide, Texas

By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, & Jamie Wooten

March 24, 25, 26, 30, 31 & April 1, 2

Auditions: Feb. 13 & 14 @ 7 PM

The inhabitants of one of the smallest trailer parks in Texas—four doublewides and a shed—are thrown for a loop when they realize the nearby town of Tugaloo is determined to annex them. These friends, enemies, and neighbors will need to work together to overcome the oncoming annexation and preserve their way of life. This hilarious, fast-paced comedy, comes with plenty of “down home” humor to go around!

Wit

By Margaret Edson

May 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14

Auditions: Feb. 16 & 17 @ 7 PM

*We suggest PG-13 for adult themes- This show discusses cancer and death*

Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a renowned professor of English who has spent years studying and teaching the brilliant and difficult metaphysical sonnets of John Donne, has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. During the course of her illness—and her stint as a prize patient in an experimental chemotherapy program at a major teaching hospital—Vivian comes to reassess her life and her work with deep insight and humor that are transformative both for her and the audience. Winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

9 to 5: The Musical

Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton; Book by Patricia Resnick

July 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30

Auditions: May 15 & 16 @ 7 PM

Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to take the power away from the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. Based on the 1980 hit movie, 9 to 5 The Musical is a hilarious, outrageous, and thought-provoking story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. Come see these women take control of their office and discover there is nothing they can’t do, even in a man’s world.

The Mousetrap

By Agatha Christie

September 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10

Auditions: July 24 & 25 @ 7 PM

*This show discusses death, murder, and child abuse*

After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, as the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. A police detective arrives on skis to interrogate the suspects but when a second murder takes place, tensions and fears escalate. This murder mystery features a brilliant surprise finish from Dame Agatha Christie, the foremost mystery writer of her time. The world’s longest-running play comes to the Lofte stage!

The Nerd

By Larry Shue

October 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29

Auditions: Aug. 13 @ 2 PM & Aug. 14 @ 7 PM

Aspiring architect Willum Cubbert owes his life to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life when he was wounded in battle. Willum has told Rick that as long as he is alive, “you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you.” To Willum’s delight, Rick unexpectedly appears on the night of his thirty-fourth birthday party. However, delight soon turns to dismay as he discovers that Rick is a hopeless “nerd,” —a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and less tact. This outrageous comedy will leave you laughing all the way home!

A Doublewide, Texas Christmas

By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, & Jamie Wooten

December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17

Auditions: Oct. 16 & 17 @ 7 PM

Back in one of the smallest trailer parks in Texas, it’s beginning to look a lot like trouble! 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. New problems come up and familiar problems come back as this band of eccentric Texans must band together once more to keep their lifestyle and their holiday spirit! Oh, there’s no place like a good ol’ Texas-sized mobile home for the holidays!

Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Announces 2023 Season

Arrow Rock, MO—Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre has announced its 2023 season.

The Addams Family
June 9-23

Book by MARSHALL BRICKMAN and RICK ELICE
Music and Lyrics by ANDREW LIPPA
Based on Characters Created by Charles Addams

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious, and spooky—and now they are the stars of a hilariously ghoulish musical! Storm clouds are gathering over the Addams family’s mansion as Gomez faces every father’s nightmare: his daughter, Wednesday, the ultimate princess of darkness, has fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Gomez must do something he’s never done before– keep the secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. One thing is certain: the Addams family will never be the same.

Beautiful–The Carole King Musical
June 30-July 9

Book by Douglas McGrath
Words and Music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
Music by Arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Orchestrations, Vocal and Incidental Music Arrangements Steve Sidwell
Originally Produced on Broadway by Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Mike Bosner

Before she was hit-maker Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of one woman’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. From the string of pop classics Carole King wrote for the biggest acts in music, to her own life-changing, chart-busting success, Beautiful takes you back to where it all began—and takes you on the ride of a lifetime. Featuring over two dozen pop classics, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman,” this crowd-pleasing international phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember—and the story you’ll never forget.

State Fair
July 21-30

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli
Based on the screenplay by Oscar Hammerstein II and the Novel by Phil Stong

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s only musical written directly for the screen is now a Broadway musical! Set against the colorful backdrop of an American heartland tradition, State Fair travels with the Frake family as they leave behind the routine of the farm for three days of adventure at the annual Iowa State Fair. Mom and Pop have their hearts set on blue ribbons, while their children Margy and Wayne find romance and heartbreak on the midway. Set to the magical strains of an Academy Award-winning score and augmented by other titles from the Rodgers and Hammerstein songbook, State Fair is the kind of warmhearted family entertainment only Rodgers & Hammerstein could deliver!

Laughter On the 23rd Floor
Aug 18-27

By Neil Simon

A love letter to his early career as a TV writer on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows alongside the likes of comedy legends Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks, Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor follows the roller coaster antics of a not-your-average 1950s writers’ room, as they frantically attempt to please their larger-than-life boss. Frantically scrambling to top each other with hilarious gags while battling with studio executives who fear the show’s humor is too sophisticated for Middle America, the writing and fighting of the team expose the social and political undercurrents of the 1950s.

The Mousetrap
Sept 8-17

By Agatha Christie

From the Grand Dame of mystery, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap holds the world record for the longest running production, mesmerizing audiences for more than sixty years. Monkswell Manor welcomes a group of strangers in the midst of a snowstorm and on the heels of a murder in town. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. A police detective, arriving on skis, interrogates the suspects: the newlyweds running the house; a spinster with a curious background; an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef; a retired Army major; a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift; and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears escalate. Will the identity of the murderer be revealed before they strike again?! The Mousetrap’s riveting plot will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!

Bright Star
Sept 29-Oct 8

Music, Book & Story by Steve Martin
Music, Lyrics & Story by Edie Brickell

Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful bluegrass melodies and powerfully moving characters, Bright Star unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting and nostalgic theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.