1978-79
SEASON
In this, the opening season of the St. Paul History Theatre, the organization developed the plays while rehearsing and costuming the cast, then performing them wherever space was available. Often, they would perform once in a church basement, then perform in a completely different location the next evening. The principal founder of the group, Lynnelle Lohr, was then working for St. Paul’s Community Programs in the Arts office. That office, otherwise known as COMPAS, was the “umbrella” group that got this new, non-profit theatre group on its feet; there was no board of directors. In its first season, St. Paul History Theatre sold 91 percent of available tickets.
HISTORY THEATRE STAFF
Director of Programs, Community Programs for the Arts (COMPAS) – Lynnell Lohr
Playwright in Residence – Lance S. Belville
Producer, COMPAS – Kate Houston
Executive Director, COMPAS – Molly LaBerge
Deadly Decades (World Premiere)
November 30-December 10, 1978
By Lance S. Belville
This one-act play is an investigation into the manners and morals of Prohibition America as seen through the eyes and experiences of the men and women who spent at least part of their lives in and around the then-Federal Courthouse, now the Landmark Center, in St. Paul. The play was performed in a former courtroom at the Landmark Center.
Cast
Martin – Louis Linder II
Abe – Bill Boughton
Bob – John Detjen
Doreen – Carlotta Schoch
Claire – Kathliin Maree-Hinkle
Artistic Staff
Executive Producer – Lynn Lohr
Producer (COMPAS) – Kate Houston
Director – Nancy E. Anderson
Resident Playwright – Lance S. Belville
Technical Assistance – Judy Gravel
Sound – Russell Borud
Publicity – D’Arlyn Marks, Tom Witt, Kate Houston
Photography & Design – David Aronow
Executive Director (COMPAS) – Molly LaBerge
This production was developed with the cooperation of COMPAS
(Community Programs in the Arts)
You Can’t Get to Heaven Through the USA
(WorldPremiere)
March 15-April 1, 1979
By Lance S. Belville
A humorous play based on the journals of Swedish and Italian immigrants, who wrote about life, ethnic rivalry and intolerance in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood on the east side of St. Paul.
The five performances of this production occurred at the locations and times listed below:
March 15: Merrick Community Center, 715 Edgerton St. 8 pm
March 18: St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 711 Bradley St. 7 pm
March 25: Arlington Hills Lutheran Church, 1115 Greenbrier 8 pm
March 30: Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St. 8 pm
April 1: Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, 1669 Arcade 7 pm
Cast
Bjorn – Winfield Scott Hobbs
Ingrid – Margaret Chase
Italian priest – Spencer Beckwith
Geno – Ted King
Nicola – Lynnell Lohr
Artistic Staff
Artistic Director – Lynn Lohr
Producer – Kate Houston
Director – Glenn Cox
This show was produced in cooperation with COMPAS
(Community Programs in the Arts)
We Win or Bust (World Premiere)
May 25-June 9, 1979
By Lance S. Belville
This story is told from the perspective of workers in St. Paul who participated in the 1922 national railroad strike. The play was performed at Washington High School, Merrick Community Center and Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church.
Cast
Rudolph Henning – Tom Nordgren
Marvyl – Paula Lenski
Ralph Budd – Mac Harris
Martin Burke – Erich Schell
Manda Broten – Sara Jane Olson
Otto Krumbacher – Stephen Roser
Doris Krumbacher – Patricia Mastro
C.O. Jenks – Gordon Cronce
Artistic Staff
Producer – Kate Houston
Director – Scott M. Rubsam
Set Designer & Technical Director – Glen S. Bjornson
Costumer – Eileen Johnson
Lighting/Sound Operators – John Becker, Stephen Seidel
Set Painters – Glen S. Bjornstrom, Bob Baldwin
Sound Recording – Russell Borud
Publicity – D’Arlen Marks
Photography – Bonnie Rutten
Cover Design – Gaylord Schanilec
Photo Display – Steve Davis
Produced in cooperation with Community Programs in the Arts (COMPAS).
Paula Lenski & Tom Nordgren
