Each tax-deductible sponsorship pays for one orphan’s share of the cost of royalties, music, scripts, costumes, props, special effects, sound, lights, sets, and even programs.  Click here for more information about “Sponsor an Orphan.”

In addition, Lyric Arts is donating 17 cents to Feed My Starving Children’s Haiti Relief Effort for every ticket purchased to Oliver!, the cost of one meal for a child.  So far, Lyric Arts donation has reached $478.38, or 2,814 meals for children in Haiti.

Oliver! continues through March 21!  Buy your tickets today!

Thank you for all who auditioned!

Our next auditions are:

Father of the Bride
Tuesday, March 23, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 24, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Thank you to Tim Carlquist for producing the video.

Make sure to mark your calendars for this audition!

See you at auditions!

Opening night this past Friday was a success!  Thank you to everyone who came to any performance during opening weekend.  Here are some of the comments we’ve heard so far:

“Such amazing talent!  I’ll be returning and bringing more people.” – Opening Weekend guest from Maple Grove.

“The orchestra was so fantastic, that I thought they were recorded instead of live!” – Opening Weekend guest from Andover.

“Really enjoyed the performance tonight! Lots of fun… thought the interaction with the audience after intermission was cool idea.” – Larry Luffell

“The opening night of Oliver! was brilliant, praise for some of the difficult scenes that [director] Robert [Neu] tackled with ease, exceptional.

Character Mr. Bumble, Jonathan Peterson, is something I will never forget, completely incredible delivery, he is a skilled professional that left all of us giddy in our chairs and still talking about him today. This show is anchored by some of the Twin Cities true thespian spirit, some who also know that any production under Robert Neu is worth the drive to be in a play he is directing. Perfectly cast!

There are many more standouts in this production but you have to go and see, once you walk into the theatre you know you have just stepped through a threshold of awe inspiring spirit and the ride you are about to have will be wonderful.

To all the Brilliant actors and behind the scenes production, we thank you for an unforgettable evening! Over the Moon!” - Jill Novotne

If you happened to see it this past weekend, let us know what you thought!

Jack’s magic beans have vanished, Cinderella’s slipper has disappeared, and the Three Bears’ porridge has gone missing! Time to call in Nick Tickle, Fairy Tale Detective!

Join in the fun as Nick navigates the caper of a lifetime, complete with tantalizing twists, crazy characters, hilarious hi-jinx, and a surprise ending that will shock even the most seasoned of sleuths.

Nick depends upon his audience of junior detectives to point out clues, deliver messages, and even watch his back when things get a little rough. Sure to entertain the young and the young-at-heart!

This week has been rewarding, tiring and filled with hard work.  We’ve gone until 10:00 every night – which isn’t easy for the younger ones – and our crack technical and artistic staff then meet until about midnight and we all give our notes for the next day.  This is everything from changing a light cue to making a costume adjustment to deciding to use a different prop.  One of the many things I love about Lyric Arts is that they actually give you enough stage time to be able to consider and make these changes.  Things look VERY different in the rehearsal room - and I’ve worked some places where we didn’t get the stage until two or three days before opening.  That’s crazy-making for everyone – so THANK YOU, Lyric Arts!

And speaking of Lyric Arts – I’ve already talked about the great designers, and the wonderful cast – let’s talk a bit about our producers:  Lyric Arts.  I really, really like this theater – I like the building, I like Anoka, and most importantly, I like the people that run the company.  They are incredibly hard-working, nice, funny, deeply caring, so smart they scare me, and they are devoted – DEVOTED – to creating quality theater and to theater education.  I like that mission – a lot.  I can think of few things more fulfilling than seeing a young person gain confidence and discipline by doing a show.  Or working with an adult who knows (s)he wants to be on stage but hasn’t had much opportunity – and seeing that person blossom as he realizes he has talent.   The experience of witnessing that life-changing (and I don’t use that word lightly) transformation has choked me up more than once.  Theater can do that, people!  That’s why YOU need to support Lyric Arts – come to their shows and give them a donation.  They’re maybe not going to solve the world’s problems, but trust me, they are touching people’s lives and making a difference.  Yeah!

OK – over and out – I need to go and WRITE A CHECK to Lyric Arts.  Hoping you do the same!

BN