2001-2002

2001-2002

SEASON

STAFF
Artistic Director – Ron Peluso
Managing Director – Virginia Nugent
Development Director – Susan Heinrich
Education Director – Joe Spencer
Public Relations Director – In-Fin Tuan
Audience Services Director – Chari Hall
Group Sales Manager – Linda Berglund
Company Manager – Janet Hall
Technical Director – Erik Paulson
Costume Designer – Molly Jordan Kral
Stage Manager – Kelly Campion
Volunteer Coordinator – Lavinia Erickson

The Fierce Clockwork of Destiny (World Premiere)
September 29-October 27, 2001
By John Olive

This play is a comedy/adventure/melodrama about the botched Minnesota bank robbery by the James Gang, as seen through the eyes of dime novelist Agustus Appler. In addition to recounting the story of the 1876 robbery, the piece considers the American process whereby history becomes myth. The action of the play takes place in the town of Northfield and the Big Woods of Southern Minnesota.

Cast
Agustus C. Appler – Shawn Hamilton
Eva McMurdy – Virginia Burke
Company – Fred Wagner
Company – Michelle Cassioppi
Company – Jim Haun
Company – James Young II
Jesse James – David Mann
Understudies – Nicole MQ Johnson & Brian Allard

L-R: Virginia Burke, Shawn Hamilton

Artistic Staff
Director – Ron Peluso
Assistant Director – Sara Gioia
Scene Design – Erik Paulson
Light Design – Michael Burgoyne
Costume Design – Molly Jordan Kral
Sound Design – Logan Jambik
Properties Design – Jenn James
Production Stage Manager – Kelly Campion

Production Staff
Technical Director – Erik Paulson
Master Electrician – Logan Jambik
Master Carpenter – Cara Ullrich
Sound Board Operator – Caly McMorrow
Light Board Operator – Cara Ullrich
Electricians – Brian Maher, David Cook, David Bearl
Costume Construction – Molly Mennenga, Mario Schindler, Nancy Jackson, Jean Lombardy

The Christmas Schooner
November 10-December 30, 2001
By John Reeger
Music & Lyrics by Julie Shannon

This play tells the story of holiday-minded people who sailed the dangerous winter waters of the Great Lakes from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with a cargo of Christmas trees for populations further south. It is a story that celebrates the things we hold dear, reflecting the triumphant nature of the American immigrant experience and the strength that we can find within our friends and families.

Cast
Peter Stossel – William Gilness
Alma Stossel – Patty Nieman
Gustav Stossel – John Paul Gamoke
Karl (young boy) – Arthur Noble
Karl (age 15) – Sean Michael Dooley
Martha – Ann Michels
Steve – Peter Gregory Thomson
Oskar – Joe Kolbow
Rudy – Tom Musgrave
Hans/Officer Wells – David Roberts
Enid – Jennifer Maren
Olive – Ruth Afton
Mary Claire – Erin Capello, Elena Glass
Pianist – Stephen Houtz
Understudies – Ruth Afton, Stephen Houtz, Christine Nelson
Piano understudy – Gary Gimmestad

L-R: William Gilness, John Gamoke, Tom Musgrave, Joe Kolbow

Artistic Team
Director – Ron Peluso
Musical Director – Stephen Houtz
Choreographer – Jan Puffer
Music Director – Raymond Berg
Assistant Director – Sarah Gioia
Scene Design – Ron Peluso, Erik Paulson
Light Design – Pamela Kildahl
Properties Design – Jenn James
Costume Design – Molly Jordan Kral
Stage Manager – Janet Hall
Assistant Stage Manager – Kelly Campion

Musical Numbers
ACT I
We All Have Songs – Company
That’s American – Alma, Gustav, Karl (young boy)
The Mummers Are Here – Steve, Oskar, Rudy, Peter
The Blessings Of The Branch – Company
The Letter – Peter, Martha & Company
The Letter (reprise) – Peter, Martha, Alma, Karl & Company
Another Season On The Water – Company
When I Look At You – Peter
What Is It About The Water? – Company
The Christmas Schooner – Peter, Gustav, Steve, Oskar, Rudy & Company

ACT II
Song Of The Hungry Peasants – Company
Winterfest Polka – Oskar, Rudy & Company
Loving Sons – Alma & Karl
The Strudel Waltz – Peter & Alma
Another Season On The Water (reprise) – Company
Hardwater Sailors – Karl (age 15), Oskar, Rudy & Company
The Storm – Instrumental
Questions – Alma
When I Look At You (reprise) – Gustav & Alma
What Is It About The Water? (reprise) – Karl (age 15) & Company
The Blessings Of The Branch – Alma & Mary Claire
Finale – Company
We All Have Songs – Company

In Coya’s House
January 19-February 16, 2002
By Jenna Zark

Cornelia Genevive Gjesdal (Coya) Knutson was the first woman elected to Congress from Minnesota. She served two terms, despite sexist attitudes and a disapproving husband. The play tells the story of her frustrations, triumphs and eventual sabotage by her detractors at home and in Washington. The story is set in both Minnesota and Washington, DC between 1953 and 1958.

Cast
Coya Knutson – Signe Albertson
Andy Knutson/Harold Cooley – Fred Wagner
Young Terry Knutson – Ryan McCartan
Elder Terry Knutson/Bill Kjeldahl/Estes Kefauver/Mr. Gunderson – Julian Bailey
Sally Luther/Muriel Humphrey/Christine/Clare Booth Luce/reporter/woman – Nancy Marvy
L.J. Lee/Sam Rayburn/headmaster – Philip Callen
Ensemble (men’s understudy) – Joe Kolbow
Ensemble (women’s understudy) – Jan Joseph
Young Terry understudy – Charles Dolph

Signe Albertson, Ryan McCartan

Artistic Staff
Director – Sari Ketter
Scene Design – Nayna Ramey
Light Design – Marcus Dilliard
Costume Design – Molly Jordan Kral
Sound Design – C. Andrew Mayer
Properties Design – Jenn James
Production Stage Manager – Kelly Campion
Accordian Musician & Composer – Victor Zupanc

Summer in the Shadows
March 2-17, 2002
By Kim Hines

This is the story of William Edward Burghardt (“W.E.B.”) Du Bois, a highly regarded American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist and author, who was an influential figure among early 20th century African-Americans. A summer job in Minnesota at age 20 helped launch him into his future: he was the first of his race to receive a doctoral degree, he became a college professor and was one of the co-founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The play, set in 1888 at Lake Minnetonka and in Nashville, Tennessee, encourages audiences to listen to their spirits and remember their dreams.

Cast
W.E.B. DuBois – Anthony Irons
Thomas – Benny S. Cannon
Henry – Tyrone Lewis
Pink – Chrystal Martin
Abby/Mother – Greta Oglesby
Mr. Howard – Clark Cruikshank
Samuel – Ronnell Wheeler
A.D. – James Young
Ensemble – Traci Czech, Christine M. Nelson, Brian Allard, J.C. Johnson
Understudy – Trena Bolden

Anthony Irons

Artistic Staff
Director – Richard D. Thompson
Scene Design – Nayna Ramey
Light Design – Michael Wangen
Costume Design – Molly Jordan Kral
Sound Design – C. Andrew Mayer
Properties Design – Jenn James
Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Assistant Stage Manager – Kelly Campion

Sisters of Swing (World Premiere)
April 13-May 25, 2002
By Beth Gilleland & Bob Beverage
Musical Arrangements by Raymond Berg

This musical, born from a concept by History Theatre’s Artistic Director Ron Peluso, brings us an engaging story about the world-famous, popular and Minnesota-born Andrews Sisters. The action of the play occurs before and after WWII, east and west of Minneapolis.

Cast
Patty – Christina Baldwin Fletcher
Maxene – Jennifer Baldwin Peden
LaVerne – Norah Long
Lou/Bing/Danny & others – Ari Hoptman
Vic/pianist & soldier – Steven Houtz
Understudies – Jennifer Maren, Joe Dever

Top to bottom: Norah Long, Cristina Baldwin Fletcher, Jen Baldwin Peden

Artistic Team
Director – Ron Peluso
Choreographer – Jan Puffer
Musical Director & Arranger – Raymond Berg
Scene Design – Nayna Ramey
Light Design – Pamela Kildahl
Costume Design – Molly Jordan Kral
Sound Design – C. Andrew Mayer
Properties Design – Jenn James
Stage Manager – Kelly Campion
Assistant Stage Manager – Janet L. Hall
Assistant to the Director – Robin Brooks

The Capital City Big Band
Trombone – Jordan Burns
Trumpet – Matt Huot
Bass – Darren King
Clarinet/Alto Sax – Bill Nimchuk
Percussion – David Whitman
Understudies – Zoe Pappas, Fred Wagner, Raymond Berg

Song List
ACT I
Three Little Fishies – Sisters
Dinah – Sisters
Near You – Sisters
Bei Mir Bist Du Schon – Sisters
Well Alright! – Sisters
Hold Tight – Sisters
Accentuate The Positive – Sisters & Bing Crosby
I Love You Much Too Much – Patty
Norwegian Lullaby – Maxine & LaVerne
Beer Barrel Polka – Sisters

ACT II
Six Jerks In A Jeep – Sisters
Corns For My Country – Sisters
All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth – Sisters & Danny Kaye
Rum And Coca Cola – Sisters
Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree – Sisters
I Can Dream, Can’t I – Sisters
I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time – Sisters
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – Sisters
Woody Woodpecker – Sisters & Danny Kaye
Carmen Boogie – Sisters
Count Your Blessings – LaVerne
Finale – Sisters

The Meeting
June, 2002
By Jeff Stetson

Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were dedicated, in different ways, to advocacy for African Americans. They only met once, and only for a few moments, during the 1963 March on Washington, DC. This play deals with what might have happened if these two men had been able to meet at length and discuss the problems they faced and solutions available to them. Unfortunately, within five years of their brief meeting, both men had been murdered. The play is set in Harlem, New York on February 14, 1965.

The approximate timing of this play’s performances is based upon advance marketing and advertising material in our archives. Unfortunately, a program for this production, our primary source of data, could not be located.