Friday, November 20, 2009

Ice Age: The Story Behind the Story (from the Writer Michael J. Wilson)

Ice Age plays at the Soo Theatre this weekend as follows: Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, November 21 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, November 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for everyone. More details (a plot summary and movie trailer) from the Soo Theatre website.

Editor’s Note: When we found out that Michael J. Wilson, the writer of the Ice Age story, is the son-in-law of Soo Theatre Board members Mary and Al McKay, we asked him for a little background on his experience. Here’s what he sent us.

Ice Age began as a two-word idea that 20th Century Fox wanted to develop. Many writers went in and pitched on these two words. Pitched characters. Pitched story. Pitched anything and everything to get the job. This is what you call a "bake-off" in Hollywood. The good news is, you are "approved" to come in and pitch. Not just anybody can enter the bake-off. The bad news is, they don’t pay you for the work you bring in for the pitch. So, for all the time you spend preparing the pitch -- it’s a risk. You could end up with nothing! I spent two weeks researching the Ice Age. I discovered that for a brief period of time Neanderthal man and mammoths co-existed. The Neanderthals used the mammoth skin and bones and fur for everything. Shelter. Soup. Jewelry. Blankets. Weapons. You name it! Nothing was wasted. I came up with a central conflict. What if a mammoth saved a Neanderthal baby's life? What if this is the one mammoth a Neanderthal can't kill -- because he owes the mammoth big-time?

My three-year-old daughter helped me with the pitch. She came up with a character in Ice Age that is a combination of a squirrel and a rat. She called him Scrat. "What does Scrat want?" I asked Flora. "Dad. Hello? Scrat wants the acorn." Wow! So simple. I have been forever in Flora's debt and creative shadow ever since.

Speaking of my daughter Flora, at this period in time I was telling stories in her class every week. So, as I was writing the Ice Age script, I would pitch out ideas and characters and her class would help me write it. One day I was stumped. "What does Diego want?" I asked the class. (Diego is the saber-tooth tiger). One kid named Willie raised his hand. "Diego wants to EAT the baby!" he proclaimed loudly. Thus began the thread behind the story of Diego, and how he had a secret agenda, and was leading Manfred (the mammoth) and Sid (the sloth) and Roshan (the baby) into a TRAP! Thank you, Willie.

I used to follow Willie to his mom's car and ask him question after question about my script. I thought he was a genius. He eventually moved away. I was very sad. (I was also asking him questions about my life. He was three. He was very wise.)

The studio did not want Roshan's mother to die in Act 1. This was a big fight. They were afraid it was too scary and downbeat for little children. I pointed out many characters in many classic fairy tales and movies die. They insisted I let her live. But it did not work dramatically. I wanted Manfred to see her die so we would buy that he would take on little baby Roshan's plight. I won that fight -- but it took three months. Finally we compromised. I got to kill the mom. But it was a cutaway. One moment she was in the water pleading for Manfred to take care of her baby. When we cut back to her moments later -- she was gone. Drowned. It was very effective. I am so glad I won this fight! Studios are so afraid of scaring little kids. When I was four, I saw The Wizard of Oz. It was terrifying! I loved it! Can you imagine The Wizard of Oz without those flying monkeys? Or without the Wicked Witch trying to kill Dorothy?

The best thing about creating the story for Ice Age and writing the script was that it took three years. It was so much fun! But eventually I got very burned out. Animation takes a long time. The rewriting is insane. They wanted me to move to New York where the animation was being done and keep working on it. But I had family obligations in California and couldn't go. Other writers were brought in. They created the dodo birds sequence which I love. They also added some other characters—some of which ultimately were cut from the finished film—and they did a lot of work and had a lot of fun with Scrat. They all did a great job.

The theme for Ice Age is simple. Stick with the herd. At the beginning Manfred is a broken lost soul with no family. By the end he has integrated lovingly and successfully with Roshan and Diego and Sid. They are his "herd". I was very proud of Manfred's character. Especially the scene where he looks at drawings on the wall and remembers what happened to his family. The animation work on this scene is amazing. His face. His eyes. This is some of the best animation I have ever seen. Not a lot of noisy crazy graphics. Just pure simple emotion.

I was asked to work on the other Ice Age movies but declined. You can't top that first one! I didn't want to try. The other movies are wonderful and very funny. But I love the emotion and the creation of the characters in the first one.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Back by Popular Demand! Movies at the Soo Theatre!

Since more than 400 people attended The Rocky Horror Picture Show on October 17, we decided to bring you more of what you've been asking for: movies at the Soo Theatre!

For five weekends from Halloween through Thanksgiving, the Soo Theatre Project will present some movie classics on the big screen to celebrate the season at an affordable price. Admission is just $5. Want to know more about a movie? Check the Movies at the Soo Theatre page on our website at sootheatre.org for links to movie trailers.

Oct 31-Nov 1 Young Frankenstein
Halloween Weekend
Saturday, October 31 (Halloween night) at 10 p.m.
Sunday, November 1 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $5 for everyone

Mel Brooks' monstrously crazy tribute to Mary Shelley's classic pokes hilarious fun at just about every Frankenstein movie ever made. Summoned by a will to his late grandfather's castle in Transylvania, young Dr. Frankenstein (pronounced "Fron-ken-steen") (Gene Wilder) soon discovers the scientist's step-by-step manual explaining how to bring a corpse to life. Assisted by the hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman) and the curvaceous Inga (Teri Garr), he creates a monster (Peter Boyle) who only wants to be loved. With Cloris Leachman, Madeline Kahn, Teri Garr. 1974, PG. Movie trailer

Nov 6-8 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 8 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $5 for everyone

Glamorous showgirls Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell set sail for Paris on a luxury liner with the goal of landing some eligible millionaires in the lively musical comedy based on Anita Loos’ play. With Charles Coburn, Tommy Noonan, and Monroe’s legendary “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” number. 1953, Not Rated. Movie trailer

Nov 13-15 The Princess Bride
Friday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 14 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 15 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $5 for everyone

This fun fantasy for the family from Rob Reiner follows the fairy tale quest of a young swashbuckler to rescue the title heroine from the evil machinations of her husband-to-be, a wily prince. Robin Wright and Cary Elwes are the young lovers; Billy Crystal, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, and Peter Falk also star. 1987, PG. Movie trailer

Nov 20-22 Ice Age
Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 21 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 22 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $5 for everyone

They came... they thawed... they conquered the hearts of audiences everywhere in the coolest animated adventure of all time! Heading south to avoid a bad case of global frostbite, a group of migrating misfit creatures—woolly mammoth Manfred (voiced by Ray Romano), ground sloth Sid (John Leguizamo) and saber-toothed tiger Diego (Denis Leary)—embark on a hilarious quest to reunite a human baby with his tribe. 2002, PG. Movie trailer

Nov 28-29 Miracle on 34th Street (1947 Original)
Thanksgiving Weekend
Saturday, November 28 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 29 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $5 for everyone

This perennial holiday film classic relates the tale of “Kris Kringle,” a Macy’s department store Santa Claus claiming to be the real thing—much to the dismay of a no-nonsense store executive (Maureen O’Hara) who is raising her daughter (Natalie Wood) not to believe in fantasy. But when Kringle (Edmund Gwenn, in an Academy Award-winning performance) is declared insane, a good-hearted lawyer (John Payne) fights to prove that the man is truly jolly old St. Nicholas as young and old alike face the age-old question: Do you believe in Santa Claus? 1947, Not Rated. Movie ad

And finally…

Don’t forget, the Soo Theatre’s Haunted Hall will be open on Friday, October 30, during the 16th Annual Fall Festival, Safe Trick or Treating from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Hosted by the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Business Association, the festival also includes free hayrides and a children’s carnival, winding up with a kid’s costume contest at Avery Square at 7:00 p.m. You’ll have a great time at the Haunted Hall, so make sure to stop by and enjoy this free event!

The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783. For further information, call the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visit our website at www.sootheatre.org. Come, join, and support the Soo Theatre Project! With your help we can continue to improve your theatre experience!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Movies Return to the Soo Theatre Saturday, October 17!

The Soo Theatre Project is pleased to announce the return of the genre you've all been waiting for: Movies!

Just in time for the Halloween season, we will show the cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, on Saturday, October 17. A landmark event, this will be the first movie shown at the Soo Theatre in ten years.

This 1975 British musical comedy film parodies science fiction and horror films. Still in limited release nearly 34 years after its premiere, it has the longest-running theatrical release in film history. The movie is about a newly engaged couple who have a flat tire and go to a nearby castle to ask for assistance. Little do they know that they have stumbled upon a crazy household of aliens who are involved in some very odd situations and creations.

The movie will be shown at the Soo Theatre for one night only, Saturday, October 17th. There will be two movie showings, one at 7:30 p.m. and one at midnight. The 7:30 p.m. showing will just be the movie and the midnight showing will feature an interactive performance by members of the LSSU Dance Company. Kits will be available for the midnight showing.

Tickets are just $5 and are available in advance or at the door at the Soo Theatre, 534 Ashmun St., in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. For further information, call the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visit our website at www.sootheatre.org.

Poster for the Event

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is rated R - Restricted - Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian.

P.S. Look for more movies at the Soo Theatre in 2010!

Don Ross and Brooke Miller Return Friday, Oct 16!


The Soo Theatre Project is proud to present Don Ross and Brooke Miller, the legendary solo guitarist and one of Canada’s finest new songwriters together in concert, as they return to the Soo Theatre stage Friday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m.

One of today's true innovators of guitar composition and technique, Don Ross has emerged as one of the most respected musicians in Canada and one of the top guitarists in the world. Noted for the emotion and intensity of his playing as well as his technique, his music borrows from blues, jazz, folk, and classical music, creating a style that he describes as "heavy wood".

Brooke Miller hails from Prince Edward Island on Canada's Atlantic coast. Once a punk band singer that had opened for such bands as Modest Mouse and Sloan, she soon outgrew the three-chord confines of punk and began exploring more sophisticated and challenging techniques and genres--from the intricacies of finger-picking to the more colorful palette of jazz. Today her music reflects the more refined simmering that only a few years and intense devotion to both perfecting serious craft and living meaningful life can bring.

Don't miss this one-night-only performance at the Soo Theatre, Friday, October 16th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and are available in advance or at the door at the Soo Theatre, 534 Ashmun St. in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Group rates are available. For further information, call the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visit our website at www.sootheatre.org. Poster for the event

Find out more at their website: Don Ross and Brooke Miller new acoustic music

YouTube Video: Don Ross & Brooke Miller performing “Country from the Dome Car,” a track from Miller's You Can See Everything album

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Auditions for Amahl and the Night Visitors Oct 4 and 5

The Soo Opera Theatre announces auditions for Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti.

This one act vocal work tells a heartwarming story of a crippled boy named Amahl (Boy Soprano) and his mother who are visited by three kings (Tenor, Baritone & Bass) on their way to Bethlehem. They are also visited by the shepherds (SATB chorus) and a lovely dance piece is included in this work. The production will be directed by Dave Rhinard of DeTour and Karen Hughes of Pickford. Amahl and the Night Visitors will be performed in Cedarville Dec. 3rd, 4th, and Dec. 6th in Sault Ste. Marie.

The casting for Amahl and the Night Visitors are: One boy soprano in the role of Amahl (Age 10-12); Kaspar, a king – Tenor; Melchior, a king – Baritone; Balthazar, a king – Bass baritone; A Page – Bass; SATB Chorus of all ages, and 10-12 Dancers.

Auditions are Sunday, October 4th 2:00-4:00 at Cedarville High School and Monday, October 5th 7:00-9:00 at Soo Theatre Project in Studio D.

Soo Opera Theatre presents Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti performed in Cedarville Dec. 3rd, 4th, and Dec. 6th in Sault Ste. Marie. For additional information please contact the Soo Theatre Project at (906) 632-1930 or www.sootheatre.org. Soo Theatre Project, 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. You may also contact (906) 647-8101.

Come, join, and support your local arts by auditioning for this heartwarming tale!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Rotary Show of Shows Returns Sep 27

Soo Theatre Project presents the second annual Rotary Show of Shows Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 pm. For the second time the Sault Ste. Marie Rotary Club and the Chippewa Sunrise Rotary club’s team up to present this amazing variety show. Favorite local performers, singers, dancers, and players from STARS join Rotary members onstage for the performance. This annual event is a benefit for the Soo Theatre Project and will feature numbers from our wonderful summer season and much more! (See event poster)

The stars include Dennis Brooks, Bill and Brian Stanaway performing as Second Wind; and Footlights and friends and Dianna George. Tricia and Kurt Huebschman, Jim Schmidt with Mark and Sharon San Angelo will recreate scenes from the summer smash hit Oliver! The list also includes amazing singers Karen Hughes, Trisha Wells, Lola Kennedy, Maureen Delaney-Lehman, pianist and singer Ronda McGreevy, this year’s International Idol winner Danielle Petingalo, violinists Josh and Sam Scott, local favorite Gentleman George Snider, the fabulous Lock Cities Chorus of Sweet Adelines, and more. The local Rotary clubs and the best local performers combine their talents for a magical time for the area residents.

The second annual Rotary Show of Shows returns for one day only, Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 2:00 pm. Tickets for adults are $10, students are $5. For additional information, please contact the Soo Theatre Project at (906) 632-1930 or www.sootheatre.org. Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. This benefit for the Soo Theatre Project will be helping them continue entertaining you year after year. Come, join, and support the Soo Theatre Project.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Open House For New STARS Annex Sep 9

STARS is expanding!

STARS (Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios) and Soo Theatre have expanded across the street, now sharing space with Austin’s Oak. About three weeks ago the dividing wall went up and the work commenced. Dianna George, Soo Theatre founder and STARS Dance Director, and many dedicated volunteers have been putting in the hours and hours of work to make this new space a beautiful addition to the STARS studios. STARS has been expanding in student enrollment since its inception four years ago.

An Open House for the STARS annex Studio E will be on Wednesday, September 9th at 4:00 p.m. in the newly renovated studio space across the street from STARS and Soo Theatre Project.

More classes, more teachers, more fun! Joining STARS teaching staff are:

  • Martina Vollman, Ballroom;
  • Caroline Behling, Scottish Country Dance;
  • Kaley Darga, Modern, African Dance, Senior Adult Dance, and Tap;
  • Courtney Bailey, Tap, Lyrical/Jazz, Ballet, and Acrobatics; and
  • Lea Cilluffo, Hip Hop and Jazz.
Darga, Bailey, and Cilluffo are members of the LSSU Dance Company directed by Deb Choszczyk. Martina Vollman has been teaching ballroom for the past three years and Kaley Darga has been teaching at STARS for the past two years.

Not only are there more dance classes and teachers, other STARS classes have been added:
  • Lee Carlson has added chair yoga for adults to her yoga class list this fall;
  • Dianna George will be teaching Acting and Stagecraft;
  • Jillena Rose will be teaching Show and Tell: experiment with mixed visual media and writing.
Other classes that have been added are Daytime Dancing for Adults, Beginning Tap for Adults, Modern, Lyrical/Jazz, Scottish Country Dance, and Acrobatics.

Second Skin Dancewear from Marquette will be at STARS, Sunday, September 13 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Studio C. They will have shoes, tights, and leotards available for purchase. If you know what you want, order ahead by phone (1-800-906-7546) or visit their website at www.secondskinshop.com

STARS still offers 45 dance classes, 16 new, plus classes in Musical Theatre, Piano, Acting, Yoga, Tunes for Toddlers, Voice, and Creative Writing. Private lessons are offered in Violin, Cello, Harp, Voice, Woodwinds, and Brass. The performing groups include: the Recorder consort, Intermediate Youth Orchestra, Senior Youth Orchestra, Flute Choir, Not Quite Ready for Prime Time Players Adult Strings, and the Footlight Dance Theatre. You can find the STARS Fall 2009 Class Brochure and Student Registration Form on the web.

The Studio E Open House is Wednesday, September 9th at 4:00 p.m. at STARS Annex Studio E, 539 Ashmun Street in Sault Ste. Marie, MI across from the Soo Theatre Project. Further information please contact the Soo Theatre Project (906) 632-1930 and/or website www.sootheatre.org. Come, support, and join the Soo Theatre Project and STARS.

Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) is a community arts center offering instruction in music, dance, theater, visual arts and yoga for students of all ages. STARS is a program of the Soo Theatre Project, partially housed in the historic Soo Theatre complex.


*Also do not forget The Cast of Beatlemania coming to the Soo Theatre Project for one night only on Thursday, September 10th at 7:30 pm. Admission is $20.00. Broadway to Sault Ste. Marie, this Broadway cast has been touring the world for years. They sound and look just like the Beatles! This two-act performance will bring you back to the days of the frenzy known as “Beatlemania.” They will be performing such hits as "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "A Hard Day’s Night," "Sgt. Pepper," "Hey Jude," plus many more of your favorites. For more information, see our previous posting.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Eric Shaw Returns to the Soo Theatre for An Evening of Gershwin Sept 3


Once again, international tenor Eric Shaw, native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, returns home for a benefit for the Soo Theatre Project in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Now based in Toronto, Mr. Shaw will appear Thursday night, September 3, in a production that features the music of George and Ira Gershwin.

Shaw said of the show in a recent interview with the Sault (Ontario) Star:

"I enjoy this music for the cleverness of the lyrics and unfailingly tuneful music. Both the accompaniment and music are quite sophisticated, but come across as fun and breezy. These are real entertainment pieces that have staying power due to their timeless themes and hummable melodies."
See more of the article from the Sault Star website.

The curtain rises on An Evening of Gershwin on Thursday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m. Mike Dempsey, originally from Sault, Michigan, arranged the music and will play piano and sing in the production. In addition to Mr. Shaw, Mike's friends for the Soo Theatre performance will feature: soprano Karen Hughes Beacom, resident opera singer, voice teacher and music director at Soo Theatre Project and STARS; baritone John Young who often sings in Mike Dempsey's productions; and soprano Maureen Delaney-Lehman and mezzo-soprano Trisha Wells, both of Sault, Michigan. Tom Ewing and Tom Lehman, also of Sault, Michigan, will narrate.

Tickets are available at the Soo Theatre Box Office at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Stop by or call (906) 632-1930. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, $5 for kids 12 and under. Group discounts are available. Event poster      More about the show...

Please join us for an evening of delightful music and support the Soo Theatre Project!

Friday, August 28, 2009

One Night Only! The Cast of Beatlemania

The Soo Theatre Project proudly presents The Cast of Beatlemania on Thursday, September 10th at 7:30 pm.

The Cast recreates the sights and sounds of The Beatles so faithfully that you will recall when the world was engulfed in the most pleasant fever of all: BEATLEMANIA! In this two-act show, three different costumes coincide with the changing music and times. The show includes such Beatles classics as "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "A Hard Day’s Night," "Sgt. Pepper," "Hey Jude," plus many more of your favorites.


The Cast 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. The Cast were selected from thousands of musicians who auditioned from all over the U.S. for the Broadway show, Beatlemania. Now they bring the magic of The Beatles, live on stage, to you!

Don't miss this one-night-only performance at the Soo Theatre, Thursday, September 10th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 and are available in advance or at the door at the Soo Theatre, 534 Ashmun St. in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. For further information, call the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visit our website at www.sootheatre.org.


Check out The Cast of Beatlemania website: www.moptops.com

Soo Theatre Season Update: New Details

Soo Theatre 2009 Season Update

The Soo Theatre Project's Great 2009 Summer Season continues through October 17. Here are the upcoming season events. Stay tuned to our newsblog for more information on these events.

CHICAGO

Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29 at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, August 30 at 2:30 pm.
Admission is $16.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors (62 and up), $8.00 for students (High School & College undergrads ID). Group rates available.

The EUP Arts Council production of the Broadway Musical Chicago will be performed at the Soo Theatre August 28, 29, and 30. This production of Chicago is performed by all local EUP talent. Retired Rev. Dave Henderson of the Presbyterian Church in Sault Ste. Marie will be performing on stage in this Broadway classic along with Karen Hughes, Trisha Wells, Dave Rhinard, and many more locally talented performers.

An Evening of Gershwin
Thursday, September 3 at 7:30 pm.
Admission is $15 for Adults, $12 for Students and Seniors, and $5 for children 12 and under. Group rates available.

Mike Dempsey, originally from Sault Ste. Marie, arranged the music and will be playing piano and singing in the production. Mike's friends for the Soo Theatre performance will feature Karen Hughes, resident opera singer, voice teacher and music director at Soo Theatre Project and STARS; Tenor Eric Shaw who is originally from Sault, Ontario and now sings all over the world and teaches in Toronto; Baritone John Young who sings often in Mike Dempsey's productions; and the talented singers Maureen Delaney-Lehman and Trisha Wells, both whom have music backgrounds and live in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. All of these performers, except John Young have been in previous Soo Theatre Broadway and opera productions. Two local personalities, Tom Ewing and Tom Lehman will be narrating.

The Cast of Beatlemania

Thursday, September 10 at 7:30 pm.
Admission is $20.

The CAST 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. This two-act show presents the Beatles in all of their glory through all of their memorable songs and how they got there.

Rotary Show of Shows
Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 pm.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Rotary Show of Shows is a benefit for the Soo Theatre Project. This show includes all local talent from the summer season. Many will grace the stage from dancing, comedy in between and of course music! Please help the Soo Theatre Project by taking a seat, relaxing, and enjoying the entertainment of familiar faces.

Don Ross and Brooke Miller
Friday, October 16 at 7:30 pm.
Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Group rates available.

Don Ross and Brooke Miller come back to the Soo Theatre stage. Don Ross, Canadian finger-style guitarist, is noted for the emotion and intensity of his playing as well as his use of extended technique. Ross's music borrows from blues, jazz, folk, and classical music, creating a style that he describes as "heavy wood". Brooke Miller is also a Canadian artist hailing from Prince Edward Island. Once a punk band singer that had opened for such bands as Modest Mouse and Sloan, she shifted to a more mature sound. Miller’s sound has been classified as a more refined simmering that only a few years and intense devotion to both perfecting serious craft and living meaningful life can bring to her and her music.

Rocky Horror Picture Show
Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 pm and 12 midnight
Admission is $5.

This cult classic film is the first film the Soo Theatre Project has had since it was a movie theatre ten years ago. This 1975 British musical comedy film parodies science fiction and horror films. Still in limited release nearly 34 years after its premiere, it has the longest-running theatrical release in film history. More information will be released closer to the show date.

Further information contact the Soo Theatre Project at (906) 632-1930 or visit us online at www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located on 534 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Come, join, and support the Soo Theatre Project!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Gershwin Extravaganza To Benefit Soo Theatre Sept 3


"Native son" Mike Dempsey is coming home to Sault Ste. Marie to present a musical program at the Soo Theatre, An Evening of Gershwin, on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7:30 p.m. Event poster

An accomplished pianist, arranger, composer, and director, Mike is using both local and imported talent in his Gershwin show. There will be two narrators, Tom Ewing of WSOO and Tom Lehman, Kinross dentist, who was Emile in South Pacific on the Soo Theatre stage last summer. Dr. Lehman will be playing the part of Ira Gershwin.

Singers taking part in the evening's musical extravaganza are: Karen Hughes Beacom, soprano; Trisha Wells, mezzo-soprano; Maureen Delaney-Lehman, soprano; Eric Shaw, tenor; and John Young, baritone. The women all live in this area; Shaw was born and raised here, but lives now in Toronto; and Young is from Toronto and now lives in the Detroit area. Mike Dempsey, who wrote the script and put together an evening of song, will be accompanying everyone on piano and doing some narration of his own.

Michael Dempsey, pianist, arranger, composer, and director

Mike was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. He attended St. Mary’s and Sault High Schools, received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University, and then served in the U.S. Army. He has been the choral director at both Pontiac Central and Pontiac Northern High Schools, and also served as choir director at several Oakland County area churches.

In addition, he has been music director for such large-scale musicals as South Pacific, Oklahoma, Carousel, The King and I, The Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, Superman, Charley Brown, Mame, My Fair Lady, Gypsy, Sweet Charity, Lil’ Abner, and The Sound of Music. In 1995 he founded a singing group, “Mike Dempsey & Friends.” In addition to writing the script and arranging the music, Mike serves as pianist. This small group has performed composer-theme musicals throughout Southeastern Michigan. Later in September Mike and one of his singers will be paying tribute to Judy Garland with an evening of her songs at Oakland University. He would like to bring his Garland show to the Soo Theatre in 2010.

As a published composer he is a member of ASCAP. Recently, he was chosen to accompany Tony award-winner Anna Maria Alberghetti in a Detroit area performance. He is delighted to return to his hometown and the Soo Theatre, where he has many happy memories.

Anyone who has lived in Sault Ste. Marie for a few decades may recall Mike’s parents, Athaleen & Tom, and brother Patrick (Sault High 1959).

All of this fine talent is being donated as a generous fund-raiser for the Soo Theatre Project, Inc. STP's Board of Directors and staff invite the community, its residents, and its visitors to come and enjoy the beautiful Gershwin songs.

Tickets are available at the Soo Theatre Box Office at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Stop by or call (906) 632-1930. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, $5 for kids 12 and under. Group discounts are available.

Chicago at the Soo Theatre Aug 28-30


Soo Theatre Project is pleased to welcome the EUP Fine Arts Council production of the Tony-Award-winning Broadway musical Chicago August 28, 29, and 30 following its successful run at their home theatre in DeTour. This is the fourth time EUP Fine Arts Council has brought their productions to the Soo Theatre stage. Chicago is directed by David Rhinard, produced by Cindy Verruso and Susie Rhinard, music director Karen Hughes, and choreographed by Sherry Bailey.

There are many familiar faces filling this performance of Chicago from all over the EUP and Ontario.

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario resident Rachelle Deresti will be playing the piano for the Soo Theatre presentation of Chicago. Deresti is the music director at the Little Stone Church on Mackinac Island and teaches at the Algoma Conservatory in the winter months. Deresti was the pianist for Soo Theatre’s 2007 summer production of Annie. Rachelle earned her performance degree in piano from the University of Toronto.

Karen Hughes is Little Mary Sunshine who plays her role primarily from the bandstand where she does her news reporting as well as keyboard playing. Hughes originally prepared the singers in musical rehearsals and is excited to see the progress of so many of the performers in the cast.

Jesse Strieter, the amazing and talented 16-year old from Pickford leads the rhythm section of the band. Jesse is no stranger to the Soo Theatre having been in It's a Grand Night for Singing, Die Fledermaus, and Oliver.

Trisha Wells plays Mona, one of the murderesses on the cell block. Casey Strieter, the beloved Bet in Oliver, takes on her first stage managing role and keeps things organized backstage and onstage. Director Dave Rhinard appears as the debonair lawyer, Billy Flynn. He will 'razzle dazzle' you as he aids the girls in the pursuit of their innocence. Nick and Julia Meier, seen on the Soo Theatre stage in South Pacific, add strong performances to the cast with their portrayals of Amos Hart - "Cellophane" and Mama Morton - "When you're good to Mama".

Chicago at the Soo Theatre is Friday, August 28th and Saturday, August 29th at 8:00 pm and Sunday, August 30th at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $16.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors (62 and up), $8.00 for students (High School & College undergrads ID). Discounts for pre-paid groups are $1.00 off each for groups of 25 or more, $2.00 off each for groups of 50 or more, and $3.00 off each for 75 or more.

For further information contact the Soo Theatre Project at (906) 632-1930 or www.sootheatre.org. Soo Theatre Project 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Soo Theatre does advise that Chicago is not suitable for elementary students.

Come, join, and support the Soo Theatre Project!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Soo Theatre Project Expands STARS Dance Program

Soo Theatre/STARS is pleased to announce the expansion of its dance program with a new studio across the street from STARS. The north side of Austin’s Oak at 539 Ashmun has been transformed into a large, modern dance space known as STARS studio E. This additional instructional space allows STARS to increase its offerings to 45 dance classes. In addition to a full program of movement, pre-ballet, and ballet classes, STARS will be offering tap, lyrical, jazz, modern, hip hop, acrobatics, ballroom and Scottish Country Dance. Joining Dianna George, Director of dance, will be dance instructors Courtney Bailey, Caroline Behling, Lea Cilluffo, and Martina Vollman.

Fall classes in music include Tunes for Toddlers, Elementary Musical Theater, Voice Performance Class, and Beginning Piano Classes. Private lessons are available in violin, viola, cello, harp, piano, voice, flute, clarinet, and brass instruments. Performing groups set to meet are Youth Chorus for middle and high school students, Intermediate and Senior Youth Orchestras, Flute Choir, “Not Quite Ready for Prime Time” string ensemble, and Recorder Consort.

Acting, Handmade Book Workshops, and Creative Writing offer opportunities for young people to explore their creative side. Yoga classes for teens and adults will meet at morning, lunchtime, and evening times. A new class, Chair Yoga, is designed for seniors and other adults with limited mobility.

Registration is open now for the 14-week fall term which begins Sept. 14. Registrations are taken in person at the Soo Theatre/STARS office, 534 Ashmun St., weekdays 10 am to 6 pm.Brochures listing class times and tuition fees are available at STARS or on the web at sootheatre.org. For more information, call 632-1930 or visit the website, www.sootheatre.org.

Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) is a community arts center offering instruction in music, dance, theater, visual arts and yoga for students of all ages. STARS is a program of the Soo Theatre Project, partially housed in the historic Soo Theatre complex.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Guitar Studio Rock Camp August 18


GUITAR STUDIO ROCK CAMP

Soo Theatre Project presents Guitar Studio Rock Camp, Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 7:00 pm. This all student show is presented by Rock Camp Director, guitar, and bass instructor Joey Beairl. Beairl was assisted by drum instructor, Mike Vollman. Joey’s wife, Amy helped with vocals and other band advice. This is a performance of the students involved with Guitar Studio Rock Camp. Performing on Soo Theatre’s stage is a wonderful experience for these up and coming performers.

The students work together to pick their band name and their song list. They learn their parts in lessons and attend weekly rehearsals starting in June. The first two summers of Rock Camp led to one performance for each of the bands. Because these were successful, and the students were ready to handle more, additional venues were sought, resulting eventually in five performances each summer. Summer 2009 provided 4 brand new venues including the Chippewa County Relay for Life, Mackinaw City Crossings, Soo Theatre Project, Family Day at the Satisfied Frog, and a Rock Camp road trip to Foggy’s in Christmas.

Three bands will be performing on Tuesday, August 18, Unleashed, 747, and Intrepid. Unleashed: Isaac Terrian, vocals; Eli Reilly, guitar; Maddy Lamma, bass; Chris VerHaagh, drums. 747: Mike Pascoe, guitar and vocals; Tyler Wall, guitar; Jack Slater, bass; Joe North, drums. Intrepid: Donnie Hank, guitar; Nick Pavlat, guitar; Mitch Goetz, bass and vocals; Kenny Schirer, drums.

Come, support, and join in the fun on Tuesday, August 18th at 7:00 pm. Admission at the door is $5.00. Guitar Studio students with proper identification are free. Further information contact Soo Theatre Project (906) 632-1930 or online at www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located on 534 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Don't Miss Così fan tutte: “Women Are Like That” Aug 6, 7, and 9

Chorus members and Guglielmo (John Arnold) at the movies in the Soo Theatre Project's production of Così fan tutte.

Soo Theatre Project presents Così fan tutte also known as Women Are Like That. This comic opera performed in English is by W.A. Mozart. Così fan tutte is directed and produced by Karen Hughes and Soo, Ontario’s Timothy Murphy. Cedarville’s music man Alan Jacobus will be conducting an array of local talent in the 22-person orchestra. The six principal characters are Karen Hughes Beacom as Fiordiligi, Trisha Wells as Dorabella, John Arnold as Guglielmo, Christopher Hollingsworth as Ferrando, Rosemary Hollingsworth as Despina, and Bradley Williard as Don Alfonso. For more information about the principals, see our previous post. Also on stage will be an all-local chorus. Two weeks ago you may have seen most of the chorus members performing at Soo Theatre’s Vocal Gala.

Così fan tutte is set in present day Sault Ste. Marie, where two Coast Guard men, Guglielmo and Ferrando, are tricked into a bet by the crafty Don Alfonso. He bets them that their faithful fiancées, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, are fickle, like all women are. The bet is set for the men to be called off to duty and return disguised as Canadian hockey players. The sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella are given the bad news about their men; the four have a heartfelt farewell and are left without their men. Don Alfonso is afraid that Despina, the sisters’ chambermaid, will see past Guglielmo and Fernando’s disguise so he bribes her into helping him win the bet. The sisters meet the two Canadian hockey players who instantly begin courting them, but resist because they are faithful to their fiancées. The Canadian hockey players do not give up and think of many crafty ways to win Fiordiligi and Dorabella’s affection with the help of Don Alfonso and Despina. All the while the sisters are struggling not to fall for these new men. The hockey players end up winning the affection of the sisters, but what happens when Guglielmo and Ferrando come back from war and notice their women have fallen for two other men? Come to Soo Theatre Project Thursday and Friday, August 6 and 7 at 7:30pm and/or Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 pm to find out what happens to these couples.

Così fan tutte is performed in English and is set to happen in one day’s time. This comedic opera will have you falling over in your seat with laughter while at the same time have you wooed by the lovely vocal abilities of these professional singers.

Admission for Thursday and Friday, August 6th and 7th at 7:30 pm is $18 for adults, $16 in advance for adults, $16 for seniors, $10 for students, and $5 for children. Sunday, August 9th at 2:00 pm is $15 for adults, $13 in advance for adults, $13 for seniors, $10 for students, and $5 for children. Soo Theatre’s office hours are Monday – Thursday 10 – 6 and Friday 10 – 4. Any questions please call (906) 632-1930 or visit their website at www.sootheatre.org. Please come, support, and join Soo Theatre Project!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Così fan tutte Equals Lots of Fun at the Soo Theatre Aug 6, 7, and 9

The cast of Così fan tutte was in full swing at a recent Soo Opera Theatre fundraiser: (front row, L-R) John Arnold, Trisha Wells, and Bradley Williard; and (back row, L-R) Christopher Hollingsworth, Karen Hughes Beacom, and Rosemary Hollingsworth.
The cast of Così fan tutte has arrived at the Soo Theatre and rehearsals are in full swing! No less than six professional opera singers will grace the Soo Theatre stage in Mozart’s comic opera, which will be performed in English on August 6, 7, and 9. This two-act comedy will have you rolling with laughter while being blown away by the astounding vocal abilities of these six professional performers.

This year’s featured performers come from around the United States and right here in Sault Ste. Marie.

New York Bass Baritone Bradley Williard (Don Alfonso) joins the Soo Theatre Project for the first time with his comic rendition of the master of ceremonies.

Soprano Rosemary Hollingsworth makes her third appearance at Soo Theatre this season as Despina, the charming and somewhat devious chambermaid to the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella. Hollingsworth appeared as the lovable chambermaid Adele in last season’s Soo Theatre production of Die Fledermaus.

Baritone John Arnold, as Guglielmo, comes to us from Atlanta, Georgia. Arnold was Count Almaviva in Italy last summer singing opposite soprano Karen Hughes Beacom as Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro.

Illinois State University Department Chair and tenor Chris Hollingsworth (Ferrando) made his debut with the Theatre last season as the featured tenor in A Grand Night for Singing.

Resident artists Karen Hughes Beacom and Trisha Wells will be playing the roles of Fiordiligi and Dorabella, the two sisters who are put to the test by the cynic, Don Alfonso. Wells recently “wowed” audiences as the fiery Nancy in Soo Theatre’s production of Oliver!

Così fan tutte is being directed and produced by Soo Theatre’s own Karen Hughes Beacom and Canadian resident Timothy Murphy. Alan Jacobus of Cedarville is the conductor of the Così fan tutte orchestra. The members of this 22-person orchestra all reside locally, hailing from the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Canada. This performance also includes a chorus of EUP and Canadian residents.

Do not miss this comic opera being performed in English. On Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th at 7:30 pm admission is $18 for adults and $16 in advance. On Sunday, August 9th at 2:00 pm admission is $15 for adults and $13 in advance. Student, senior, and group discounts for all shows are available at the Soo Theatre Project. Their hours are Monday through Thursday 10 am to 6 pm and Friday 10 am to 4 pm. Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. For tickets and information, call (906) 632-1930.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Soo Theatre's First Live Webcast

History was made once again at the historic Soo Theatre on the night of Thursday, July 16 at the Switchback Concert: our venue went global with our first live internet broadcast.

Here's what Brian FitzGerald and Marty McCormack, who make up the musical partnership known as Switchback, said about the event on their website:

"A milestone was accomplished on July 16, when we had our first live web concert and chat room on the WayGood website. For those of you who missed it, it was an exciting evening at the Soo Theatre for not only Brian and Marty, but the people in the audience. They were told that they were part of a bigger event with people watching and commenting from Germany to Florida.
"Technical difficulties prevented [opening act] the Syzygy boys from being broadcast, but it was a "go" just as Switchback walked onstage. When Marty stopped the concert to announce that we were being broadcast live online all over the world, you could feel the excitement in the theater ratchet up a notch. ...It was a really great night, lots of energy transferred back and forth between the stage, the live audience and the online fans!"
We totally agree! If you missed it, check out the archived concert below!

Archived SyncLive Concert Video: Switchback performing at the Soo Theatre in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, July 16, 2009)

Monday, July 27, 2009

Aug 1: Keith Stickley Will Magically Entertain You


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! Keith will appear at the Soo Theatre on Saturday, August 1st at 7:30 p.m. Admission is: $12 for adults, $10 in advance; $8 for children, $5 in advance.

In 1999 Keith moved to Las Vegas to pursue his career in entertainment and enroll at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Throughout college, Keith gained valuable experience performing at local casinos and corporate events. It is during this time Keith started receiving offers to perform overseas. He was soon found in airports around the world on his time off from school bringing his blend of comedy and magic to international audiences!

Still in his mid-20’s, Keith has become one of the busiest comedy magicians in the country, performing more than 100 shows per year at some of the largest casino, resort, and outdoor entertainment venues in the country. Influenced heavily by the comedians and magicians of yesteryear, Keith has blended classic effects of magic that haven’t been seen in decades with cutting-edge comedy to create a unique show while making his audience crack up the entire way!

Keith’s credits include three tours in Hong Kong, five years as an official magician representing ConAgra (over 200 performances), and many years of experience in outdoor fair/festival entertainment.

Keith’s Las Vegas credits include a run at Fitzgerald’s Casino, featured in the revue show Two Girls and a Guy, followed by five months of performances at the Flamingo, Las Vegas. His tours take him to over 50 cities throughout the U.S. annually. Other appearances include concerts featuring the Neville Brothers and The Charlie Daniels Band as well as appearing on TV for the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon.

Come on down and prepare to be entertained! Tickets are available at the Soo Theatre Office or at the door. For more information, call the Soo Theatre at (906) 632-1930 or go to our website at sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre is located at 534 Ashmun St., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Friday, July 10, 2009

And the 2009 International Idol is...Danielle Petingalo!

International Idol '09 Danielle Petingalo

The scores are in! The International Idol 09’ Vocal Competition Series is completed! Danielle Petingalo of Kincheloe is this year's International Idol!

Week Five went through with three contestants: Corrine Koenemann of Sault Ste. Marie, Payton Mastaw of Sault Ste. Marie, and Danielle Petingalo of Kincheloe. Corrine, Payton, and Danielle were all in close competition with each other. Each managed to have a unique edge to their performance that showed off their personalities well. Their challenge for the fifth week was to perform a song by someone they looked up to that portrayed their best singing and performing skills.

This year Lake Street Studio, owned and operated by Soo Theatre’s own Technical Director, Taylor Brugman, donated three studio time prizes. This year the prizes were: third place $100, second place $200, and first place $500 of studio time at Brugman’s Lake Street Studio in Brimley.

Judges Dennis Brooks and Gentleman George Snider and MC Mark SanAngelo were ecstatic to announce the three winners. Danielle Petingalo took first place, Corrine Koenemann took second place, and Payton Mastaw took third place. The competition was close for the three contestants but, at the end of the night, Danielle Petingalo came through with the highest scores in pitch, timing, presence, interpretation, originality, and quality.

Thanks to everyone for participating in this exciting competition and congratulations to all of the winners!

Back row (L-R): Competition Sponsor Jennifer Compo of All Good Soundz, Judge Dennis Brooks, Judge Gentleman George Snider, Master of Ceremonies Mark San Angelo, and Competition Sponsor Taylor Brugman of Lake Street Studio. Front row (L-R): International Idol Winners Payton Mastaw (3rd place), Danielle Petingalo (1st place), and Corrine Koenemann (2nd place).
Week 5 Photos

Photos in this post are courtesy of Tom Ewing.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Switchback Performs at the Soo Theatre July 16


The Chicago band Switchback will be performing a benefit concert for the Soo Theatre Project at the Soo Theatre on Thursday, July 16th at 7:30pm. Opening for Switchback will be Syzygy, a young energetic acoustic folk/rock band from Northern Michigan that has been playing shows and festivals in Michigan and Canada for the last 5 years. This benefit performance for the Soo Theatre Project is part of the 2009 Soo International Arts Festival.

Comprised of Marty McCormack on bass and vocals and Brian Fitzgerald on guitar and vocals, Switchback plays a blend of their own original Americana and Celtic songs, plus a variety of cover tunes from the Beatles, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Johnny Cash and more. Switchback has toured the world over the last 12 months, including performances at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Matt Molloy's pub in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, concerts and wedding in the Netherlands, several shows in Ontario and a Celtic festival in Hawaii. The duo also performed some of their heart stomping original Irish tunes backed by the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra at the Star Plaza Theater in Indiana last year. "No matter what the venue or where the location, we just love sharing our music with folks," said McCormack.

One of the high points for the band last year was the award they received from the Irish Music Association. Switchback was named the 2008 Top Duo for festivals, concerts and pubs in the US, Ireland, the EU and the United Kingdom. This was in addition to the many awards they have received over the years for their songwriting, including being selected as one of "Performing Songwriter Magazine’s" top 10 Independent albums of the year for "The Fire That Burns", produced by Grammy-winning producer Lloyd Maines. Switchback has produced ten albums over the last 15 years and they are currently putting in studio time for the next two, due out in the fall of 2009.

Tickets for Switchback tickets are on sale now at the Soo Theatre box office, located at 534 Ashmun St. in Sault Ste. Marie. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 10-6 and Friday 10-4. Tickets for this benefit are $12 in advance and $15 at the door on the day of the show. Seniors and students are only $10 in advance or at the door.

Please come out for a great night of entertainment to support the Soo Theatre Project and these very talented musicians. For more information, call (906) 632-1930 or visit the website at www.sootheatre.org

Find out more at their website: Switchback

PDF version of the concert poster

YouTube Video: Switchback performing "Wild Irish Polkas" at a recent concert in Elk Rapids, Michigan (June 30, 2009)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

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!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

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 Ca: 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

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

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.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

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

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