SMU launches Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre
Danny Pancratz, as Bellhop, Ashley Dillard, as Maggie, JoLeen Davis, as Julia and Chris Kernan, as Saunders, rehearse a scene from “Lend Me a Tenor”
Chris Kernan, as Saunders, and Andy Greene, as Max, rehearse a scene from “Lend Me a Tenor”
WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University’s Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre will have audiences laughing and dancing in their seats during this summer’s light and lively presentations of “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Showtune: Celebrating the Words & Music of Jerry Herman.” The shows run in repertory four times a week from July 5 to Aug. 5 in Page Theatre.
“Lend Me a Tenor,” a farce by Ken Ludwig, tells the story of a world famous opera singer who is poised to perform his greatest role at a gala season opener. A series of mishaps, including the accidental tranquilizing of the guest star, lead to hilarious consequences as the cast and crew try to save the show.
“Showtune…,” a musical revue, showcases the range of composer/lyricist’s Jerry Herman’s work, which includes “Hello Dolly” and “Mame.” Herman’s repertoire spans the Golden Age of Broadway musicals and focuses on the comic and romantic aspects of life and relationships.
“ ‘Lend Me a Tenor’ and ‘Showtune’ are great pieces to work on for the summer,” said artistic director Judy Myers. “They are definitely audience pleasers. ‘Lend Me a Tenor’, due to the energy it takes to perform a farce, demands total commitment from the actors. Rehearsing the comic timing is crucial in this type of show. It requires a lot of physical and vocal skill from the performers. But they thrive on it. They love it and are exhausted by it at the same time.
“You’d think they’d be worn out after four hours of strenuous rehearsal for Tenor, but then they turn around and rehearsal for four more hours on ‘Showtune,’ exhausting them even more with the singing and dancing required for that show. This is where their training really shows. Getting through a demanding eight hour day really tests their ability to go the distance.”
The talented cast and crew hail from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
“Most of our actors, directors, and designers come from diverse university training programs including Ithaca College in New York, Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio, Southeast Missouri State University, Viterbo University in Wisconsin, Southwestern Illinois College, Indiana State University, Bradley University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Minnesota, and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota,” Myers said.
Make it dinner and a show for a full evening of enjoyment; pre-show dinners are offered every Friday and Saturday. Choose from several delicious entrees, including beef, chicken or vegetarian options (along with children’s dinners). Additionally, concessions are offered before every performance and at intermission. Beer and wine concessions are also available every Friday and Saturday.
Dinner reservations and show tickets are available at the Performance Center box office, (507) 457-1715, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and online at www.pagetheatre.org. The regular ticket price for either show is $15, $12 for senior citizens. Preview nights will be held Thursday, July 5, for “Lend Me a Tenor” and Thursday, July 12, for “Showtune” and all tickets will be $12.
Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre Co., Performance Schedule includes:
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 5, Preview Night Discount
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 6
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 7
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 3 p.m., Sunday, July 8
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 12, Preview Night Discount
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 13
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 14
“Showtune,” 3 p.m., Sunday, July 15
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 19
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 20
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 21
“Showtune,” 3 p.m., Sunday, July 22
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 26
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 27
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 28
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 3 p.m., Sunday, July 29
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 2
“Showtune,” 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 3
“Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4
“Showtune,” 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 5
