Register Now for STARS Winter/Spring Classes!

Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) is now accepting registrations for the upcoming Winter/Spring Term. The upcoming 18-week session that begins in January includes 53 class offerings in dance, music, musical theatre, yoga, tai chi, and floor tumbling. Specialty classes, such as photography, watercolor and more are offered for shorter durations throughout the term. Multiple faculty members offer private lessons in voice and a wide range of musical instruments. The classes and private lessons offer something for everyone of all ages.

Stop by 534 Ashmun Street or call (906) 632-1930 for more information or visit www.sootheatre.org for a class schedule (available here).

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.

STARS 2011 Winter-Spring Schedule is Now Available

The weekly schedule for the STARS 2011 Winter-Spring term is now available online.

Our December 2010 Newsletter Is Now Available

Our December 2010 Newsletter is now available online in PDF format (1.8MB, updated color version).

STARS Holiday Events

Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios is bursting with holiday spirit and will be presenting two programs in December for audiences of all ages to enjoy. The annual Candlelight Christmas concert (see poster) featuring STARS music students and performing groups along with the LSSU Choir will be held on December 11th at 2:00pm. This delightful concert will be held in St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral located at 320 E. Portage Avenue with admission by donation. Be sure to bring your MESSIAH score to join this talented group while singing the HALLELUJAH CHORUS with the orchestra.

The Second Annual STARS Nutcracker Tea (see poster) will be held on December 18th for children ages 4-10. You will have two chances to be charmed by the talented dance students of STARS with tea parties being held at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. The performances will take place in the Studio E annex located at 539 Ashmun Street, across the street from the STARS office. Tea and cookies will be served and each child under 10 will receive a small gift. Admission for the tea is only $5 and tickets can be purchased in advance at the STARS office. Seating is limited so hurry in to secure your spot!

Happy holidays!

www.sootheatre.org

Watercolor Classes at STARS

STARS is pleased to announce that they will be offering additional 5-week Watercolor Painting classes beginning the week of November 15th. After a very successful first class, they have expanded their offerings to now include a Watercolor for Kids along with the Watercolor Techniques class, taught by local artist Randy Krause.

Watercolor for Kids for $60 will be offered on Saturdays at 12:30pm.

Watercolor Techniques for $100 will be offered twice, on Saturdays at 2pm or Tuesdays at 6:30pm.

For more information or to sign up please call 632-1930 or stop in at 534 Ashmun St. Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

Website: www.sootheatre.org

Show Cancellation

The Soo Theatre Project regretfully announces the cancellation of the Rocky Horror Picture Show which was scheduled for October 8^th and 9^th.

We apologize for any inconvenience and disappointment caused by the cancellation and look forward to offering this show again next year.

3rd Annual Rotary Show of Shows To Benefit the Soo Theatre Sun Oct 3

The Soo Theatre Project wraps up its 2010 show season with the third annual benefit variety show presented by the Sault Ste. Marie Rotary Club and the Chippewa Sunrise Rotary Club to be held on Sunday, October 3rd at 2:00 p.m. The Rotary Show of Shows is comprised of highlights from all the productions presented during the Soo Theatre’s recently concluded summer season.

The 2010 Rotary Show of Shows will feature Susan Askwith, Hollyann Beck, Karen Hughes-Beacom, Dennis Brooks, Maureen Delaney-Lehman, Dianna George, Matt Gilbertson, Benjamin Gulder, Mya Hazley, Lola Kennedy, Whittney Laderoute, Wade Leppien, Becky McCauley, Karly McKee, Alyssa Morley, Meaghan Parker, Kellan Perron, Sara Pierce Meijerink, Kelsey Rambo, Mark San Angelo, Sharon San Angelo, Jim Schmidt, George Snyder, Dave Stanaway, Ginger Stratton, Casey Strieter, Melina Talentino, Mary Witucki, and Seth Witucki. Also performing will be the Footlight Dancers and Friends, directed by STARS Dance Director Dianna George.

Master of Ceremonies will be Tom Ewing, joined by special guests of the Sault Rotary Club, all of whom are very entertaining and will add a great deal of fun to the show. Additionally, there will be a special salute to the National Guard’s 1437th Engineering Company who recently returned from Iraq.

Don’t miss the last show of the Soo Theatre 2010 Season! The Rotary Show of Shows will be this Sunday, October 3rd at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for the general public are $10.00 and children 12 and under are $5.00. Please call (906) 632-1930 for more information or stop by 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to purchase tickets for the show. Our website is at www.sootheatre.org

Poster

Sault Symphony Orchestra Opens Season at Soo Theatre Sep 25

The Sault Symphony Orchestra presents
an Orchestral Kaleidoscope

The Sault Symphony Orchestra is excited to present an Orchestral Kaleidoscope to kick off their 38th Season. On September 25, the Soo Theatre in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will be filled with the sights and sounds of this rich and diverse concert event.

Orchestral Kaleidoscope offers a prismatic approach to both the repertoire and the physical movements of the orchestra. Conductor Dr. John Wilkinson leads the orchestra through a variety of classical and pops favorites, while the musicians themselves create a physical movement of sound as they journey through the theatre and the audience.

The diverse program includes such favorite classics as Antonio Vivaldi's “Concerto Grosso in B minor, Opus 3 No. 10” from L'Estro Armonico, Igor Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, W. A. Mozart's “Adagio” from Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, and Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky's “Finale” from Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 among many others.

This evening of music and movement also features a special performance of Firewagon Hockey, an original Canadian composition by Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario's own Stephen Mallinger. Audiences will also receive a special solo violin performance by this year's Kiwanis Shield Award winner, Victoria Jones, and they will delight in a variety of pops arrangements including a Star Wars medley and selections from Fiddler on the Roof.

When: September 25, 2010
Where: Soo Theatre, 534 Ashmun Street, Sault MI
When: 8pm
Cost: $32 (adults) and $12 (Students) (at par)

Also part of the 38th season, the Sault Symphony will present a screening of the Disney film Fantasia 2000, with a live orchestral soundtrack performance on November 13, as well as the full-stage production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas starting on December 8.

Tickets to Orchestral Kaleidoscope as well as all concerts for the 38th Season are on sale now online at www.saultsymphony.com, www.kctc.ca, or in person at the Community Theatre Centre Box Office in the Station Mall.

Family Fun with the Kid and Nic Show Sun Sep 19

The Soo Theatre Project and the Satisfied Frog Pub present
The Kid and Nic Show
Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 7:00 PM

The Soo Theatre Project, in conjunction with the Satisfied Frog Pub, are pleased to present the Kid and Nic Show of Orange County, Calfornia. This 1½ hour benefit show features Kirk (Kid) Tracy on tenor sax, harmonica and vocals; Nicole (Nic) Tracy on vocals and congas; Anna Stadlman on guitar; Daren Burns on bass; and Doug Birmingham on drums. Their performance is a mix of jazz, blues, rock, and comedy. Audience participation and dancing will be encouraged!

All proceeds benefit the Soo Theatre Project. Ticket prices are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students K-12. A maximum box office charge of $30 per family is available (restrictions apply). Please call (906) 632-1930 for more information or stop by 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to purchase tickets for the show. Website: www.sootheatre.org.

Historic Lake Superior Scenes in 3-D at Soo Theatre Sep 18!

A time machine to visit the shores of Lake Superior in the 1870s? Well, maybe not, but Jack Deo’s 3-D show “Gems of Lake Superior” is the next best thing, and it will be presented at the Soo Theatre in Sault, Michigan, Saturday, September 18, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Mr. Deo, owner of Superior Views in Marquette, Michigan, has assembled a collection of stereoscopic images taken by the photographer B. F. Childs in 1872. Mr. Childs hired a Chippewa guide, and toured the big lake in a Mackinac boat, capturing scenic views along the way with his large and complex camera. These images were sold to the public and were intended for use in a stereo-opticon viewer popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Thanks to a digitizing process now available, Deo can project them on a large screen so that spectators wearing 3-D glasses can enjoy them. In fact they may feel that they went along on that trip that took place almost one hundred forty years ago!

The show has been presented this summer to enthusiastic audiences in Marquette, Calumet, Duluth, Ashland, Wisconsin, and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Deo presents about 200 views, along with brief commentary. Scenes likely to be of special interest to Sault residents on both sides of the river include Native American camps at the rapids and Batchewana, the shipping canal (when there was only one lock), Montreal River, Gros Cap, and early Sault street scenes. Although not on Lake Superior, a few views of Mackinac Island will also be given in the Sault show, since the island is part of the neighborhood.

Speaking of the program, Deo said “Wearing 3-D glasses, this show lets you experience the depths of the mines, the heights of Thunder Cape, and a look through the caves of the Pictured Rocks. You will see breathtaking waterfalls and early views of the ships, mining camps, rivers and towns along the shore of Lake Superior. It’s art and history, too. Most early photographers were artists before taking up photography, so you’re going to see some incredible photographs.”

The matinee performance is at 2 p.m., and admission to that show will be free for students 18 years old and younger. (Children twelve and under must be accompanied by an adult.) This special admission is possible thanks to a grant from the Hudson Foundation of Sault, Michigan. The matinee show will include a few views aimed at a younger audience, but otherwise will be much the same as the 7:30 evening performance and thus adults may choose the time that fits their schedules best. Both shows will last about one hour.

Proceeds from the shows will benefit the two sponsoring organizations — the Chippewa County Historical Society, and the Soo Theatre Project. Adult admission is $10.00 for either show. Students 18 and under can get a free ticket for the matinee, or pay $5.00 for the evening show. All tickets will be available at the door. Advance tickets are available at the Soo Theatre Office and the Gift Shop at the Chippewa County Historical Society. Call 906-632-1930 for more information.

Stereo-optical image of Chief Kawbawgam

Don't miss The Kid and Nic Show Sept. 19!

The Soo Theatre Project presents
The Kid and Nic Show
Sunday, September 19th at 7:00 pm.

This Soo Theatre benefit show features Kirk (Kid) Tracy on tenor sax, harmonica and vocals; Nicole (Nic) Tracy on vocals and congas; Kevin Slagg on guitar; Daren Burns on bass; and Doug Birmingham on drums. Kid and Nic, from Orange County, California, met in the 90s; Kid was a working saxophonist who played live with The Shirelles, The Ink Spots, Dave Wakeling (The English Beat and General Public) and recorded the Epic Records debut release of the swing/ska group Save Ferris. Nicole was acting in Shakespearean plays, Neil Simon, various musicals, and she played a character on the television series Beverly Hills 90210.

This duo have been together ever since and haven’t looked back! Their interactive performances are high-energy with a blend of swingin' blues and rock and roll. They have been featured on The Discovery Channel and The Food Network's Bobby Flay's Food Nation. Their tours have taken them to as many as fifteen states from the House of Blues stage in Hollywood and Anaheim to clubs, casinos, theaters, festivals and special events across the country.

This family-friendly benefit show is sponsored in part by the Satisfied Frog Pub, with all proceeds to benefit the Soo Theatre Project, Inc. Tickets for the show are $10.00 for adults and kids 12 and under are $5.00. A maximum box office charge of $30 per family is available (restrictions apply). Please call (906) 632-1930 for more information or stop by 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to purchase tickets for the show. www.sootheatre.org.

Poster

One Night Only: An Evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein Sep 2

Soo Theatre Project presents

An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein
Thursday, September 2nd at 7:30 pm

Mike Dempsey and Friends will be having a Benefit performance for the Soo Theatre Project this Thursday, September 2, 2010. Joining Mr. Dempsey will be vocalists Eric Shaw from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; John Young of Farmington Hills, Michigan; Karen Hughes of Pickford, Michigan; and from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Maureen Delaney-Lehman, and Lola Kennedy. Radio personality Tom Ewing will be narrating, Eric Gadzinski will be playing percussion, and Gig Stewart will be playing the double bass. An Evening with Rodgers and Hammerstein is arranged by Mike Dempsey and directed by Stu Packard.

This one-night-only evening performance will include songs from South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Carousel, Oklahoma, and many more. Don’t miss An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein, a Benefit performance for the Soo Theatre Project.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 12 and under. Please call (906) 632-1930 for more information or stop by 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to purchase tickets for the show. www.sootheatre.org.

An Evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein on Sep 2nd

The Soo Theatre is proud to announce the return of Mike Dempsey, a highly acclaimed pianist, vocalist and published composer from Southeastern Michigan. Mr. Dempsey thrilled audience members last year with his compilation of “Gershwin”. This year’s production of “Rodgers and Hammerstein” is an evening of music composed by the well-known American songwriting duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

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

Additionally, he has been music director for such large-scale musicals as South Pacific, Oklahoma, Carousel, The King and I, Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, Superman, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Mame, My Fair Lady, Gypsy, Sweet Charity, Li’l Abner, and 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.



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 often sings in Mike Dempsey's productions; and singers Maureen Delaney-Lehman and Lola Kennedy, both of whom live in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. All of these performers, except John Young, have been in previous Soo Theatre Broadway and opera productions. Local radio personality Tom Ewing will be the evening’s narrator.

Admission for this lovely evening of quality entertainment is only $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 12 and under. Proceeds will benefit the Soo Theatre. Group discounts are available. Please call (906) 632-1930 for more information or stop by 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to purchase tickets for the show, which will be on Thursday, September 2nd at 7:30pm. Our website is at www.sootheatre.org.

Show Poster

Give My Regards to Broadway Comes to Ashmun Street Aug 21, 22

The Eastern Upper Peninsula Fine Arts Council of DeTour Village, Michigan is bringing their performance of Give My Regards to Broadway to the Soo Theatre stage August 21st at 7:30 pm and August 22nd at 2:00pm. The production is directed by Dave Rhinard and the music is directed by Lyle Juracek. Juracek, from the University of Iowa, was last summer's pianist for Chicago and will also be playing piano for this show.

A dynamic entertainer, playwright, producer, director, George M. Cohan practically invented American musical comedy. The Cohan hits--"Give My Regards to Broadway," "Mary," and "Grand Old Flag"--are timeless bits of Americana. This performance features all of these songs and more, all interwoven into a clever story by Shubert Fendrich about an struggling off-off Broadway theater company's attempts to raise money to put on a Cohan revival. An anonymous "Angel" puts up the money, but it gets complicated when a couple of comic mobsters show up with their hands out. Believe it or not, the show goes on, as evidenced by the final patriotic number of this show within a show.

The EUP Fine Arts Council’s show of this American classic includes James Bailey, Sherry Bailey, Emily Bosley, Paula Bosley, Janelle Dudeck, Kegan Fountain, Lyle Juracek, Lisa MacDonald, Allyson Mrozek, Dave Rhinard, Susie Rhinard, Jody Skinner, Heather Van Daele, and Bob Zahara.

EUPFAC’s Give My Regards to Broadway performance of this timeless show is great fun for the whole family and will be performed Saturday, August 21st at 7:30 pm and Sunday, August 22nd at 2:00 pm at the Soo Theatre. Tickets are $16.00 for adults, $14.00 for seniors, and $5 for students K-12, with proceeds benefiting both EUPFAC and the Soo Theatre Project. Please call (906) 632-1930 for more information or stop by 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to purchase tickets for the show. www.sootheatre.org.

Show Poster

Final Performance of Gianni Schicchi Sunday Aug 15: Don't Miss It!

Thursday’s opening performance of Gianni Schicchi, presented by Soo Theatre’s Opera Company, left audience members amazed. Director Tim Murphy of Sault, Ontario brought his usual finesse and unique interpretation to this outstanding production. The cast members, mostly comprised of local talent and joined by three professionals, were accompanied by a live orchestra.

Sunday, August 15th will be the final performance of this one-hour, one-act show. Ticket prices are $15.00 for general admission and $10.00 for students. Group rates are available by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930. Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Come, join, and support your local community at Soo Theatre Project. www.sootheatre.org

The Donati family (Tom Peer, Lola Kennedy, Maureen Delaney-Lehman, Robert Cooper, Seth Witucki, Matthew Gilbertson, Elizabeth Kinghorn, and Michael Irvine) patiently waiting to find out what they are getting in Buoso Donati’s will.

The two love birds Lauretta (Karen Hughes) and Rinuccio (Scott Wichael, Guest Performer) are singing of their love for one another.

Gianni Schicchi (Thomas Gunther, Guest Performer) planning on portraying Buoso Donati, “the greatest plan the world has ever seen.”

Soo Opera Theatre Presents Gianni Schicchi August 12, 13, and 15

A comedic opera, Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini, opens Thursday, August 12th at 7:30 p.m. at the Soo Theatre Project. This year the Soo Opera Theatre welcomes guest artists Thomas Gunther from Cincinnati, Ohio and Scott Wichael from Kansas City, Kansas. This is a one-act comedic production, performed in English, starring Thomas Gunther (in rehearsal photo at right) in the title role, Scott Wichael as Rinuccio, and Pickford resident Karen Hughes as Lauretta. Highlighting performers from the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Gianni Schicchi is directed by the talented Timothy Murphy, with Musical Director Karen Hughes, and a live orchestra conducted by Dr. John Wilkinson.

Set in modern day Manhattan, the Donati family is mourning the loss of their dear Buoso Donati, all the while hoping he has willed them his money, real estate, and the finest horse in Jersey. The family becomes outraged when they find out they are not included in Donati’s will. At the same time, Rinuccio is asking to marry Gianni Schicchi’s daughter Lauretta, but no one in the family will allow this since Lauretta does not have a trust fund and Schicchi’s past is not to their standards. Enter Schicchi, whom Rinuccio called, to assess the situation and see if there is a loophole in Donati’s will. Schicchi suggests an outlandish idea of him posing as Donati, alive, and re-writing the will.

Soo Opera Theatre’s Gianni Schicchi will have two evening performances on Thursday, August 12th and Friday, August 13th at 7:30 pm. A matinee performance will be on Sunday, August 15th at 2:00 pm. Ticket prices are $15.00 for general admission and $10.00 for students. Group rates are available by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930.

Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Come, join, and support your local community at Soo Theatre Project. www.sootheatre.org

Opera Returns Aug 12 to Soo Theatre with Gianni Schicchi

Opera returns to the Soo Theatre for its fifth season with another comedy in English. Professional singers take the stage this August to join the ranks of Soo Opera Theatre’s Artistic Director Karen Hughes and her local cast in this modern satire of a greedy Italian family.

Gianni Schicchi is a one-act comedy by Giacomo Puccini. Director Timothy Murphy of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario returns to the Soo Theatre for a second season, bringing his flair for comedic timing to the production. Baritone Thomas Gunther from Cincinnati, Ohio and tenor Scott Wichael from Kansas City, Missouri will both be making their Soo Theatre debut.

Karen Hughes and Patty Gartshore of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario have been preparing the singers and Dr. John Wilkinson is conducting the orchestra. Local singers (Sam Burdick, Bob Cooper, Maureen Delaney-Lehman, Matt Gilbertson, Michael Irvine, Lola Kennedy, Elizabeth Kinghorn, Meghan Lee, Mik Patton, Tom Peer, Jesse Strieter, Matt Zook) and orchestra members from the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario have been busy in rehearsal this month.

Set in present day New York, Buoso Donati has quietly passed away in bed. His relatives are mourning quite dramatically over his death; that is, until they find out they aren’t in the will. All the while Rinuccio (Scott Wichael) is begging his family to let him marry Gianni Schicchi’s (Thomas Gunther) daughter, Lauretta (Karen Hughes). Rinuccio’s family will not allow him to marry Lauretta since she does not have a trust fund. Rinuccio calls Schicchi without the family’s knowledge. Rinuccio explains to them that Schicchi will be able to help them find a way to get themselves included in the will. Zita (Maureen Delaney-Lehman) angrily explains the situation to Schicchi, who is just as angry at the negative reception he and his daughter have received. Lauretta sings “O Mio Babbino Caro,” begging her father to let her marry Rinuccio. Schicchi devises a plan to get the family into the will. As Schicchi assumes the role of the deceased Buoso Donati, so ensues this hilarious one-act comedy.

Mark your calendar for Soo Opera Theatre’s Gianni Schicchi August 12th and 13th at 7:30 pm and August 15th at 2:00 pm. Ticket prices are $15.00 for general admission and $10.00 for students. Group rates are available by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930. Soo Theatre Project is located 534 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Come, join, and support your local community at Soo Theatre Project. www.sootheatre.org

International Idol Winner Opens for Meat Loaf on July 24 at Kewadin Casinos

Kellan Perron performs during the 2010 International Idol Vocal Competition finals at the Soo Theatre. Photo courtesy of Tom Ewing.

Local student and winner of the Soo Theatre International Idol vocal competition will open for Meat Loaf at the Kewadin Casino 25th Anniversary Summer Festival on Saturday, July 24.

Twenty-nine contestants competed for over $2,000 in cash in two different divisions, 13-and-under and 14-and-over. This is the third year for the International Idol competition which, this year, focused on the theme “The Possible Dream.”

Kellan Perron, a Bay Mills resident and the Grand Champion of the 14-and-over division, received the opportunity by Kewadin Casinos to open for American rock icon Meat Loaf, as well as $500 worth of studio time at Lake Street Studio in Brimley, a Music-In-The-Park guest appearance, and an opportunity to perform in a stage production sponsored by the Soo Theatre Project.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to not only do something that I really love to do but to do it on such a major stage and with a professional crew of people at Kewadin,” said Perron. “I can’t wait to perform!”

The casino’s three-day summer festival will be held from July 22 to 24.

It will feature four national headlining acts, including 1980s rockers Bret Michaels and Vince Neil, modern rockers 3-Doors Down, and American rock icon Meat Loaf. The festival will also feature celebrity appearances with autograph sessions with Henry “The Fonz” Winkler, former Lion football players Billy Sims and Herman Moore and the famous Playboy Playmates, Shannon James, Brittany B. and Amber Campisi, celebrity chef & spinmaster Marc Weiss “The DJ Chef," and a strolling magician.

The festival will also have food and merchant vendors, a golf simulator, bumper cars, Rock Band Wii, a NASCAR Simulator, electronic bull riding, Baggo tournament, daily food eating contests, and fireworks at the end of each day.

Three-day passes to the festival are available as well as single-day passes. The three-day passes include entry into all concerts and three days of festival activities. A limited number of tickets will be available. Cash sales will be available at the box office during the festival. All festival events will be held at Kewadin Casino Sault Ste. Marie from noon to 10 p.m., rain or shine. Admission to the concerts is general. Gates for the festival open at 11 a.m.

More information on the festival can be found on the Kewadin Casinos website (www.kewadin.com), as well as its FaceBook and Twitter pages.

For more information about this year's International Idol Vocal Competition at the Soo Theatre, including photos of the competition, see the International Idol Winners Page on the Soo Theatre website.

Guys and Dolls Opens Tonight at the Soo Theatre!

Soo Theatre is proud to present Guys and Dolls, opening Thursday, July 15th at 7:30 pm. This Soo Theatre production is directed by Bob Koger, with music directed by Karen Hughes Beacom, choreography by Dianna George, and conducted by Dr. John Wilkinson. The cast, crew, and orchestra consists of talented community members from the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

This classic American musical will be performed in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan at the historic Soo Theatre Auditorium. Shows are being held on July 15th-17th at 7:30 pm and July 18th at 2:00 pm. The box office opens one hour before showtime, and seating will begin 30 minutes prior to opening curtain.

Ticket prices are $18.00 for general admission, $14.00 for seniors, and $10 for students. For further information or group ticket rates, please contact the Soo Theatre main office at (906) 632-1930. The Soo Theatre is located at 534 Ashmun Street Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Don’t miss this opportunity to support your locally talented community members and the Soo Theatre Project!

The Crapshooters (from left to right, Jesse Strieter, Ben Dietrick, Sam Burdick, Matt Gilbertson, Dr. Richard Morrison, Mark San Angelo, William VanVallis, Andrew Lucas, Matt Schnurer and Seth Witucki) and Nathan Detroit (middle, Dr. Richard Morrison) are trying to find a location in New York City to hold their illegal crap game. Set designed by Director Bob Koger with set painting led by local artist Randy Krause.

Don't Miss Guys and Dolls July 15-18 at the Soo Theatre!

While rehearsing the opening scene of Guys and Dolls, cast members Jesse Strieter, Ben Dietrick, Sharon San Angelo, Ginger Stratton, Hollyann Beck, Melina Talentino, and Casey Strieter stopped for a photo. Sets for the Broadway musical were designed by director Bob Koger, with set painting by Randy Krause and Abby Jewel.

Local talent will be gracing the Soo Theatre stage in the Tony Award-winning musical Guys and Dolls July 15-18, 2010. This acclaimed musical is directed by Bob Koger, music directed by Karen Hughes, conducted by John Wilkinson, and choreographed by Dianna George. There are over forty cast members and stage running crew from the Eastern Upper Peninsula involved in this grand production.

Guys and Dolls is a classic American Musical set in the streets and gambling circles of early 1950's New York City. The plot centers around Nathan Detroit (Dr. Richard Morrison) having to come up with funds for the location of an illegal craps game. Gambler Sky Masterson (Christian Perron), who is known for taking crazy bets that he eventually wins, gets maneuvered into a bet by Nathan Detroit that he, Sky, cannot take street missionary Sarah Brown (Shirley Wilkinson) on a dinner date in Cuba. Adding further complication to the plot, Nathan has problems of his own with his nightclub dancing fiancée of fourteen years, Miss Adelaide (Lola Kennedy). Adelaide is applying the pressure for Nathan to marry and start a family. Thus, the hilarious complications begin, resulting in one of America's most beloved musicals. The show brings us such songs as “Bushel and a Peck,” “If I Were a Bell,” “Adelaide’s Lament,” “I've Never Been in Love Before,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and, the title song, “Guys and Dolls.”

Other cast members of the Soo Theatre production are Hollyann Beck, Robin Bergsma, Sam Burdick, Ben Deatrick, Twyla Fredrickson, Matt Gilbertson, Wade Leppien, Andrew Lucas, Becky McCauley, Mark San Angelo, Sharon San Angelo, Jim Schmidt, Matt Schnurer, Sally Schremp, Ginger Stratton, Casey Strieter, Jesse Strieter, Melina Talentino, Jim Taylor, William VanVallis, Mary Witucki, Seth Witucki, and Matt Zook.

Guys and Dolls will be performed July 15th-17th at 7:30 pm and July 18th at 2:00 pm at the historic Soo Theatre Auditorium. Ticket prices are $18.00 for general admission, $14.00 for seniors, and $10 for students.

For further information or group ticket rates, please contact the Soo Theatre main office at (906) 632-1930 or visiting our website at www.sootheatre.org. Soo Theatre is located at 534 Ashmun Street Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Please join us in supporting local talent within our community.

Show Poster

Benny Southstreet (Matt Gilbertson) reads the Evening News during a scene from Soo Theatre’s Guys and Dolls as Nathan Detroit (Dr. Richard Morrison) pays close attention.

Hot Box Dancers Dixie (Casey Strieter, left) and Lulu (Mary Witucki, right) cross Broadway Avenue with Miss Adelaide (Lola Kennedy, center) to get back to the Hot Box Nightclub.

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Kellan Perron and Hollyann Beck Win 2010's International Idol Contest

Kellan Perron (center left) and Hollyann Beck (center right), division winners of the Soo Theatre's 2010 International Idol Vocal Competition, display their prizes. They are flanked on the left by Judges George Snider and Allison Miller and on the right by Sponsor Bob Arfstrom. The contest was held for four Sundays in June, with the final competition taking place on June 27.

The final competition of International Idol was held Sunday, June 27 at the Soo Theatre. The vocal competition started June 6 with 29 competitors in two age group divisions and ended with eight finalists. All of these talented performers are from the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

The three finalists for the 13-and-younger division were Caitlin LeBlanc, Eva Perron, and Hollyann Beck. The finalists in the 14-and-older division were Morgan Steele, Kierstan Jacobson, and Kellan Perron.

The competition was fierce, but Hollyann Beck and Kellan Perron emerged triumphant in their respective divisions. For more details and links to photos and videos, see the 2010 International Idol Winners Page.

Thank you to our sponsors: Bob Arfstrom for providing the prize money in the 14-and-older division; Lake Street Studio for donating recording time for the winner of the 14-and-older division; Old Mission Bank for donating the savings bonds for the 13-and-younger division winners; and Jennifer Compo and All Good Soundz Entertainment for providing musical accompaniment for the contestants. Thanks also to our banner sponsors: The Back Door, Neville's Superette, Dondee Lanes, and Erickson Appliance and Furniture.

Many thanks to Mark San Angelo, who did an excellent job as MC; the competition's judges George Snider, Allison Miller, and Amy Preville; stagehand Dan Harris; sound and lights tech Taylor Brugman; and contest coordinator Dennis Brooks.

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

Further information can be obtained by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visiting our website at www.sootheatre.org. Soo Theatre is located at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Come, join, and support local talent within your community!

Soo Theatre Presents Vocal Gala Friday July 2

The benefit performance at Soo Theatre will feature students of the Vocal and Opera Workshop, which took place this week. The workshop is being taught by guest instructor Dr. Christopher Hollingsworth and Soo Theatre instructor, Karen Hughes. The vocal program’s focus is to teach the students techniques for performance and preparation in opera and musical theatre.

Performing in the Vocal Gala will be Abigail Albrecht, Sarah Bomber, Brandon Carr, Matt Gilbertson, Lola Kennedy, Becky McCauley, Gabbie Pepin, Sally Schremp, and Shirley Wilkinson. The students will be presenting solo and ensemble pieces from musical theatre and opera genres.

The Soo Theatre Vocal Gala will be on Friday, July 2nd at 7:00 pm. Admission is $5.00 at the door. For further information please call the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visit our website at www.sootheatre.org. Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Come, join, and support these local, talented performers!

June 27: International Idol Grand Finale! Who Will Win?

The competition was close last Sunday, June 20 for the International Idol Vocal Competition held at the Soo Theatre in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Three contestants in the 13-and-Under Division and five in the 14-and-Older Division qualified for the final round. All remaining contestants are from the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Week Three qualifiers in the 13-and-Under Division who will be competing in the finals are Hollyann Beck, Eva Perron, and Caitlin LeBlanc. The 14-and-Older Division final competitors are Morgan Steele, Kellen Perron, Brandon Carr, Kierstan Jacobson, and Caity Carter. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division.

The final round of International Idol will be held Sunday, June 27th at 6:00 p.m. This Sunday’s final round guest performer is internationally-known soprano Karen Hughes who will sing "The Impossible Dream" and will speak to the contestants about the many benefits of a music career. Opening the show will be a snippet from the Soo Theatre’s upcoming summer musical, Guys and Dolls.

Join us in supporting the Idol contestants and the Soo Theatre Project by coming to see who will be named Soo Theatre’s 2010 International Idol. Admission is $5.00 at the door, with all proceeds benefiting the Soo Theatre Project, Inc.

Further information can be obtained by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visiting our website at www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

STARS Presents Alice in Wonderland Jun 25 & 26

The Soo Theatre’s STARS musical theatre summer students, ranging in age from elementary through high school, have been working hard with STARS directors and costumers for the past two weeks in preparation for a wonderful musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Show poster

The show, whose characters are all students of the musical theatre camp, begins with Alice sitting with her sister in the park, when she sees a white rabbit hurry down his hole. She is curious about where the rabbit is going and she follows him into the dark tunnel. Alice, then, finds herself in Wonderland! There, she finds out what it is like to grow and shrink very quickly and along the way she encounters a caucus race, jabbering twins, a rude patch of flowers, a bubble-blowing caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter’s tea party, an angry Queen of Hearts, and a trial in which Alice is afraid she might lose her head!

Performances will be held Friday, June 25th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 26th at 2:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 at the door. Don’t miss the chance to watch some very talented musical students and support the efforts of Soo Theatre Project, Inc..

For further information please call (906) 632-1930 and/or visit our website at sootheatre.org. Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

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

International Idol 2010 Continues June 20: Come See What Happens!

Another spectacular week of competition in the Third Annual Soo Theatre International Idol Vocal Competition was held this past Sunday, June 13th (check out June 13 photos here). International Idol is a vocal competition allowing talented performers from the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Sault, Ontario to compete on the Soo Theatre stage.

The Master of Ceremonies for International Idol is Rock 101 personality, Mark San Angelo. San Angelo was accompanied by judges “Gentleman” George Snider, radio personality Allison Miller, and local singer/actress Amy Preville. Guest artist for Week Two was last year’s International Idol winner, Danielle Petingalo, who spoke about how the dream is constantly on her mind when performing and moving ahead in her career. She is currently working on her first CD with Lake Street Studio.

Week Two resulted in further cuts in the competition. The four contestants in the 13-and-under division moving on to Week Three are Hollyann Beck, Riley Gridzak, Caitlin LeBlanc, and Eva Perron. In the 14-and-older division, only eight contestants will be moving on. They are Brandon Carr, Caity Carter, Tawny Freel, Kierstan Jacobson, Kellan Perron, Larry Peterman, Morgan Steele, and Tiffany Williams. All contestants will be required to perform two songs for Week Three in order for the judges to decide who will participate in the final week of competition to be held June 27th.

The third round of Soo Theatre’s International Idol begins at 6 p.m. this Sunday, June 20th. Special guest performer will be the 2008 Idol competition winner, KT Antler. Admission is $5.00 with all proceeds benefiting the Soo Theatre Project, Inc.

Further information can be obtained by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visiting our website at www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Join us in supporting the Idol contestants and the Soo Theatre Project!

Don't Miss Us at Music in the Park on Wed. Jun 16

The Soo Theatre Project and STARS kick off the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s Music in the Park series on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 7:00 pm. This free event at Soo Locks Park includes performances by STARS students and faculty, as well as selections from the upcoming Soo Theatre summer season.

The STARS Footlights Dance Theatre, directed by Dianna George, and the STARS Youth Orchestra, directed by Dottie Case, will be performing pieces from the recently concluded winter-spring semester. Members of the cast of Guys and Dolls, directed by Bob Koger, will present scenes from the upcoming Soo Theatre summer musical scheduled for July 15-18th.

Vocal performances will feature Karen Hughes singing a piece from the upcoming Soo Opera Theatre’s comedic opera Gianni Schicchi (August 12, 13, and 15th); Maureen Delaney-Lehman singing "Summertime;" and Alyssa Morley singing "Under the Sea."

For further information please contact the Soo Theatre Project at (906) 632-1930 or visit our website www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

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

STARS Summer Registration Is Still Open! Call Today!

There are still spots available for some of the summer semester offerings at STARS and the Soo Theatre.

STARS Summer 2010 Class Brochure

STARS Student Registration Form

Classes offered include a wide variety of selections for everyone of all ages, regardless of previous experience. Classes and camps are held throughout the summer at different dates and times. Come join the fun and sign up for one of these sessions:

Dance Classes:
Ballet I, I & II, III – IV-V
Ballet/Jazz A-B
Tap I-II

Camps:
Middle/High School Musical Theatre
Vocal/Opera Workshop
Toddler Mexican Folklore
Dance Camp
Elementary Arts Exploration
Elementary Musical Theatre

Yoga:
Early Bird Yoga
Yoga for Adults/Teens
Thai Yoga Therapy

Music Classes and Groups:
Beginning Piano
New Horizons
Tunes for Toddlers

Further information can be obtained by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visiting our website at www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

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

International Idol is Underway; Don't Miss the 2nd Round Sunday, Jun 13!

The third annual Soo Theatre International Idol Vocal Competition is underway, with spectacular performances by all contestants. The vocal competition is modeled after American Idol, but with a twist, as the competitors come from the Eastern Upper Peninsula area, including both Sault, Michigan and Sault, Ontario. Contestants are divided into two age groups, 13 years old and under and 14 years old and above.

Qualifying rounds were held this past Sunday, June 6th, with a total of 29 contestants vying for a spot in next week’s competition. Mark San Angelo did an excellent job as MC, along with the competition's judges George Snider, Allison Miller, and Amy Preville.

Special guest Bill Kritselis performed his song, "Born In Sault Ste. Marie,” for the audience. Mr. Kritselis, in his 80s, who has always hoped to sing on the big stage at the Soo Theater, was able to realize his dream by performing during the first round qualifying.

Seven contestants performed in the 13-and-under age group, all of whom impressed the judges enough to move on to the next round. This group is comprised of Hollyann Beck, Riley Gridzak, Caitlin LeBlanc, Joselynn Payment, Eva Perron, Sam Burton, and Jade Osborn. During the next round this group will perform two songs from two different categories, "Anything Disney" and “Singer’s Choice.”

In the 14-and-older age group there were a total of twenty-two contestants, fifteen of which will be moving on to the next round. Those moving on are Crystal Bialorucki, Hannah Burton, Brandon Carr, Caity Carter, Sarah Donnelly, Zachariah Dose, Tawny Freel, Sheri Hicks, Kierstan Jacobson, Christian Perron, Kellen Perron, Larry Peterman, Morgan Steele, Jesse Trotter, and Tiffany Williams. This group will also perform two songs from two different categories, “Beatles” and “Singer’s Choice.”

The second round of Soo Theatre’s International Idol begins at 6 p.m. this Sunday, June 13th. Special guest performer will be the winner from last year’s competition, Danielle Petingalo. Admission is $5.00 with all proceeds benefiting the Soo Theatre Project, Inc.

Further information can be obtained by calling the theatre at (906) 632-1930 or visiting our website at www.sootheatre.org. The Soo Theatre Project is located at 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Join us in supporting the Idol contestants and the Soo Theatre Project.

Int'l Idol 2010 Contest Starts Jun 6: $2000 in Cash and Prizes Up for Grabs

Download the application and contest rules here.

The Soo Theatre Project once again presents the much anticipated International Idol competition which focuses this year on the theme "The Possible Dream." For those who have what it takes to challenge themselves and others in determining who is the best at performing vocally on stage, this is for you.

Contestants will vie for over $2,000 in cash and prize money in two different divisions, 13-and-under and 14-and-over. Sponsorship has expanded to include All Good Soundz Music, Lake Street Studio, Old Mission Bank, and Bob Arfstrom. Contestants will be judged every Sunday in June on vocal quality, stage presence and song selection.

This year's competition will start at 4:00pm on June 6th at the Soo Theatre; all who are entering must be at the first performance by 3:30 pm. The top three finalists of each division will be awarded prizes with the Grand Champion prize for the 14 and Over Division paying out $600 for 1st place, $400 for 2nd, and $200 for third. The Grand Champion of the 14 and Over Division will also receive $500 worth of studio time at Lake Street Studio, an opportunity to perform at a Dream Makers Theater presentation, a Music-In-The-Park guest appearance and an opportunity to perform in a stage production sponsored by the Soo Theatre Project.

Contestants can find further information on the International Idol website at www.sootheatre.org/idol. Fill out the application and return to the Soo Theatre Project, 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 906-632-1930 as soon as possible. You may also hand in your application at the door before the contest.

If you have music, please email Jennifer Compo at admin@allgoodsoundz.com to make sure she has what you are intending to sing.

Download the application and contest rules here.

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer.
Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience,
and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

Our May 2010 Newsletter Is Now Available

Our May 2010 Newsletter is now available online in PDF format (1.2 Mb).

Soo Opera Theatre Announces June 6 Auditions

The Soo Opera Theatre of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan announces auditions for Gianni Schicchi, an opera in one act by Giacomo Puccini. Audition Flyer

Auditions are Sunday, June 6th at noon at the Soo Theatre and at 7:00 p.m. at the Algoma University Auditorium.

Auditions will be heard by Stage Director Timothy Murphy; Artistic Director Karen Hughes, and Soprano Elizabeth Kinghorn.

The opera will be performed August 12, 13, and 15, 2010.

For more information, call 906-647-8101 or contact the Soo Theatre Project at (906) 632-1930 or www.sootheatre.org. Soo Theatre Project, 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Barbershop Double Feature to Benefit Soo Theatre Project Jun 5

Get ready for a double feature of barbershop harmony!

The Lock Cities Chorus of Sweet Adelines International and Northland Barbershop Chorus of Sault Ste. Marie will be performing the third annual benefit performance for the Soo Theatre Project, Saturday, June 5th at 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $15.00 and student tickets are $10.00, available at the Soo Theatre main office and at the door an hour before the performance.

The Lock Cities Chorus of Sweet Adelines are performing a “Let’s Get Away” theme, directed by Judy Hendrickson. The Northland Barbershop Chorus, directed by Bob Shami, are performing a “Cowboy Chorale” montage in which three genres of performance art are combined into one memorable evening: Classic Western Music sung a cappella in four-part Barbershop Harmony is featured together with Cowboy Poetry.

Please support the Soo Theatre Project by watching this wonderful benefit show of Barbershop-style singers, Saturday, June 5th at 7:30 pm. The two choruses will perform at the Soo Theatre, located at 534 Ashmun Street Sault Ste. Marie, MI (906) 632-1930 or www.sootheatre.org. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students. Come, join, and support the Soo Theatre Project.

"Guys and Dolls" Needs You!

Here’s your chance to get into show business! Everyone has something that can be of use with the production of a big Broadway musical. Why not you?

The Soo Theatre Project is in need of volunteers to assist with the production crews for the mid-July performances of “Guys & Dolls.” Folks who are willing to help build and paint stage scenery, collect and sew costumes, help with publicity and house management, play in the pit orchestra, serve as scene change crew, gather and organize stage properties, and generally be an integral part of the total production are encouraged to volunteer.

To become involved it is as simple as picking up the phone and calling the Soo Theatre office at 632-1930. Inform the office staff of what crew, or crews, you would like to assist. Be prepared to give your phone and email addresses. Or, you are welcomed to stop by the main office at the downtown Soo Theatre to become a part of this exciting production. You will be contacted by one of the show’s production staff as to planning and work sessions.

Please consider joining the company of “Guys & Dolls.” You will meet some great people and have a super experience in the world of show business!

Come, join, and support the Soo Theatre Project 534 Ashmun Street Sault Ste. Marie, MI. (906) 632-1930 or visit our website at www.sootheatre.org.

Pirate Boat Cruise Jun 9 to Benefit Soo Theatre Project

Last year Soo Locks Boat Tours partnered with Soo Theatre to raise money for the Soo Theatre Project by having a Pirate-themed Boat Tour. It was such a big hit that Soo Locks Boat Tours and Soo Theatre Project are teaming up to do it this year!

The Pirate Boat Cruise will be Wednesday, June 9 at 6:00 p.m. The Pirate Performance on the dock will be followed by a one-hour cruise on the pirate boat. Only 150 pirates are allowed on the boat, so make sure to buy your tickets today. Tickets are $12.00 for adults and $8.00 for children (12 and under). See the poster.

Become a pirate for the evening! Come as you are or as a pirate! There will be a Pirate performance on the dock before the cruise. Once loaded on the one-hour cruise on the beautiful St. Mary's River, you will enjoy pirate pizza, pop and water, pirate stories, and pirate prizes.

Last year this benefit cruise was sold out, so make sure to buy your ticket(s) at the Soo Theatre Project, 534 Ashmun Street Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Contact the Soo Theatre at (906) 632-1930 or check us out online at www.sootheatre.org. Come, join, and support the Soo Theatre Project.

Family of pirates from Soo Theatre Project’s
2009 Benefit Pirate Boat Cruise

Guys and Dolls New Soo Theatre Project Musical Choice

Sault Ste. Marie's Soo Theatre Project has found it necessary to change its choice for its 2010 summer musical. The group had originally planned to present Fiddler on the Roof. However, due to a problem in obtaining the rights to produce the show, it has decided to stage Guys and Dolls. The Soo Theatre has received a license from Music Theater International for the July 15, 16, 17, and 18 production and has begun rehearsals.

Guys and Dolls is a classic American Musical set in the streets and gambling circles of early 1950's New York City. The plot centers around Nathan Detroit, played by local actor Rich Morrison, having to come up with funds for the location of an illegal craps game. Enter gambler Sky Masterson, portrayed by Soo Theatre actor Christian Perron, who is known for taking crazy bets that he eventually wins. Nathan maneuvers Sky into a bet that he, Sky, cannot take street missionary Sarah Brown, portrayed locally by Shirley Wilkinson, on a dinner date in Cuba. Adding further complication to the plot, Nathan has problems of his own with his nightclub-dancing fiancée of fourteen years, Miss Adelaide, acted locally by Melissa Kargiannakis. Adelaide is applying the pressure for Nathan to marry and start a family. Complications ensue, resulting in one of America's most hilarious musicals. The show brings us such songs as “Bushel and a Peck,” “If I Were a Bell,” “I've Never Been in Love Before,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and, the title song, “Guys and Dolls.”

Other assigned roles in the Soo Theatre production are: Matt Gilbertson, Seth Witucki, Jim Schmidt, Wade Leppien, Kaylynn Barber, Becky McCauley, Sam Burdick, Jim Taylor, Lola Kennedy, Twyla Fredrickson, Matt Zook, Andrew Lucas, Ben Deatrick, Nick Cremeans, Mary Witucki, Sharon SanAngelo, Ginger Stratton, and Gabriella Castillo. Also appearing are Melissa Makranyi, Samantha Peck, Jaelinn Soeltner, Haley Weston, Casey Strieter, Hollyann Beck, Melina Talentino, and Christopher Avila.

This will be the first show that director Bob Koger has undertaken with the Soo Theatre Project. However, the show is not unfamiliar to Koger. He has previously directed the show four times. He also performed in the show with a tour of the Orient and South Pacific for the USO and American Educational Theater Association. Regarding the problem of having to change the show following the casting of the original selection, Koger stated, “After finding an outstanding cast, it was disappointing to have to abandon our choice of Fiddler on the Roof. But, in discussions with my fellow directors, we found a show that allows us to actually use the entire cast that we chose for Fiddler. I am convinced that this group of Soo Theatre performers will bring an absolutely stunning production to the folks of the Sault Ste. Marie area.”

Soo area folks are reminded to mark those production dates of July 15, 16, 17, and 18 on their calendars. They will be in for a real treat. For additional information, please contact the Soo Theatre Project, 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, (906) 632-1930 or visit the website at www.sootheatre.org. Come, join and support the Soo Theatre Project.

Click here for a printable version of our 2010 Season

Concert May 16: STARS Youth Orchestra and Algoma Conservatory

STARS Youth Orchestra and Algoma Conservatory’s Concert Strings will be teaming up for a combined Festival Concert on Sunday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. This performance will take place on the historic Soo Theatre stage in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. For the first time, these two groups will bring together close to 30 highly accomplished young string players from both sides of the river. The program will feature an exciting array of music from the Baroque classics to down home folk music. Conductors of these two groups are Dottie Case from STARS and Rosemary Gosse from the Algoma Conservatory. Admission is by donation.

This will launch the Soo Theatre’s summer season on stage, which will be alive with more than thirty performances from June through October. In their fifth season of major Broadway and opera productions as well as individual concerts from bluegrass to the International Idol Competition, the Soo Theatre strives to offer a little something for everyone. While heavy in production, the project is also continues in the process of renovating the theatre building and complex. The community is encouraged to join the Soo Theatre Project by joining the “Belong to Something Big” campaign, by donating to the Legacy fund for the overall renovation of the theatre, or by getting involved as a volunteer.

Come out, support, and be a part of this first concert in a full and exciting season planned for this summer at the Soo Theatre. For a complete listing of upcoming events and opportunities, please visit www.sootheatre.org

Poster

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Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) is a community arts center offering instruction in music, dance, theater, yoga, and tai chi for students of all ages. STARS is a program of the Soo Theatre Project, partially housed in the historic Soo Theatre complex. For more information on classes and lessons, call the STARS office at (906) 632-1930.

STARS Annual Dance Show May 14 & 15

Soo Theatre Project presents its annual dance show, STARS World Dance Tour, Friday, May 14th and Saturday, May 15th 7:00 pm at the LSSU Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for students and can be purchased at the Soo Theatre office (534 Ashmun Street in Sault Michigan) or at the door.

Over 250 students of ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, tap and acrobatics will dance to music from all over the world.

Special guest at Friday’s performance will be Miss Michigan 2009, Nicole Blaszczyk. Also featured will be the Footlights Dance Theatre, the advanced dance troupe based at STARS and its four graduating seniors, Karen Donarski, Olivia Francis, Rebecca Neveu and Tenley Roe.

Colorful costuming and the LSSU Arts Center’s state-of-the-art light and sound technology will complement the eclectic mix of world music. Students performing are students of Dianna George, Kaley Darga, Lea Ciffullo and Courtney Bailey. Acrobatic dance by guest choreographer Sarah Eles will also be featured in the show.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula to boost their support of 18 local agencies working in the three counties.

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

For more information on classes and lessons, call the STARS office, 632-1930 or visit the website www.sootheatre.org.

Poster

International Idol 2010 Starts June 6th; Sign Up Today!

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer.
Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience,
and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

Download the application and contest rules here.

The Soo Theatre Project once again presents the much anticipated International Idol competition which focuses this year on the theme "The Possible Dream." For those who have what it takes to challenge themselves and others in determining who is the best at performing vocally on stage, this is for you.

Contestants will vie for over $2,000 in cash and prize money in two different divisions, 13-and-under and 14-and-over. Sponsorship has expanded to include All Good Soundz Music, Lake Street Studio, Old Mission Bank, and Bob Arfstrom. Contestants will be judged every Sunday in June on vocal quality, stage presence and song selection.

This year's competition will start at 4:00pm on June 6th at the Soo Theatre. The 13 and Under Division will compete first, followed by the 14 and Over Division at 6:00pm. The top three finalists of each division will be awarded prizes with the Grand Champion prize for the 14 and Over Division paying out $600 for 1st place, $400 for 2nd, and $200 for third. The Grand Champion of the 14 and Over Division will also receive $500 worth of studio time at Lake Street Studio, an opportunity to perform at a Dream Makers Theater presentation, a Music-In-The-Park guest appearance and an opportunity to perform in a stage production sponsored by the Soo Theatre Project.

Contestants can find further information on the International Idol website at www.sootheatre.org/idol. Fill out the application and return to the Soo Theatre Project, 534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 906-632-1930 as soon as possible.

Download the application and contest rules here.

"Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them,
but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny."

SOO THEATRE PROJECT, INC.
534 Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
(906) 632-1930 ● www.sootheatre.org
sootheatre@lighthouse.net ● STARS@lighthouse.net

A poster is available here.