Oliver! The Musical On Stage July 9-12

July 9 brings the Soo Theatre’s production of Oliver! The Musical to the stage. Running Thursday through Sunday, this award-winning musical, adapted from the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, is directed by David Rhinard, with music direction by Karen Hughes and choreography by Dianna George. The cast features over fifty performers of all ages, all from the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

An orphan in the harsh world of Victorian England, Oliver dreams of a better life. He meets a variety of thieves and vagabonds who want to bring Oliver into their world. Oliver is befriended by one of them, a boy known as the Artful Dodger, who teaches Oliver how to be a pickpocket and offers him friendship with the song “Consider Yourself.” Dodger gives him a place to sleep in Fagin’s lair. Deep down, Oliver knows what is moral and immoral but he desperately wants a family to call his own. He finds a mother figure in Nancy, the girlfriend of the terrifying Bill Sykes. Nancy and her sister Bet sing about how much fun it is to have a little danger in one’s life in “It’s a Fine Life.” A shift happens on a muggy morning. Oliver steals from the wrong man, Mr. Brownlow, who ends up wanting to adopt the boy. He has a strange kinship with Oliver but, with the new thieving friends in his life, Oliver finds it hard to stay with Mr. Brownlow.

To provide the experience of acting in a major role to several young actors, the roles of Oliver and the Artful Dodger are double cast. On their alternate nights, the boys play roles in the chorus.

Oliver! is a musical for the whole family. Show dates and times are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights July 9, 10, and 11 at 7:30 pm, along with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. on July 12. Come, support, and join in the fun at the Soo Theatre Project. Admission for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances is $18 for adults and $12 for students, seniors, and groups of 15 or more. Sunday’s matinee admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, and groups of 15 or more. A family rate for 3 or more tickets purchased per family is also available: $12 for adults and $8 for kids/students. Groups and families must purchase tickets ahead of the show times.

PDF version of the event poster

Rehearsal Photos

Tickets may be purchased at the Soo Theatre Project office. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 10-6 and Friday 10-4. For more information, call (906) 632-1930 or visit the website at www.sootheatre.org.

The cast of Oliver! The Musical at a recent rehearsal

Soo Theatre Project's Great 2009 Summer Season

The Soo Theatre Project's Great 2009 Summer Season is already underway. Here are the upcoming season events. Season poster

International Idol 2009
Sundays, June 7 to July 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Sponsored by the Soo Theatre Project and Lake Street Studio, this five-week vocal competition, held every Sunday from June 7 to July 5, features the best talent from the region. Admission $5 at the door.

Oliver!
Thursday, July 9th through Saturday, July 11th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 12th at 2:00 p.m.
This Tony award-winning musical features local talent from all over the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Admission Thursday to Saturday $18 for adults and $12 for students, seniors, and groups of 15 or more. Sunday matinee $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, and groups of 15 or more.

Switchback
Thursday, July 16th at 7:30 p.m.
This Celtic music duo perform their original Irish folk songs. Admission $15.

The Principal and the Pea
Friday, July 17th at 2:00 p.m.
Performed by the Elementary Musical Theatre Camp students. Free admission.

Vocal Gala
Friday, July 24th at 7:00 p.m.
Selections from opera and musical theatre performed by summer vocal apprentices of the Soo Opera Theatre. Admission $5 at the door.

Keith Stickley, Magical Entertainer
Saturday, August 1st at 7:30 p.m.
Add one part magician to one part comedian, throw in a dash of classic Vegas style and get ready to experience a great time with Magical Entertainer Keith Stickley! Admission $10 for adults and seniors, $5 for children under 12.

Cosi Fan Tutte
Thursday and Friday August 6th and 7th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 9 at 2:00 p.m.
Note: No show Saturday.
Mozart's comic opera. Would you bet on the fragile and effervescent joys of "summer love?" This romantic comedy explores the mysteries of the heart with the aid of four attractive young lovers, a crafty maidservant, and a jaded man-of-the-world. Admission Thursday and Friday nights $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $10 for students. Admission for the Sunday matinee $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $8 for students.

Chicago
Friday and Saturday, August 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 30 at 2:00 p.m.
With music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, this legendary musical is being brought to the Soo Theatre stage by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Fine Arts Council.

An Evening of Gershwin
Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
A revue by Michael Dempsey of George Gershwin's Broadway, classical, and popular songs.

The Cast of Beatlemania
Thursday, September 10th at 7:30 p.m.
The Cast of Beatlemania features former members who starred in the Broadway production and have performed in all fifty states and over twenty foreign countries, including Canada, England, Mexico, Brazil, and Japan. They faithfully re-create a live stage show that reproduces the sights and sounds of the original Beatles. Admission $20.

Rotary Show of Shows
Sunday, September 27th at 2:00 p.m.
Rotary's 2nd annual benefit concert for Soo Theatre Project, this show features local talent and includes highlights of the Soo Theatre’s summer season. Admission $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Don Ross and Brooke Miller
Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
New acoustic music. The legendary solo guitarist and one of Canada’s finest new songwriters perform together in concert.

Cult Classic Film
Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Midnight.
Save the date for a special Cult Classic Film. Stay tuned!

For further information, call (906) 632-1930 or visit us on the web at www.sootheatre.org. Come, join, and support the Soo Theatre Project. There's a show for everyone!

June 27: Book Signing: An American Café: Reflections from the Grill

The Gianakura brothers, Chris and Samuel, having arrived in Sault Ste. Marie in the late 1890s, established the American Café in the newly built Soo Theatre complex in 1930. Peter, Chris's son, has written an account of the history of the two men, the businesses they owned, and memoirs of his own life, continuing their legacy.

Peter Gianakura will be signing his newly released book about the American Café at the same site that housed the restaurant that he and his family owned. There will be an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 at what is now the office for the Soo Theatre Project and STARS.

An American Café: Reflections from the Grill is the title of Peter Gianakura’s new book. It is a collection of delightful tales about the small restaurant that he ran, first with his father and then on his own. The American Café, fondly remembered by folks all over the Eastern Upper Peninsula, evolved from two candy stores owned by Peter’s dad and uncle. The American Confectionery Store was located closer to Spruce Street and was forced to move when Kresge's came to town. Peter’s dad was able to move to the storefront next to the Soo Theatre where his uncle had a miniature candy factory in the basement. As the big candy companies came on the market, the Gianakuras couldn’t compete and the shop evolved into a sandwich and luncheon gathering spot.

Peter had no inclination to be in the restaurant business, he recalled in a recent interview with Meta Geyer. When he finished his stint in the Army as a medic, however, he couldn’t say no to his dad. He learned the business and worked beside his dad until he retired. Peter was behind the counter 43 years, and when he and Georgia were married, she became the restaurant's famous pie maker. They sold the café in 1989 and still run into former customers who remember their favorite meals there.

In one of the many stories Peter relayed about the Soo Theatre, he recalled, “I loved going to the theater when I was growing up. You know the movie ran all day on Saturday. One time I watched a western at least three times. When I finally left, I’ll never forget the sight in the lobby. There was my dad in his white apron and his hands on his hips glaring at me in front of the crowd coming in for the evening movie. I was one embarrassed young man.”

Soo Theatre Project has honored the Gianakura Family with a display of photos and memorabilia in the area that the family restaurant occupied for nearly 60 years. Peter and Georgia provided the wonderful pictures of the café and the former candy stores. Thanks go to Marian MacLeod for sparking the idea for the memory wall, to Bill Gerrish for lending his design expertise, to Colleen Arbic and Personal Touch for donating some of the materials, and to Sault Realism for creating the finished replica photos. The “Gianakura corner” is adjacent to the refinished original framed mirror that was behind the diner counter. The mirror was found under newer generation wall coverings and brought back to its former beauty by Fran Hoholik.

Stop by on Saturday to see this tribute to the Gianakuras and pick up a copy of Peter’s new book. As Chris Roll says in her review on the back cover of the book, “An American Café is a book filled with the richness of small-town life over the course of most of the 20th century.”

Photos from the Event

International Idol 2009 Continues June 21: Come See What Happens!

Composite of International Idol Week One Contestants and Judges

Week Two of the Soo Theatre Project’s International Idol has expanded to ten contestants! Three more Idol hopefuls have been added to this unique vocal contest. This competition is an adrenaline ride for the contestants, who have to hold their own on the Soo Theatre stage, performing in front of the judges, family, friends, and devoted community members.

Lake Street Studio in Brimley, owned and operated by Soo Theatre’s own Taylor Brugman, is donating studio time for the three winning contestants. The International Idol third place winner will receive an award of $100 of studio time, runner-up $200 of studio time, and first place $500 of studio time at Brugman’s Lake Street Studio.

Week Three of International Idol is just around the corner. Sign-up is complete and the ten contestants have been selected. There may be some new challenges compared to last year’s competition… Come see what happens!

The remaining events of the International Idol 2009 Vocal Competition Series take place Sundays, June 21, June 28, and July 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the Soo Theatre. Admission is $5 at the door for any non-contestant. Further information is available at the Soo Theatre Project. Call (906) 632-1930 or email sootheatre@lighthouse.net.

For more information on the contest, see the previous posting.

Dennis Brooks, Trisha Wells, and "Gentleman George" Snider judge the performance of a contestant during Week One of the International Idol 2009 Vocal Competition Series at the Soo Theatre.

There's Still Time to Sign Up for International Idol 2009!

Sunday, June 7th at 7:00 p.m. on the Soo Theatre stage saw the first round of International Idol 2009. Seven local talents, from both sides of the Saint Mary's River and ranging in age from 12 to 82, began the vocal competition.

The contestants are not only judged on their vocal abilities but also on their stage presence, originality, timing, clarity, interpretation, and pitch accuracy. Local musicians Dennis Brooks and "Gentleman George" Snider make up two of three members of the judging panel. Trisha Wells is the third judge. A graduate of DePauw University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, Ms. Wells is the female lead in the Soo Theatre’s upcoming production of Oliver! The Musical.

Jennifer Compo and All Good Soundz Entertainment is once again providing musical accompaniment for the contestants. The winners will receive studio time at Lake Street Studio, Brimley's waterfront recording studio. The Grand Prize is $500 studio time, Second Prize is $200 studio time, and Third Prize is $100 studio time at Lake Street Studio.

If you love singing and performing, this is the competition for you! International Idol is still accepting registration for new contestants. Everyone participating must prepare two songs. The music selection is available from All Good Soundz Entertainment. E-mail Jennifer Compo at her website at allgoodsoundz.com to ask about the music selection. If you have your own CD, do not hesitate to bring that in as well.

The International Idol 2009 Vocal Competition Series takes place Sundays, June 7th to July 5th at 7:00 pm. Admission is $5.00 for any non-contestant. Sign-up for contestants is free and International Idol is accepting applicants for one more week (through June 14). If you have any questions, please call the Soo Theatre office at (906) 632-1930 or email sootheatre@lighthouse.net.

For more information on the contest, see the previous posting.

Photos from Week 1 of the Contest