1993-94

1993-94

SEASON

At the beginning of this season, printed in the program of the first production, audiences read the announcement that Lynn Lohr, the “genesis point” of the organization and its leader for 15 years, was leaving the Twin Cities for a job in San Francisco. Written by Lance Belville, this is what audience members read:

It was fall, 15 seasons ago that it all began under Lynn Lohr’s superb leadership. The History Theatre was born and developed out of the power of her dreams and her commitment to her artistic principles and her social convictions. All of us were attracted to it by the force of her ideas and the glitter of her creativity. Eighty-seven productions later – 57 of them world premieres and 13 area or North American premieres – that leadership comes to a close with tonight’s performance. Lynn leaves us tonight to put her great spirit, boundless inventiveness and deep commitment at the service of MOTHER JONES MAGAZINE in San Francisco. It is a periodical which probes and analyzes American political and economic life and ideas, something Lynn has been doing at the History Theatre since the very beginning. We will feel the lack of her energy even as we continue on the path we have followed with her in joy and glory and tears for fifteen years.

Lynn loves the ghosts of our city and she helped us all to love them, too. We will miss her terribly and this, our – her – 16th season of the Great American History Theatre, is dedicated to her.

STAFF
Producer & Co-Artistic Director – Lynn Lohr
Co-Artistic Director & Playwright in Residence – Lance S. Belville
General Manager & Tour Director – Thomas H. Berger
Assistant to General Manager – Gina Aker
Education/Group Sales Director – Carole Marget
Box Office/Administrative & Marketing Assistant – Colleen Casey
House Manager & Box Office Assistant – Michelle Domeier
House Manager & Box Office Assistant – Anthony Campbell
House Manager & Box Office Assistant – Rebecca Heroff
House Manager and Box Office Assistant – Tim Smith

Assassins
October 9-24, 1993
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by John Weidman
Based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr.

Assassins is a darkly humorous musical review that depicts nine men and women who attempted to assassinate American presidents; four of them succeeded in reaching that goal.

Cast
Barker – Russ Konstans
Leon Czolgosz – Paul LaBissoniere
John Hinckley – Scott Cooke
Charles Guiteau – Clark A. Cruikshank
Giuseppe Zangara – Jeffrey Kogle
Samuel Byck – Jeff Hartig
Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme – Ahna Brandvik
Sara Jane Moore – Jan Lee
John Wilkes Booth – Bob Beverage
Emma Goldman – Corey deDanann
Lee Harvey Oswald – Joe Babay
Billy Moore – Bill Lloyd
Understudies – Brent Berheim, Christine Wagner

L-R: Scott Cooke, Joey Babay, Jeff Hartig, Ahna Brandvik, Bob Beverage

Musical Numbers
Opening – Barker, Czolgosz, Guiteau, Hinckley, Zangara, Fromme, Moore, Byck, Booth
The Ballad of Booth – Barker, Booth
How I Saved Roosevelt – Bystanders, Zangara, Photographer
The Gun Song – Czolgosz, Booth, Guiteau, Moore
Unworthy of Your Love – Hinckley, Fromme
The Ballad of Guiteau – Guiteau, Barker
Another National Anthem – Czolgosz, Booth, Hinckley, Fromme, Zangara, Guiteau, Moore, Byck, Barker
Everybody’s Got The Right – Assassins

Musicians
Percussion – Paul Babcock
Bass – Ross Martin
Piano/Keyboards – Andrea Theisen

Production Staff
Director – Ron Peluso
Musical Director – Andrea Theisen
Musical Staging – Joey Babay
Stage Manager – Diane Wessels
Scene and Lighting Design – Nayna Ramey
Costume Design – Matthew LeFebvre
Literary Assistant – Kathleen Melenyzer
Assistant Stage Manager – Danette Corbitt
Props – Rose Holmes, Paul A. Strelbicki
Sound Designer/Board Operator – Ryan Julien
Sound Consultant – Richard Grossman
Carpentry – Sari Miller, Studiocrafts, Inc., Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Greg Cornell, Chris Johnson, Luther Salveson, Scott Thun, Trevor Vasey, Karen Mulhausen, Don Lane, Rod Aird
Scenic Artists – Kimberly L. Lawler, Rebecca Heroff, Ellen Long
Master Electrician – Rose Holmes
Electricians – Eric Peterson, Rebecca Heroff
Light Board Operators – David Allan Skoog, Bill Poseley
Follow Spot Operators – Rose Holmes, Liz Olds, Casey Warpeha, Shawn Larson, Linda Maylish, Sivie Suckerman

Everlasting Arms (World Premiere)
November 28-December 24, 1993
(in repertory with PK XMAS)
Adapted for the stage by Gregory Alan Williams

Everlasting Arms is Evelyn Fairbanks’ prequel to her book, Days of Rondo, which History Theatre produced in April of 1993. Gregory Alan Williams adapted both books for the stage. The play examines the dreams of Rondo residents during the 1930s and relates those dreams to the birth of Christ 1900 years earlier.

Cast
Mr. Edwards – Weymuth Allen Bowen, Jr.
Mama – Stephanie Lusco
Young Evelyn – Naima Taaj Ajmal Brown
Sister Wilson – Brenda Bell Brown
Sister Hampton – Fawn Wilderson
Florence – Tonia Jackson
Understudies – Donahue Hayes, Khandi Simone

Production Staff
Director – Brian Grandison
Stage Manager – Wayne Hendricks
Scene and Lighting Design – Chris Johnson
Costume Design – Tony Gorski
Technical Director – Royce B. Jackson
Properties Design – David Allan Skoog
Sound Design – Ryan Julien
Sound Board Operator – David Allan Skoog
Carpenter – Royce B. Jackson
Scenic Artist – Kimberly L. Lawler
Electricians – Rose Holmes, Royce B. Jackson, Jerry Neppl, David Allan Skoog
Light Board Operator – Rose Holmes

Vocals arranged and recorded by Billy Steele and Patricia Lacy

Hauptmann
January 22-February 20, 1994
(in repertory with Some Things That Can Go Wrong At 35,000 Ft.)
By John Logan

The imprisoned kidnapper of an American hero’s infant child awaits execution as the American press initiates saturation reporting, which vilifies him. The play is set in Richard Hauptmann’s prison cell on death row, April 3, 1936. The staging of this play evolved out of a company collaboration.

Cast
Bruno Richard Hauptmann – Grant Richey
Guard 1: Charles Lindbergh – Stephen D’Ambrose
Guard 2: Anne Lindbergh – Megan Grundy
Guard 3: Anna Hauptmann – Shirley Venard
Guard 4: Prosecuting Attorney Wilentz – Larry Connolly
Guard 5: Dr. Condon – Don Cosgrove
Understudies – Gigi Jensen, Jonathan Brent Way

L-R: Larry Connolly, Don Cosgrove, Grant Richey

Production Staff
Director – Stephen DiMenna
Production Stage Manager – April J. Watkins
Stage Manager – Kim Vogelsang
Scene Design – Thomas H. Berger
Costume Design – Kate Carroll
Lighting Design – Pamela Kildahl
Sound Design – Richard Grossman
Dramaturg – Lance S. Belville
Literary Intern – Jennifer MacLean
Assistant Stage Manager – Danette Corbitt
Dialect Coach – Bill McGuire
Properties Design – David Allan Skoog
Wig Stylist – Dale Bryant
Technical Director – Royce B. Jackson
Sound Board Operator – Rose Holmes
Carpenters – Royce B. Jackson, David Allan Skoog, Jeff Frederick
Scenic Artist – Kimberly L. Lawler
Master Electrician – Rose Holmes
Electricians – David Allan Skoog, Jeff Frederick
Light Board Operator – David Allan Skoog

Some Things That Can Go Wrong At 35,000 Ft.
(in repertory with Hauptmann)
January 26-February 18, 1994
By John Orlock

Seven years after Lindbergh’s son is murdered, Europe is on the brink of war with Germany. At their Long Island home, Charles Lindbergh and his wife host a visit from an award-winning French writer, Antoine de Saint-Exupery (best remembered for having authored the novella, The Little Prince), who was also a pioneering aviator. The three examine Lindbergh’s past, present and future as a public and private figure. The play is set on an August weekend in 1939 and subsequent moments through 1944.

Stephen D’Ambrose as Charles Lindbergh

Cast
Antoine de Saint-Exupery – Henry Allen
Anne Morrow Lindbergh – Megan Grundy
Charles Lindbergh – Stephen D’Ambrose
Understudies – Gigi Jensen, David Tufford

Production Staff
Director – John Orlock
Production Stage Manager – April J. Watkins
Stage Manager – Kim Vogelsang
Scene Design – Thomas H. Berger
Costume Design – Dierdre Whitlock
Lighting Design – Pamela Kildahl
Sound Design – Richard Grossman
Dramaturg – Lance S. Belville
Literary Intern – Jennifer MacLean
Assistant Stage Manager – Danette Corbitt
Properties Design – David Allan Skoog
Technical Director – Royce B. Jackson
Sound Board Operator – Rose Holmes
Carpenters – Royce B. Jackson, David Allan Skoog, Jeff Frederick
Scenic Artist – Kimberly L. Lawler
Master Electrician – Rose Holmes
Electricians – David Allan Skoog, Jeff Frederick, Royce B. Jackson
Light Board Operator – David Allan Skoog

Dancing At Lughnasa
March 5-April 2, 1994
By Brian Friel

The play depicts the world of Irish peasants in Donegal during the mid-1930s, as conjured by the playwright. He imagines that Lugh, the pagan god of harvest, beckons his three maiden aunts into a bout of Celtic revelry and a sprited affirmation of the elemental and fundamental joy of life through dance.

Cast
Kate – Nancy Griggs
Maggie – Sally Wingert
Agnes – Beth Gilleland
Rose – Amy Elizabeth Fisher
Chris – Geanette Poole
Gerry – Paul Douglas Law
Michael – Bill Corbett
Jack – Tom Carey
Understudies – Gina Aker, Kelly Hilliard, Eddie Owens

Production Staff
Director – Casey Stangl
Production Stage Manager – April J. Watkins
Scene & Lighting Design – Nayna Ramey
Costume Design – Katherine B. Kohl
Sound Design – Richard Grossman
Technical Director – Royce B. Jackson
Research Assistants – Larissa Kokernot, Jennifer MacLean
Consultant – Eddie Owens
Assistant Stage Manager – Gwen Turos
Dialect Coach – Teresa Lyons
Irish Dance Consultant – Eileen Linderholm
Ballroom Dance Consultant – Michael Engel
Properties Design – Karen Luedtke
Properties Assistant – David Allan Skoog
Wigs Stylist – Katherine B. Kohl
Sound Board Operator – Pete Johannsen
Carpenters – Royce B. Jackson, Jeff Frederick, Jerry Neppl, Roger Skophammer, Andrew Turner
Scenic Artists – Kimberly L. Lawler, Nayla Ramey, Rebecca Heroff
Master Electrician/Light Board Operator – Rose Holmes
Electrician – Jerry Neppl

Plain Hearts
April 20-May 29, 1994
By Lance S. Belville; Music and Lyrics by Eric Peltoniemi

The play consists of songs and stories about Midwestern prairie women from the 1890s to the 1920s.

From Producer & Artistic Director Lynn Lohr:

“Behind the seven women onstage who are the Plain Hearts Band stand thousands of other women. They are our prairie mothers and grandmothers and their single women friends – farm women all. They stand in the sun, and in the dry wind, and in the blessed rain after a drought. Some of them are holding flowers in their hands, lilacs or humble cosmos or yellow bush roses. Some are carrying pails of eggs or milk, some are carrying children. They are not very well dressed. They are wearing work clothes. They are all beautiful. They are all very proud. They have come to hear their stories again. Plain Hearts is offered in gratitude for their humor, their hard work and their love.”

Cast
Viola Fuller/Maude Meredith/Jessie Deethardt/Hulda Imsland – Ahna L. Brandvik
Capitola Klanpe/Serina/Avirl Flatten – Suzanne Graff
Miss Gergen/Letha Foss/Beatirce Kelley – Christine Sonnek
Babel Bailey/Reporter/Tomina Lund – Karen Kelley
Mrs. Bailey – Sally Reynolds
Mrs. Fuller – Jane Aleckson

Musicians (The Plain Hearts Band)
Lead guitar & backup vocals – Jane Aleckson
Lead & backup vocals – Ahna L. Brandvik
Lead & backup vocals – Suzanne Graff
Drums & backup vocals – Rebecca Kite
Lead & backup vocals – Karen Kelley
Bass & lead guitar – K. McNamara
Keyboard & backup vocals – Sally Reynolds
Lead & backup vocals – Christine Sonnek
Understudies – Karen Erickson Batdorf, Laura Lynne Topper

Production Staff
Director – Michael Ellison
Musical Director – arya Hart
Scenic & Lighting Designer – Chris Johnson
Costume Designer – Deidrea Whitlock
Production Stage Manager – April J. Watkins
Assistant Stage Manager – Gwen Turos
Technical Director – Royce B. Jackson
Properties Designer – Karen Luedtke
Sound Consultant – Richard Grossman
Sound Technician – Jonathan Charry
Master Electrician – Rose Holmes
Electricians – Jeff Frederick, Jerry Neppl
Light Board Operator – Rose Holmes
Follow Spot Operators – Pete Johannsen, Mike Lamberty, Doug Clapp
Carpenters – Royce B. Jackson, Jeff Frederick, Jeffy Neppl, Roger Skophammer, Andrew Turner
Scenic Artist – Kimberly Lawler
Research Assistant – Jena Berg

Plain Hearts Song List
ACT I
Plain Hearts – Entire Cast
Chickens – Karen & Cast
Grandma – Christine & Cast
Rubberneckin’ – Entire Cast
Rotten Michael – Karen
Death & The Farmwife – Entire Cast
Bergen Boys – Suzanne & Karen
Tree of Life – Ahna & Cast
Plain Hearts (reprise) – Entire Cast

ACT II
As Long as the Land – Jane & Cast
Nobody Knows But Mother – Ahna
Sparrow – Christine
DreamBook – Suzanne & Cast
Horn of Plenty – Ahna, Christine & Cast
We Are The People – Entire Cast

All songs: music and lyrics by Eric Peltoniemi, © 1983 Eric Peltoniemi Music, LLC./ASCAP
– except “Nobody Knows but Mother”: music by Eric Peltoniemi, lyrics anonymous (from a poem published in a 19^th Century farm women’s journal), © 1983 Eric Peltoniemi Music LLC/ASCAP

A Couple of Blaguards
July, 1994
By Frank and Malachy McCourt

A humorous, yet vivid commentary on pre-World War II poverty in Ireland, delivered in a raw, raucous and raunchy way.

The approximate timing of this play’s performances is based upon advance marketing and advertising material in our archives. Although a program for this production was located, the exact run dates of the show were not printed there, so they could not be included above.

Cast
Frank – Julian Bailey
Malachy – Graham Thatcher
Understudy – Bruce Owen

Production Crew
Director – Ron Peluso
Production Design – Thomas H. Berger
Production Stage Manager – Kim Vogelsang
Assistant Stage Manager – Ryan Julien
Grid Design – Trevor Vasey, Thomas H. Berger
Grid & Electrical Installation – Trevor Vasey, Dale Petersen/Stagewest Electronics, Fred Newburg/Mid-Northern Electronics, Rose Holmes
Technical Assistants – Royce B. Jackson, Andrew Turner, Rose Holmes, Ryan Julien
Light Board Operator – Alicia Reinhardt
Properties Design – Ryan Julien

Wait Staff

Richard VanSyckle – John Willcox – Micheal Isaac
Barbara Slade – Nicole Patty – Christine Widule

This production was presented at the Cabaret in the Wabasha Caves of St. Paul