YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR THEATRE SEASON. AberdeenCommunityTheatre.com

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1 2014 SEASON AberdeenCommunityTheatre.com NOW SHOWING Wednesday, May 7 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. Thursday & Friday, May 8 & 9 7:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, May 10 & 11 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. Troupe America Inc., Executive Producer, Curt Wollan Presents THE CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES in A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR BASEMENT Inspired by the books of Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, including the best-seller Growing Up Lutheran Written by Greta Grosch Music and Lyrics by Drew Jansen YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR THEATRE.

2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Barb Evans, President Ann Rasmussen, Vice-president Vicki Lust, Secretary Linda Bartholomew, Treasurer MEMBERS AT LARGE Linda Batteen, Gregg Magera, Warren Redmond, Dr. Curt Wischmeier Kathy Stuck, Ex-Officio Rory King, Legal Counsel STAFF James L. Walker, Artistic/Managing Director Brian T. Schultz, Education/Technical Director Heidi Jenson, Technical Assistant Mary Keahey, Office Manager Ronda Anderson, Administrative Assistant AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY THEATRE Improving Communities One Theatre at a Time ACT is a proud member of the American Association of Community Theatre info@aact.org // FROM THE ARTISTIC/MANAGING DIRECTOR Welcome to our first show of the 2014 season, The Church Basement Ladies in a Mighty Fortress is Our Basement. We are pleased to have Troupe America back at the Capitol Theatre in the fourth Basement Ladies installment. I know our audiences have enjoyed the show in the past and we look forward to presenting the latest escapades of these fun Lutheran ladies. In a few years, I m sure we will look at bringing the fifth and supposedly final episode. I hope you enjoy the performance. When this program went to press, there were still seats available for all remaining performances, so unless you are here on Sunday night, be sure tell your friends. Since we end the run of this show on Mother s Day, you could even surprise mom with a trip the Church Basement. Buy an accompanying ticket and all moms get in free on Mother s Day weekend performances. ACT s next production will be God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza. It is a comedy of manners without manners. See the description at the bottom of the page. I think that description puts the show in a nutshell and it will be great fun putting it together. Just so you are aware, the show has some language that may be offensive. So, we are rating the show PG due to language. The show will tentatively be June Watch for box office openings later this month. Our third production of the season will be the summer musical, Little Shop of Horrors. Auditions will be held May 18 & 19 at 7:00 p.m. here at the Capitol Theatre. Production dates are tentatively scheduled for early August. As we look forward to our 2014 season, I invite you to become an ACT subscriber. Remember, subscribers are always the first to know and are able to get tickets before the general public. Even better, subscribers always get the best price on tickets. For example, subscribers paid less than half the $30 general admission price for their tickets to Church Basement Ladies, as a part of their 2014 ACT season ticket. So, join today and become a subscriber for the four remaining shows in Use the back page of this program for your convenience. As always, word-of-mouth is the best advertising for ACT productions, so if you enjoyed this performance tell your friends. Thanks for getting in the ACT, by supporting your community theater. JAMES L. WALKER support is provided with funds from the State of South Dakota through the Department of Tourism and State Development and the National Endowment for the Arts Office of Arts 800 Governors Drive Pierre, SD In State DONALD H. HALL, Co-Founder of ACT Honoree of ACT s Donald H. Hall Scholarship, assisting ACT volunteers attending NSU. For more information or to contribute to this scholarship endowment fund, contact ACT at (605) ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE

3 CONTRIBUTING SUPPORT SEASON SPONSORS contact ACT for information Aberdeen Federal Credit Union American News Dacotah Bank Michael A. & Rosemary L. Duch Bill & Karen Edwards Michael & Barbara Evans Interior Design Concepts Kathleen s ManorCare Ophthalmology Associates Curt Wischmeier, MD John Bormes, MD Quality Quick Print/ Midstates Printing South Dakota Arts Council Sally & Ka P. Squire Target 3M PRODUCER $1,000 - $1,499 Great Western Bank hibü Harvey & Cynthia Jewett Bette Sandvig THEATRE ANGEL $525-$999 Hansen Video Services/ Wayne Hansen Hub City Radio JDH Construction, Inc. McQuillen Creative Group, Inc. Donna L. & Dean O. Mehlhaff Rees & Bonnie Mielke Pantorium Cleaners Kendall & Linda Peterson Reed & Ann Rasmussen Warren & LeAnne Redmond 2013 ACT s The Top Job! Abigail Yates as Jenna and Brian T. Schultz as Dad Lyle Walker James & Eileen Zimmerman BENEFACTOR $275-$524 Aberdeen Monument M. Nancy Aman Tom & Linda Bartholomew Carmel Heyd Dr. Karl & Betsy Kosse Laura Kramp Dee Lauinger Jerald & Marlene Loebs Northern Valley Communications NorthWestern Energy Pauer Sound & Music/ Scott & Renita Sauer Janis Pearson Steve & Cec Peters Safety Service, Inc./ Jeff & Michelle Walth Jim & Marilyn Seeber Jim & Tracy Thares Robert Webb Dr. Robert G. & Kathleen Webb Max & Heidi Williams Mark & Susan Wismer Daniel Yurgaitis SUSTAINER $125-$274 Mark & Ronda Anderson Richard & Sharlene Anderson Robert & Judith Beadle Doug & Rhoda Berkley Delbert & Judy Bertsch Robert & Arlene J. Borchard Gordon & Jeanne Campbell James & Susan Cremer Dawn Deal Dahl Roger & Beth Deiter Dental Center/ Dr. David & Bonny Merxbauer 2013 ACT s The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein Courtney Rott, Jr. as Frederick Frankenstein, Eli Corbett as Igor and Yvonne Freese as Inga Vera Deyo Doug & Anita Eilers Gail Erdmann Rod & Vicki Evans Robert & Erin Fouberg Terry & Cheryl Geisler David & Erin Giovannini Karl & Doris Graeber Chuck & Wendy Gugel Leo & Eleanor Haar Don & Kathy Harmel Debora Heine Dennis & Cherie Hellwig Verna Hoffman Mike & Rebecca Jeschke Brenda Lanphere Eve Larson Michael & Sandra Levsen Olive Lovett Gary & Diane Mathiesen Dave Nikolas Henry & Sharon Nikolas Philip Flip & Evelyn Nikolas Robert & Lyla Nikolas Gloria Pharis Muriel Pigors Bob & Evelyn Pond Tim & Joan Renelt Marge Rosin Evelyn Rumrey Shirley Schuller James & Jo Sperry George P. & Sandy Sullivan Tri-State Water/RandyPeterson James L. Walker & Jerry Oligmueller Brenda Weishaar Larry & Margaret Wild Woodman Refrigeration/ John & Ramona Woodman Merlin & Mary Worlie PATRON $75-$124 Linda & Harvey L. Aman John & Patty Beyers Maxine Biersbach Colleen Callum Joy Coleman H. Paul & Peggy Dennert Al & Audrey Dutenhoffer Jeff & Kathy Eisenbeisz Rodney & Glenna Fouberg Gerald & Phyllis Gab Healthcare Plus Federal Credit Union Ralph & Mary Kusler Karen M. Lane Dr. Paul Leon Katherine Moen Ruby & Roger Schipke Dennis & Arly Schnabel Loren & Lucille Toennies Dan & Susan VanDover Roger & Karen Youngman FRIEND $50-$74 Mary Amacher Ken & Linda Anglin Gary Cutler Donna Davis Ric & Shelly Dias Donald & Vicki Eimers Jim & Beverly Graham Russell & Marilyn Gramlow Phillip & Diana Meany Willis & Martha Mehlhaff Karol Bormes Parsons Carl & Sheryl Perry Lee Edwards Sauer Sharon Stroschein Charlann Suel ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE 3

4 2014 VIP MEMBERS Doris Allbee Mary Amacher Allen & Delores Anderson Richard & Sharlene Anderson Ken & Linda Anglin Tom & Linda Bartholomew Dennis & Linda Batteen Ann Beadle Robert & Judith Beadle Delbert & Judy Bertsch John & Patty Beyers Phyllis Biegler Maxine Biersbach Sarah Birkholz Sandra Black Dwayn & Sheila Blomster Robert & Arlene J. Borchard Tom & Dianne Brenden Loretta Brick Edward & Ruth Brown Mike & Kathy Brumbaugh Stanley Buechler Dwain & Judy Buntrock Gordon & Jeanne Campbell James & Laurie Campbell Mary & Stuart Campbell Ken & Paula Carlson Bill & Jeanie Clark James & Susan Cremer Bruce & Barb Cutler Connie Cutler Dacotah Bank James & Vi Dafnis Dawn Deal Dahl Virginia DeJong Vera Deyo Reed & Tricia Dornbush Michael A. & Rosemary L. Duch Geoff & Cathy Durst Kent & Susan Edson Bill & Karen Edwards Eide Bailly, LLP Doug & Anita Eilers Jeff & Kathy Eisenbeisz Wanda Emery John & Cathy Emmett Sandra Erdahl Layle & Dolores Evans Michael & Barbara Evans Claudia Fast Julie Feiock Ray & Ingrid Fischer John & Margaret Forseth Jim & Helen Gabriel Dee Anne Gall David & Erin Giovannini Great Western Bank Chuck & Wendy Gugel 2013 ACT s Doubt, a Parable Emily Davis as Sister James, Steve Balsarini as Father Flynn and Kelly Comstock as Sister Aloysius Terry & Marcia Haaland Leo & Eleanor Haar Larry & Laura Hadrick Mark & Jeanette Hahler Bill & Pat Haigh Francis & Phyllis Halvorson Sharon Hanna Don & Kathy Harmel Nancy Harrison Mike & Janene Harry Julie Harty Mark & Janice Hedges Jeff Hendricks Michael & Melissa Herman hibü Janet Hilgemann Chuck & Peggy Hogg Maxine Holmes Bev Holsing Marian Holty Tim & Barb Houge James & Barbara Hundstad Larry & Deb Ihde Carol Irion Allan Jacobson Sylvia Jasinski Harvey & Cynthia Jewett Charlene Johnson Jim & Jean Johnson Dennis Kamen Norman L. Keeler James & JoAnn Kokales Todd & Robi Kolden Scott & Kim Kram James & Lynn Kreber Bonnie & Jim Kretchman Earl & LaVonne Kruse Barbara Kuske Karen M. Lane Ray & Cyndy Larson Dee Lauinger Jim & Carol Leach Karl O. Lee Joe & Katie Leon Dr. Paul Leon Sandra Levsen Loren & Linda Locken Jerald & Marlene Loebs Jim & Vicki Lust Toni & Terry Mach Tom & Becky Malchow Noel & Terrie Martens Helen McDermott William & Evelyn McQuillen Cindy Mehlhaff Donna L. & Dean O. Mehlhaff Lavonne Miller Richard & Susan Mitzel Katherine Moen Merle & Janice Mohr Adelaide Mohs Irma Mork Janis Munsen Mark & Lynn Murphy Gail Neill Diana & Gary Nielsen Dave Nikolas Henry & Sharon Nikolas Philip Flip & Evelyn Nikolas Robert & Lyla Nikolas Peggy Marvis Oberle Joe & Sharon Oligmueller Henry & Bernice Oster Jon & Phyllis Oster Mike & Ann Paradise Sharon Paranto Janis Pearson Rick & Ramona Pesek 4 ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE

5 2014 VIP MEMBERS (CONTINUED) Steve & Cec Peters Alice Jean Peterson Kendall & Linda Peterson Muriel Pigors Marlon & Donna Rahm Georgia Ramos Reed & Ann Rasmussen Warren & LeAnne Redmond Tim & Joan Renelt Teresa Rieger Cheryl Robinson Melvin & Julie Roesch Russell & Sheila Rook Elynor Rud Evelyn Rumrey Dennis & Inez Ryan Thomas & Phyllis Saunders Ryan & Kristy Scepaniak Leo & Cathy Schatz June Scher Lu Schiller LaFay & Sharon Schipke Ruby & Roger Schipke Clarence & Gloria Schley Ron & Bernadette Schmidt Dennis & Arly Schnabel Sid & Pat Schroeder John & Carol Schuck Shirley Schuller Donna Seaton Shafer Farms, Inc./ Ken & Dianna Shafer Yevonne Siefken Allen & Karen Siefkes 2013 ACT s Becky s New Car Lori Harmel as Becky Foster and Warren Redmond as Walter Flood Mary & Doug Smeins Gloria Smith James & Jo Sperry Sally & Ka P. Squire 2013 ACT s The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein Orchestra Front (L to R) Jolene Geffre, Michelle Mennis, Amanda Wentz; Middle (L to R) Brandon Sieck, Taylor Johnson; Back (L to R) Mary Marion, Leslie Swanson, Steven Zimoski, Gregg Magera, Justin Kones, Josh Kimball and Jim Panerio Patrick Steele DeWayne Storley Barbara Stutenroth George P. & Sandy Sullivan Jeff & Marcia Sveen Chip & Marian Swanson Doug & Brenda Thompson Duane & Leonora Thurow Virginia Tobin Deb Twiss Roberta J. Van Wagner John & Nancy Vander Hoek Dan & Susan VanDover Dan & Vivian Vetter Kay Vikander Wanda Wagemann Marcia Wagner Vergie Wagner James L. Walker & Jerry Oligmueller Lyle Walker Mary Walker Allen & Joyce Walter Horace & Donna Walter Angie Walth Robert Webb Vince & Gita Webb Wells Fargo Helen Williams Dr. Curt & Sue Wischmeier Ken & Camille Wolff Lawrence & Verneda Wolff Woodman Refrigeration/ John & Ramona Woodman Lavina Wuger ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE 5

6 Troupe America Inc., Executive Producer Curt Wollan Presents THE CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES in A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR BASEMENT FEATURING (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) Jeff March PASTOR Kay Francis...MRS. LARS SNUSTAD (VIVIAN) Nikki Savitt...MRS. GILMER GILMERSON (MAVIS) Carrie SaLoutos MRS. ELROY ENGELSON (KARIN) Kimberly Steffen/Tara Borman BEVERLY SIGNE ENGELSON UNDERSTUDIES (Understudies never substitute for performers unless announced prior to the performance) Tara Borman... BEVERLY SIGNE ENGELSON Dorian Chalmers...MRS. ELROY ENGELSON (KARIN) AND MRS. GILMER GILMERSON (MAVIS) Tim Drake PASTOR Janet Paone...MRS. LARS SNUSTAD (VIVIAN) Inspired by the books of JANET LETNES MARTIN and SUZANN NELSON including the best-seller Growing Up Lutheran Written by GRETA GROSCH Music and Lyrics by DREW JANSEN Exclusive Touring Direction by Art Fegan Entertainment 320 Old Hickory Road, Ste. 408 Nashville, TN (615) / Fax: (615) A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY A celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there! SPECIAL THANKS Pastor Gary Olson and Lakeview Lutheran Church, ARCA Minnesota, Zion Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Lutheran Digest, Joanne Deter who said Curt, you should call those Lutheran Ladies, Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson for their inspiration and stories of Confirmation The operating of cameras or recording devices is strictly prohibited by copyright law. Please turn off anything that will make noise including cellular phones. TOURING STAFF OF TROUPE AMERICA Company Managers LEXIE WOLLAN-SWENSON & CHAD WILLOW Production Stage Manager PATTI LAIRD Technical Director JEFFREY KASDORF Master Electrician DANA KLEIMAN Sound Engineer KAY RICHARDSON Graphic Designer RUBY MCKUSICK Transportation MAYO TOURS, INC Trucking...STAGE CALL CORPORATION General Manager JOHN TSAFOYANNIS Production Managers... SCOTT R. HERBST & TRICIA HOFELD Publicist LINDA TWISS Payroll Services...WELLS FARGO BUSINESS PAYROLL Accounting...BROCKMAN MARCHAN & COMPANY LTD. Legal...FAEGRE, BAKER & DANIELS CREW Costume Design... KATRINA BENEDICT Scenic & Lighting Design SCOTT R. HERBST Sound Design MARK BRODIN Music Director & Arranger DENNIS CURLEY Choreography & Musical Staging WENDY SHORT HAYS Directer...CURT WOLLAN ACT STAFF Artistic/managing director james L. WALKER Technical director BRIAN T. SCHULTZ Technical assistant/spot light operator heidi JENSON Office manager/house manager MARY KEAHEY Administrative assistant/box office manager.. RONDA JO ANDERSON Advance box office KATHLEEN S: KATHY STUCK, CHRISTINE MARTEL, ELEANOR NALL, LINDA WILSON Capitol box office JULI SCHULTZ ACT SPECIAL THANKS Aberdeen Federal Credit Union employees, American News, Mark Anderson, Dakota Broadcasting, Josh Frachiseur, Tina Hanagan, Hansen Video Services/Wayne Hansen, Stacey Hepola, Hub City Radio, Kathleen s, Lucas Keahey, Brenda Lanphere, Brody Morton, Pantorium Cleaners, Pauer Sound & Music/Scott & Renita Sauer, Joyce Pfeiffer, RhodesAnderson Insurance, Austin Vetter Special thanks to MEGAN HOLM for providing the artwork in the Jane West Gallery. JANE WEST (REDMOND) was a lover of all visual and performing arts. Her involvement in the nurture of these was evident in the early efforts to procure the Capitol Theatre building for the Aberdeen Community Theatre. The Jane West Gallery is dedicated to her memory. 6 ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE

7 SCENES & MUSICAL NUMBERS The entire action takes place on October 30, 1960 Reformation Sunday, with flashbacks to Spring, Summer and Fall THANKS TO OUR 2014 SEASON SPONSORS ACT I The Reformation: PART 1 Prelude: Boogie Woogie Bulwark of A Basement...(All) Scene 1: Friday, May 6, 1960: The Confirmation Banquet After I m Confirmed... (Beverly, Vivian, Karin, Mavis) Scene 2: Later that Same Day The Ballad of Mrs. Elroy Engelson...(Pastor and Beverly with Vivian, Mavis, Karin) Scene 3: Sunday, May 8, 1960: Confirmation Sunday Growing Up, Letting Go...(Karin, Beverly) Scene 4: A Saturday in September, 1960: The Wedding Shower Scene 5: Later that Same Day Born to Farm...(Mavis with Beverly, Karin, Pastor) All Heaven Broke Loose...(Pastor with All) ACT II The Reformation: PART 2 Scene 1: October 30, 1960: Reformation Sunday/The Wedding Day An Absolutely Perfect Day...(Karin with All) Sally & Ka P. Squire Scene 2: August, 1960: The County Fair Vivian Snustad: Pickle Queen!...(Vivian) Scene 3: October 30, 1960: Before Church Services Scene 4: After Church Services That s Lutheran Love!... (Vivian, Karin, Mavis) All Heaven Broke Loose Reprise...(Pastor) Scene 5: The Reception Postlude: All Heaven Broke Loose Reprise...(Pastor with All) The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Please turn off watch alarms, pagers and cellular phones or leave them, as well as your seat location, with an usher. The Capitol Theatre is equipped with assistive listening devices. Ask an usher for details or go to the gallery concession counter to get one. Late seating at intermission only. South Dakota Arts Council support is provided with funds from the State of South Dakota, through the Department of Tourism and State Development, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Michael & Barbara Evans Bill & Karen Edwards ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE 7

8 CAST AND CREW NOTES KAY FRANCIS (VIVIAN) has performed professionally in regional theaters for many years and is delighted to join this touring cast of Ladies for this production. Kay has portrayed Vivian for Prather Entertainment Group in Fort Myers, FL, Mesa, AZ, and Lancaster PA; Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, IL, as well as The Old Creamery Theater in Amana, IA. Recent professional work includes Away in the Basement, A Church Basement Ladies Christmas (Vivian), The Gin Game (Fonsia), On Golden Pond (Ethel), Busybody (Marion), The Mousetrap (Mrs. Boyle) for The Old Creamery; A Mighty Fortress is our Basement, Church Basement Ladies IV (Vivian) at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse; Church Basement Ladies and Church Basement Ladies 2 (Vivian), Squabbles (Mildred) Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, Fort Myers, FL; Steel Magnolias (Clairee), Show Palace Dinner Theatre, Hudson, Fl. and Taming of the Shrew (Baptista) Shakespeare in Paradise, Naples, Fl. Other favorite professional roles include: Claire ( Rumors), Miss Tweed (Something s Afoot), Fraulein Schneider (Cabaret), Vera (Mame ) and Esther (Two by Two). When not on the road performing Kay and her stage door Johnny husband of 28 years Bruce make their home in Naples, Florida with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and beloved dogs Max, Bubba and Dixie. Welcome to The Basement and thank you for supporting live theater in America. JEFF MARCH (PASTOR) Jeff is pretty darned happy to finally be donning the collar and joining the Church Basement Ladies in their Fortress! Past Troupe America credits include three national tours of Miracle On 34th Street (Fred Galey) and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? at The Plymouth Playhouse in Minneapolis. Other favorite regional credits include Annie (Oliver Warbucks, Derby Dinner Playhouse), The Fantasticks (El Gallo, Old Schoolhouse Theatre), The Buddy Holly Story (The Big Bopper, Broadway Palm DT) and She Loves Me (Georg Nowack, The Mac-Haydn Theatre). Jeff is a native of Wayne, NE and grew up spending his summers on Lake Okoboji, IA - two towns that remain close to his heart and places he loves to visit every chance he gets. His hometown was struck by a mile-and-a-half-wide tornado this past October 5. He was amazed at how resilient and effortlessly everyone brushed off the dust and rebuilt Wayne, America - because it s just what you do. It is with great love and admiration to everyone back home that he dedicates this performance. To all of these Ladies and Gents both past and present who ve helped shape our community and the character of those of us fortunate to have grown-up there Thank You. CARRIE SALOUTOS (KARIN) Carrie is very excited to be back on the road with the Church Basement Ladies after playing Karin in Troupe America s Tours: Away In the Basement (2011 and 2012) and A Second Helping: Church Basement Ladies 2 (2013). She was very proud to be a part of the Regional Premiere of A Mighty Fortress Is Our Basement at Circa 21 with these ladies too. Carrie returns via Las Vegas where she regularly appears in Marriage Can Be Murder and has performed in productions of Nunsense (Las Vegas Hilton), Ba-Da-Bing, The Soprano s Last Supper, and Reflections of the Rat Pack. Other credits include appearing in HATS! The Musical at Harrah s in New Orleans, The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and the Plaza Theatre in Orlando. Carrie has performed on several World Cruise Lines and at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan. Along with the Church Basement Ladies, National Tour credits include The Wizard of Oz (US and Korean Tours), Beauty & The Beast and Singin In The Rain. Carrie has co-starred with Steve Gatlin in several production shows in Myrtle Beach, SC. Favorite theatre roles include Steel Magnolia s (M Lynn), Bingo: The Winning Musical (Honey), Nuncrackers (Sister Robert Anne) and Lucy in Lucy, I m Dead with Faces and Places Alive in PA, Sheree in Dixie Swim Club, Carrie Innes in Ed Dixon s Whodunnit The Musical, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense I & II, and Sue Ellen in Honkey Tonk Angels (Ted Swindley, Playwright/Director). NIKKI SAVITT (MAVIS) After three consecutive tours of Away in the Basement, and last year s adventurous CBL 2 tour, Nikki is beyond delighted to climb aboard the bus once again with her extended CBL family. She has also had many terra firma experiences as Mavis including seven productions of the original CBL and three other productions of CBL 2. Other favorite credits include Oklahoma! (Aunt Eller), Dixie Swim Club (Jeri Neal), Harvey (Veta), Rumors (Cookie), Nunsense (Rev. Mother), and Music Man (Eulalie). As always, thank you Curt and Drew! I love you Sherri, miss you Renee, Grammy, and Daddy. Please visit TARA BORMAN (BEVERLY) is thrilled to revisit A Mighty Fortress... on the road! Tara has been amongst the original cast of Church Basement Ladies at the Plymouth playhouse since She has played Beverly over 2000 times in all 5 productions--including The Last Potluck Supper, which is currently playing at the playhouse until late June of this year! Other credits include: Fair Game, Circle Mirror Transformation and Our Town with Yellow Tree Theatre; Hair with 7th House Theatre Collective; Steel Magnolias (Shelby) at Bloomington Civic Theatre; and Big River (Mary Jane) at Minneapolis Musical Theatre. GRETA GROSCH (PLAYWRIGHT) Since 1989 Greta has worked as a freelance writer and performer across the country and has a wealth of experience in both commercial and business theater. An original cast member of Church Basement Ladies, Greta originated the role of Mavis and wrote the script for Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping and Away in the Basement, A Church Basement Ladies Christmas and The Last (Potluck) Supper. A graduate of Mankato State, she bought her first guitar in the 90s and began writing comic songs. This led to a season at Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop and a love of sketch comedy. She continues to write and perform original material with a variety of groups, and her company, Girl With Guitar, provides educational and entertaining programming, ranging from training seminars to company parties for organizations across the country. gretagrosch.com. Additionally, Greta is the head writer for The Medora Musical in Medora, ND, is a voice over and commercial artist and is a founding member of the Looney Lutherans, thelooneylutherans.com. She wishes to extend a huge thank you to her co-workers for their contributions and support, to Curt for this opportunity and to Janet and Suzann... what a trip! Greta dedicates this show to her Norwegian sister-in-law, Lise, who was Born to Farm. DREW JANSEN (COMPOSER, LYRICIST) A native of Little Rock now residing in Minneapolis, Jansen is in the midst of a multi-faceted career as a performer, writer and composer. In addition to creating the scores for Troupe America s mega-hits Church Basement Ladies and How To Talk Minnesotan The Musical and the History Theatre s The Gangster Musical and A Servants Christmas, he is also one of the busier voice-over actors in the Twin Cities. His baritone may have prodded you to purchase anything from HOM furniture to Ordway Center tickets to Andersen Windows.You may also remember him as the emcee in those quirky Minnesota Millionaire Raffle television commercials, or as the just-a-little-bit-too-perky husband in the longrunning Patio Town commercial. Also on the small screen, Jansen enjoyed a two season run as Ernie, the unctuous announcer and musical commentator on Comedy Central s cult classic, Let s Bowl. Drew was a contributing writer for television s Mystery Science Theater 3000 and has created text for numerous greeting cards, t-shirts, coffee mugs and syndicated comic strips. An accomplished pianist, he has had the honor of accompanying such legends as Celeste Holm and Carmel Quinn, 2013 ACT ACTie Award Winners Front (L to R) Paige Walth, Techie of the Year; Susie Ewinger, Donald H. Hall Lifetime Achievement Award. Back (L to R) Christopher Rinkenberger, Newcomer of the Year; Marilyn Davis, Ten-Yeared Techie; Kati Bachmayer, Volunteer of the Year 8 ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE

9 CAST AND CREW NOTES Liebowitz Sisters and her original choreography for Pump Boys and Dinettes has been produced locally, on National tour and for an extended run at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Wendy is the Artistic Director of VISTA Productions which was chosen to represent Minnesota at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her work has also been seen on the stage of The Medora Musical, Hey City Stage, History Theatre and numerous national tours. Her directing credits include West Side Story, Wings, Children of Eden, Lost In Yonkers, Into The Woods, A Christmas Carol and Beehive YPT s Once Upon a Hootenanny Front (L to R) Emily Geffre as Rapunzel, Sydney Morton as Cinderella Back (L to R) Sydney Kost as Snow White, Eric Jacobsen as Riff, Katrina Marnette as Wicked Witch of the West and Michael Garofalo as Raff and recently manned the keyboards in Las Vegas for Greg Proops and Chip Esten s Whose Line Is It Anyway? Drew is a proud graduate of Saint John s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and continued his education at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. CURT WOLLAN (PRODUCER/DIRECTOR) is the President and Executive Producer-Director for Troupe America, Inc. He has directed many National Tours including The Odd Couple starring M*A*S*H s Jamie Farr and William Christopher, the National Tour of Moon Over Buffalo starring Gavin MacLeod, the National Tour of The Sunshine Boys starring Dick Van Patten and Frank Gorshin and Same Time, Next Year starring Mackenzie Philips and Adrian Zmed. At Nashville s Ryman Auditorium, he directed Cottonpatch Gospel starring WKRP in Cincinnati s Gary Sandy. In the last four years, Curt has directed twenty five productions of various Church Basement Ladies, two starring M*A*S*H s William Christopher as the Pastor and one starring Barry Williams of The Brady Bunch. Curt has been based at the Plymouth Playhouse since 1979, and has directed most of its productions, notably the musical comedies Church Basement Ladies, Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping, Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas,The Last (Potluck) Supper,How To Talk Minnesotan The Musical, I Love You, You re Perfect, Now Change, Diamond Studs which won the Twin Cities Kudos Award for Best Direction, Best Choreography and Best Musical, and the recent Playhouse hit musical that also toured the country last season, Ring of Fire: The Life and Music of Johnny Cash. Each summer Curt produces and directs The Medora Musical in the beautiful North Dakota Badlands and each Holiday Season, he directs for Dollywood in Tennessee most recently directing Dolly Parton in A Christmas Carol, where she appears as a hologram ghost. Curt dedicates this show to the memory of his mother, Lorraine, who s church kitchen legacy serves as an inspiration for his work on this production. curtwollan.com. DENNIS CURLEY (ARRANGER, MUSIC DIRECTOR) is a native of Syracuse, NY, and a graduate of Northwestern University (Evanston, IL). He composed music for Vampires! Horror!, Love After Hours, Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping, U Betcha: The Making of a Minnesota Boy Band, Pride and Plot of Pointlessness, and Whistling Past the Graveyard. Dennis is the arranger of Schoolhouse Rock Live! and Schoolhouse Rock Live Too! (both published by MTI). In the Twin Cities he recently performed in Power Balladz (Lab Theatre), Hot n Cole and My Way (Ordway Center), Mrs. Man of God, Orphan Train (History Theatre), Christmas Carole Petersen (Theatre Latte Da), Warm Beer Cold Women (Guthrie Theater), and Steerage Song (Fitgerald Theater). Dennis is a co-founder and executive producer of Table Salt Productions. TableSaltProductions.com. WENDY SHORT HAYS (CHOREOGRAPHER AND MUSICAL STAGING) has been connected with Troupe America for over thirty years. She created the choreography for the original production of Church Basement Ladies as well as subsequent tours and productions. She has choreographed such favorites as Nunsense, Pump Boys and Dinettes and Diamond Studs for which she earned the Twin Cities Drama Critic Award for Best Choreography. She was on the writing team for The Lovely SCOTT R. HERBST (SCENIC AND LIGHTING DESIGN) Scott has been working professionally in the Twin Cities since graduating from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre. His work is predominately in the Musical Theatre genre of the industry as a Lighting Designer and Stage Manager for many shows. His work with Troupe America has taken him around the country on many National tours and he has had the pleasure of working with actors like Jamie Farr and William Christopher of M*A*S*H fame, and Gavin MacLeod of Mary Tyler Moore show and the Love Boat. In addition, Scott has served as part of a team of Production Managers for Zoom 7 handling various venues for the Mary Kay Career Conference. As well as his work at the Plymouth Playhouse, Scott enjoys gardening and remodeling his house with his wife Mary and their two college age children. KATRINA BENEDICT (COSTUME DESIGNER) is thrilled to be a part of A Mighty Fortress Is Our Basement having designed for Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping and Away in the Basement based on the writing of Suzann Nelson and Katrina s mother Janet Letnes Martin. She works as a freelance costume designer and draper at various theaters in the Twin Cities area including the Guthrie. Her most recent designs include Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas, Kirby! for the History Theater, Sherlock s Last Case for Minnesota Centennial Showboat and various productions at Normandale Community College. MARK BRODIN (SOUND DESIGNER) Mark designs and mixes sound for live theater, churches, recording artists and corporate events. With 20 years experience, you may have heard his work at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Minneapolis, The Medora Musical or on TV and radio. Mark won a regional Emmy Award for his documentary Delafield. JANET LETNES MARTIN (CO-AUTHOR OF GROWING UP LUTHERAN) Janet Letnes Martin grew up in Hillsboro, ND, where the words Norwegian and Lutheran were synonymous. She graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN and married Neil Martin, a 100 percent Scandinavian-Lutheran man from Newfolden, MN. Janet starting writing books about her Norwegian/rural/Lutheran heritage in She has authored three books, and co-authored three books with Allen Todnem, one with her sister, Ilene, one with David W. Cook, and nine with her college friend, Suzann Nelson. Janet and Suzann s best-selling book, Growing Up Lutheran, What does this Mean? won the Minnesota Book Award for Humor, and is the inspiration for all four Church Basement Ladies musical comedies. Janet lives in Hastings, MN, and works with her daughter, Jennifer Green in her mail order online store, scandinavianmarket.com. Her daughter, Sarah is the national representative for the Norwegian Fjord Flatware Company, and daughter, Katrina Benedict is the costumer of this musical. Grandchildren: Sophia, Ariana and Myana Green, Nora, Frida, and Martin Benedict, are the love of her life. She dedicates her contribution to this play to her late husband, Neil. Contact her at lutheranladies@aol.com SUZANN NELSON (CO-AUTHOR OF GROWING UP LUTHERAN) Suzann could put ditto under Janet s bio. Their books and performances as the humorous duo, Those Lutheran Ladies, draw upon life experiences growing up as hardworking, church-attending, 100 percent Norwegian-Lutheran farm girls. This is the nucleus of the heartwarming Church Basement Ladies musicals. Nelson began life as a Johnson near the Kensington Runestone, attended school in Evansville, MN, boarded a train for Augsburg College in Minneapolis, and met Ron (a ND farm boy). With a Scandinavian Studies diploma in one hand, a wedding ring on the other, a varietypack life followed: attending Universities in MN and Oslo, directing a language camp and writing curricula. Changing from jeans into three-piece suits, she dabbled in government, wrote public policy reports and struggled to put on pantyhose. In time, humidity and hot flashes prompted her to team up with Janet for her next act. By then, Suzann, Ron, and daughters Senja and Siri, lived in Grand Rapids, MN. Now a widow and online bookstore owner, ruralroutebookstore.com, she spends nights pondering her mortgage, and days looking for misplaced things and laughing with four grandkids. ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE 9

10 CAST AND CREW NOTES TROUPE AMERICA, INC. (PRODUCER) has been touring theatrical productions from coast to coast and in Canada since 1987 under Executive Director/Producer Curt Wollan. Past Troupe America tours include six seasons of Mr. Pickwick s Christmas, two seasons of Dylan Thomas A Childs Christmas In Wales, five tours of Pump Boys and Dinettes, two tours of Stephen King s Ghost Stories, three tours of the stage version of the Emmy Award-winning TV series Schoolhouse Rock, Live!, a co-production of The Gifts of the Magi with the Lamb s Theater Company of New York and tours of On Golden Pond, Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias and Forbidden Broadway with Big League Theatricals of New York. Troupe America also operates the popular Plymouth Playhouse in the Twin Cities area, having produced a four-year run of Nunsense, a four-year run of Pump Boys and Dinettes, and critically acclaimed productions of Diamond Studs, A Day In Hollywood A Night In The Ukraine, Little Shop of Horrors, The Lovely Liebowitz Sisters, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, An Evening with Groucho starring Frank Ferrante, an eight-year run of a new musical based on Howard Mohr s best-selling book How To Talk Minnesotan titled How To Talk Minnesotan The Musical, the off-broadway success I Love You, You re Perfect, Now Change, and five new musicals based on the best-selling book Growing Up Lutheran titled Church Basement Ladies and its sequels Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping!, Away In The Basement, A Mighty Fortress (Is Our Basement) and The Last (Potluck) Supper which will tour in In 1997, Troupe America produced a highly acclaimed national tour of The Odd Couple starring M*A*S*H s Jamie Farr and William Christopher and in , the national tour of Moon Over Buffalo starring Gavin MacLeod. In 1999/2000, Troupe America produced Hank Williams, Lost Highway starring Jason Petty, and in 2001/2002 produced and toured the national tours of The Sunshine Boys starring Dick Van Patten and Frank Gorshin and Same Time, Next Year starring Mackenzie Phillips and Adrian Zmed saw a highly successful National tour of Ring of Fire, The Life and Music of Johnny Cash and plans are underway for a National Tour of Love, Loss and What I Wore by Nora and Delia Ephron ACTie Business of the Year Harr Motors YOUNG PEOPLE S THEATRE CONTRIBUTING SUPPORT Building Character & Confidence, One Child at a Time Do you have or know a child who is a class clown or always putting on a play? Contact YPT at (605) or act@ nvc.net to have that child s name added to our mailing list and get him or her involved in our fun, educational theater activities. ADD YOUR NAME TO THIS LIST BY BECOMING A YPT SUPPORTER YPT s Edgar and Ellen: Bad Seeds! Front (L to R) Isaac Seaton as Edgar, Madison Ivy as Ellen; Back (L to R) Garytt Tostenson as Sir Malvolio, Jacob Womack as Sir Horatio SPONSOR - $1,000 & ABOVE Aberdeen Federal Credit Union Aberdeen Optimist Club American News Dacotah Bank Michael A. & Rosemary L. Duch Michael & Barbara Evans hibü Kathleen s South Dakota Arts Council Sally & Ka P. Squire Target 3M DIRECTOR $500 - $999 Tom & Danielle Aman Foundation CO-STAR $240 - $499 Pauer Sound & Music/ Scott & Renita Sauer Safety Service, Inc./ Jeff & Michelle Walth LEADING ACTOR - $120 - $239 Dawn Deal Dahl Vera Deyo Jeff Hendricks SUPPORTING ACTOR - $60 - $119 Karl & Doris Graeber Hansen Video Services/ Wayne Hansen Kessler s George P. & Sandy Sullivan Larry & Margaret Wild CHORUS $30 - $59 Jamal & Omar Elkhader Bob & Evelyn Pond 10 ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE

11 THEATRE INFORMATION P.O. Box 813, 417 S. Main Street, Aberdeen, SD PHONE (605) FAX (605) WEBSITE AberdeenCommunityTheatre.com CapitolCinema.net Aberdeen Community Theatre (ACT) is a not-for-profit community theater serving the greater Aberdeen area. It is a member of the Aberdeen Area Arts Council, South Dakotans for the Arts, Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, American Association of Community Theatre. BOX OFFICE ACT s box office prior to a show s opening is Kathleen s, 401 S. Main St. Typical hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in person at Kathleen s or by mail to ACT. The Capitol box office is also open one hour prior to performances. Tickets can also be purchased online at AberdeenCommunityTheatre.com. PERFORMANCES ACT maintains a firm policy of not canceling any performance due to weather. We urge all ticket holders to make every effort to attend. In the event that travel proves impossible at performance time, ticket holders may inquire at ACT s office the next business day. ACT will make alternative arrangements, excluding refund, when possible. ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair seating arrangements should be made by informing ACT at the time of ticket purchase. ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES The Capitol Theatre is equipped with assistive listening devices. Ask an usher for details or go to the Jane West Gallery to check one out. You will need a driver s license or credit card to leave as a deposit. Devices must be returned immediately after the show. EXITS Please familiarize yourself with all emergency routes and exits closest to you. VOLUNTEERING ACT welcomes all volunteers. Your involvement in set construction, costume making, ushering or fund raising projects will mean a great deal to us and can be fun and rewarding for you. If you can hammer, sew, paint, saw, embroider, type, glue, help gather props or enjoy working with kids, please volunteer now. GROUP RATES Special rates are offered for groups of 12 or more at time of ticket purchase for all shows. TOURS To schedule a Capitol Theatre and behind-the-scenes tour for your group, please call at least two weeks prior to requested date. ACT IMPROV TROUPE Join the fun with the troupe on stage or at your event. Seen at Glacial Lakes Regional or Brown County Fair Chili Cook-off, 3M Employee Recognition Dinner, Avera St. Luke s Heart Health Dinner, Wyndham International Christmas Party and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. For more information about performing with or booking ACT s Improv Troupe, contact us at (605) or act@nvc.net. FILM PROGRAM Capitol Cinema shows a wide variety of films in the Capitol Theatre between ACT s live theater rehearsals and performances. To be placed on the Capitol Cinema mailing list, contact us at (605) or CapitolCinema@nvc.net. Having your address only on ACT s mailing list doesn t guarantee you will receive information on all Cinema activities. ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE 11

12 THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES IN A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR BASEMENT 2014 ACT FOUR SHOW SUBSCRIPTION NAME BUSINESS ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP PHONE # With an ACT subscription, I can get my tickets before the public at no additional cost to me. VIP SUBSCRIBERS (RESERVED SEATS) ONLY I would like to purchase my ACT VIP subscription. I understand I will be mailed the same seat for each of the four remaining 2014 ACT main stage productions. Please send VIP season tickets at $96 ea. = $ NOTE: Only VIP Subscribers will be listed in ACT s program. Please send our VIP tickets and we will reserve our seats at the box office for each production. Please call so I can select a seat location/performance. TOTAL ENCLOSED FOR VIP SUBSCRIPTION $ FLEX SUBSCRIBERS ONLY I would like to purchase my ACT Flex subscription. I understand I will be mailed a subscriber card with a Patron ID to be presented at the box office to reserve five show tickets in any combination I choose for any of the four remaining 2014 ACT main stage productions. Please send Flex season tickets at $90 ea. $ TOTAL ENCLOSED FOR FLEX SUBSCRIPTION $ INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIBERS ONLY I would like to purchase an ACT Individual subscription. I understand I will be mailed a subscriber card with a Patron ID to be presented at the box office to reserve show tickets - one for each of the four remaining 2014 ACT main stage productions. Please send Individual season tickets at $72 ea. = $ TOTAL ENCLOSED FOR INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIPTION $ Please charge $ to my credit card to pay for the season subscription(s). Visa Master Card Discover Please write clearly. Expiration date / Card number Signature CLIP AND MAIL TO ACT, PO BOX 813, ABERDEEN, SD ACT s upcoming productions include God of Carnage in June, Little Shop of Horrors in August and Irving Berlin s White Christmas: The Musical in November. ACT is currently securing performance rights for its fall production. IT S TIME TO GET YOUR ACT SEASON SUBSCRIPTION! Your subscription ensures that ACT can continue performing entertaining shows like 2013 s The Top Job!, Doubt: A Parable, Mel Brooks Young Frankenstein and Becky s New Car; and also allows us to bring touring productions like today s Troupe America Inc. s Church Basement Ladies: A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement. LIMITED TIME OFFER GET YOUR ABERDEEN COMMUNITY THEATRE FOUR SHOW 2014 SUBSCRIPTION NOW. This offer is open UNTIL MAY 30, REMEMBER, AS A SUBSCRIBER: You are first to know what is happening. Subscribers get advance notice of ACT events through ACT s monthly newsletter, the ACT Marquee, and by - making subscribers the first to know. VIP subscribers will be mailed the same ticket for each performance. Subscribers choose their seating. Please contact the ACT office if you would like to change your VIP seating for the 2014 season. Box office opens five days prior to the public for subscribers Individual and Flex subscribers can reserve seats five days prior to the public by exchanging their coupons at the box office. You can buy additional tickets in advance for family and friends. Subscribers may purchase additional tickets five days before the box office opens to the public. You automatically have ticket insurance. We will replace lost subscription cards and tickets for ACT subscribers. You get the lowest price on all ACT productions. Subscribers never pay full price for any ACT event. You are essential in supporting ACT and its programming. Your subscription supports YOUR LOCAL, national award winning and internationally recognized community theater.