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.

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.

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!

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!