Future Fungus News - April 2024

"Much Ado..." & GENERAL AUDITIONS this Month!

Auditions for "Much Ado About Nothing" by William Shakespeare, our Summer Production will be held at the Dassel History Center from 6:00 - 9:00 PM on Saturday, April 20, Thursday April 25 and Sunday May 5

Auditions will be cold readings from the script. Please bring your schedules for known conflicts through summer.

Performances:

Friday, July 19 - Dassel History Center
Saturday, July 20 - Jomas Winery (Darwin)
Sunday, July 21 - Litchfield Opera House (Litchfield)
Thursday, July 25 - Masonic Park (Hutchinson)
Friday, July 26 - Peterson Park (Cokato)
Saturday, July 27 - Crow River Winery (Hutchinson)
Sunday, July 28 - Dassel History Center

A comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The primary plot of Much Ado About Nothing turns on the courtship and scandal involving young Hero and her suitor, Claudio, but the witty war of words between Claudio's friend Benedick and Hero's cousin Beatrice often takes center stage. Set in Messina, the play begins as Don Pedro's army returns after a victory.

Also during these auditions Fungus Among will be hosting GENERAL AUDITIONS to help select our 2024 - 2025 season. For more information and a list of shows under consideration please click the link below to read a letter from our Artistic Director David Metcalf

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Announcing Summer Youth Theatre Camp

The FungusAmongus Players in partnership with Dassel-Cokato Community Education will be offering a Summer Youth Theatre Camp for Grades 1 - 8 July 22 - 28 at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center.

Amanda Byrne (Imberg) & Kay Wilson will be leading this camp. Registration will be announced in the summer Community Ed. brochure and FungusAmongus will also link to it on our social media channels.

This week-long theatre camp will give students the opportunity to develop their theatre and acting skills in a fun and interactive environment. Through games and activities, these young actors will explore ways to express their creativity and spontaneity as well as build their confidence. Besides covering theatre basics (like stage movement, blocking annotation and scoring a script) students will explore physicality and character expression, scene creation and interaction, improving dialogue and using body language as well as narrative structures and story arcs. Then campers will take the tools they learned all week in rehearsals to present a FREE final showcase performance for friends, family and fellow campers to celebrate their achievements.

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Thank you to all who attended "The Crucible"

Thank you to all of our audience members for attending "The Crucible". We heard many positive comments as we produced this challenging work. Over 30 audience members stayed following our first Sunday matinee to engage with the cast and crew during a talkback session. We are also happy to announce that just over $500 toward our Student Scholarship fund during the run of the show. Thank you! 

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Student Scholarship Reminder

As announced in our March Newsletter starting this season the funds that have been raised during our intermissions from freewill donations for treats has started to go into a fund to support a Student Scholarship which may be awarded annually based on applicants. It is open to graduating seniors and or students already attending a post secondary education that have participated in FungusAmongus productions. 

If you or a student you know would be a good candidate for this scholarship please follow the link below and complete an application, all applications must be postmarked or received via email no later than April 12th 2024.

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So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

• AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

• Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

• Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

• Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.
  

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Future Fungus News - March 2024

"The Crucible" opens in two weeks!

 Arthur Miller's The Crucible, directed by Jack Neveaux opens two weeks from tonight on Friday March 15th.

All performances are at the Dassel History Center March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24. Friday and Saturday evenings at 7PM and Sunday matinees at 2PM.

We have some exciting events to go along with this production:

• Mary Jensen, a former Dassel-Cokato High School teacher, taught about this play for many years. Join her on March 9 at 10 am, at the Dassel History Center for a discussion of just what the Crucible is all about, as well as its possible ties to Ergot.

• Following the Sunday March 17 performance the cast and crew will participate in a talkback with the audience, moderated by Carolyn Holji.

The cast and crew of "The Crucible" during recent rehearsals.

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Student Scholarship Announcement

Starting this season the funds that have been raised during our intermissions from freewill donations for treats has started to go into a fund to support a Student Scholarship which may be awarded annually based on applicants. It is open to graduating seniors and or students already attending a post secondary education that have participated in FungusAmongus productions. 

If you or a student you know would be a good candidate for this scholarship please follow the link below and complete an application, all applications must be postmarked or received via email no later than April 12th 2024.

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Auditions for "Much Ado About Nothing" set!

Director Isaac Olson is excited to announce Audition dates for William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing".

Auditions will be held at the Dassel History Center April 20, 25, and May 4 at 6pm. Auditions will be cold readings from the script.

A comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The primary plot of Much Ado About Nothing turns on the courtship and scandal involving young Hero and her suitor, Claudio, but the witty war of words between Claudio's friend Benedick and Hero's cousin Beatrice often takes center stage. Set in Messina, the play begins as Don Pedro's army returns after a victory.

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So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

• AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

• Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

• Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

• Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.
  

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Future Fungus News - February 2024

Tickets for “The Crucible” are on sale!

Tickets for Arthur Miller's The Crucible, directed by Jack Neveaux are on sale today!

All performances are at the Dassel History Center March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24. Friday and Saturday evenings at 7PM and Sunday matinees at 2PM.

Thank you to all that auditioned for "The Crucible", director Jack Neveaux is excited to announce the cast for the production:
ROLE..............................................................ACTOR
Abigail William...........................................Varis Anderson
Elizabeth Proctor.......................................Nancy Lipinski
Rebecca Nurse.........................................Elisabeth Nelson
Ann Putnam & Sarah Good..................Becky Hungerford
Ruth Putnam & Susannah Walcott.....Emilia Roskamp
Tituba.......................................……..............Lori Miller
Mary Warren.......................…....................Mary Leyda
Betty Parris.......................…..............…......Ella Baumann
Mercy Lewis........................…….................Nicole Miller
John Proctor..........................….…..............Isaac Olson
Rev. John Hale..............….........…..............Dennis Kelly
Rev. Parris............................…...…..............Ron Hungerford
Francis Nurse...............................…..........Jonathon Carnicom
Judge Danforth.......................…..............Tom Nelson
Giles Corey..............................…...............Jon Benson
Thomas Putnam....................……............Corey Roskamp
Ezekiel Cheever....................…..…..........Gannon Miller
Judge Hathorn.........................….............Brian Baumann
(Herrick) Willard.........................…..........Joe Happe

The cast of "The Crucible" at the first table read.

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Script reading February 10

The FungusAmongus Players board of directors will be hosting a script reading at the Dassel History Center on Saturday February 10 starting at 4 PM. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and join in as we read a potential script for a future season.

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So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

• AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

• Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

• Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

• Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.
  

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

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Our 2023 - 2024 Season:

Future Fungus News - January 2024

Auditions for “The Crucible” this month!

Auditions for Arthur Miller's The Crucible, directed by Jack Neveaux are coming up this month.

Auditions will be held, January 12, from 6:30-9:00 pm and January 13 from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Dassel History Center. Sign up for an audition slot here:

Rehearsals will begin January 23 in the Dassel History Center or by announcement.

Audition preparation should include a good understanding of the script and some of the historical context for the play. If you have questions about the audition process or are unable to make one of the scheduled dates please feel free to email director Jack Neveaux directly at: jcknvx@gmail.com

Performances will be March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 also at the Dassel History Center. 

For more information including references and available roles please visit our audition page:

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Thank you for attending "Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical"

Thank you all for attending "Nuncrackers: The Nusense Musical". We had sell out performances for our run and we had many nice comments about the production! The little sisters of Hoboken hope they brought you some holiday cheer this year!

We also are happy to announce we raised over $600 for our student scholarship fund, thanks to your generous donations during our intermissions. Thank you so much and students look for more information soon about how to apply for the Fungus Student Scholarship! 

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Script reading January 14

The FungusAmongus Players board of directors will be hosting a script reading at the Dassel History Center on January 14 starting at 4 PM. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and join in as we read a potential script for a future season.

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So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

• AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

• Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

• Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

• Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.
  

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

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Our 2023 - 2024 Season:

Future Fungus News - November 2023

Tickets to "Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical" are now on sale!

Tickets for the hit holiday musical "Nuncrackers" are now on sale! The show will be performed on the first floor of the Dassel History Center and Ergot Museum on December 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17.

Following the Sunday December 10th matinee performance the cast and crew will hold a talkback session for any audience members that would like to learn more about the show or the process of making theatre.

The Little Sisters of Hoboken are here to make your holiday season merry and bright! All the nuns you love, plus Father Virgil and four students, take the stage to celebrate the season with warmth and hilarity.

Cast:
Sister Mary Regina, Reverend Mother……....Linda Metcalf
Sister Mary Hubert…………………………..Rhea Langemo
Sister Robert Anne…………………………...Kay Wilson
Sister Mary Paul (aka Sister Amnesia)………Lisa Kotila
Sister Mary Leo……………………………...Jaclyn Thorston
Sister Francis, Stage Manager……………Becky Hungerford
Father Virgil…………………………………Gannon Miller
Mount Saint Helen’s Students:……………...Gideon Barberg, Selah Barberg, Emory Carnicom, Alex Nelson

Production Crew:
Director……………………………………..Dave Metcalf
Vocal Director………………………………Kay Wilson
Pit director………………………………….Randy Wilson
Choreographer……………………………...Linda Metcalf
Set Crew Chief……………………………..Ron Hungerford
Audio Crew Chief………………………….Tom Nelson
Lighting Crew Chief……………………….Terry Moore

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Thank you for attending “Bloody Murder”

Thank you all for attending our fall production of "Bloody Murder". Our production was sold out and the laughs were great to hear!

We also raised over $600 dollars from our intermission treats during the run of the show for our forthcoming Student Scholarship. Thank you!

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Winter Production Update: 
"The Crucible"

We are excited to announce our audition and performance dates for our winter production of Arthur Millers "The Crucible". Mark your calendars!

Auditions will be held at the Dassel History Center on January 12 and January 13, more information to come.

Performances will be March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 also at the Dassel History Center. 

The production will be directed by Jack Neveaux.

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Script reading November 11

The FungusAmongus Players board of directors will be hosting a script reading at the Dassel History Center on November 11 starting at 2:30 PM. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and join in as we read 2 potential scripts for future seasons of Fungus.

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So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

• AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

• Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

• Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

• Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.
  

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

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Our 2023 - 2024 Season:

Future Fungus New - October 2023

"Bloody Murder" opens next week!

"Bloody Murder" opens next Friday October 13 and will be performed at the Dassel History Center on October 13 - 15 and 20 - 22. The show will be performed on the third floor so seating will be limited and tickets are going fast, get yours now!

Following the Sunday October 15th matinee performance the cast and crew will hold a talkback session for any audience members that would like to learn more about the show or the process of making theatre.

A group of the usual British murder-mystery types gather for a weekend retreat at the sumptuous country estate of the esteemed Lady Somerset. There's the major who served in India; the inebriated, fading actor; the innocent ingénue; the exotic lady in red; the mysterious Chinese gentleman; the rich dowager aunt and her faithful maid and worthless nephew. Suddenly, one of them dies of poison! Well, of course. Oh, what fun! But wait . Her Ladyship refuses to summon the police! She says she won't go through all this, again. All what, again? And why were they all invited here in the first place? Is this actually just another formulaic, all-too-predictable mystery story? Or is it something diabolically: different? Agatha Christie meets Pirandello, as characters rebel against their author. It's bloody murder.

PLEASE NOTE: Cap guns are fired on stage during the production and produce a loud bang.

A few rehearsal images from "Bloody Murder" Nicole Miller, Brandon Densmore, Maia Carnicom, Brian Bauman, Isaac Olson, Ron Hungerford, and Rick Wyman pictured.

Audition Info for “Nuncrackers”!

Director Dave Metcalf announces auditions for "Nuncrackers" By Dan Goggin.

Auditions will be held at the Dassel History Center on Monday October 16, at 6 PM and Saturday October 21, at noon. 

Auditions will be done with cold readings from the script, please prepare a song that shows your vocal range and bring your schedule and conflict calendar through December 17.

The Little Sisters of Hoboken are here to make your holiday season merry and bright! All the nuns you love, plus Father Virgil and four students, take the stage to celebrate the season with warmth and hilarity.

We are looking for one male, age mid 20's-early 30's and four children (2 boys, 2 girls) age 7-13.

 Performances are December 8, 9, 10 and 15, 16, 17.

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Mike Ackerman - In Memoriam

On September  21 our FungusAmongus family sadly lost a mainstay of our acting company. Mike Ackerman was an amazing  actor  and a wonderful human being. He has left behind a legacy of heartwarming performances and warm-hearted friendships.

Serving as the long-time Cokato barber, he became a master of conversation, always engaging his clients and his friends in intelligent discussion on any topic. His ultimate focus seemed to center upon sharing genuine interest in everyone’s opinion and everyone’s “story.”

On the stage, he served as that great example of “how to do things right” for every actor, novice or veteran who ever had the pleasure of working with him and watching him craft a role. He was diligent and precise, with meticulous attention to detail. He would spend hours practicing – on his own – the tiniest bits of minute stage business, such as: the most efficient way to make a sandwich onstage.

Mike’s comic timing was impeccable, his onstage shenanigans were hilarious. One of my favorite, most memorable moments in all my years of theatre occurred during a dress rehearsal for a play called “The Prince, the Wolf and the Firebird”, a comic spoof of Tchaikovsy’s “Firebird” ballet. Mike, portraying a penniless, down-and-out Russian king meets and instantly falls in love with an aging princess who, as a teen, was abandoned on her way to be married to a foreign prince – and has waited at the same crossroad for decades with no other company than her three dolls. Amorous sparks flew as King Afron (Mike) gazed into feckless Princess Moushksa’s (a mustachio’d Jon Benson’s) eyes.  It was a Tim Conway-Harvey Korman break-up moment that had the entire cast and crew gasping in laughter for nearly 20 minutes.

Though masterful at comedy, he could also bring folks to tears, as he did in his portrayal of Ron Huber in “The Ice Fishing Play” as a widower tortured by memories of the loss of his wife, his brother and his own will to carry on all alone.

Perhaps Mike’s greatest assets, though were his overwhelming kindness and his ability to make others feel comfortable and important.

Mike will be remembered by his theatre family as a man who infused every role just as he infused his life: with dignity and grace; With a smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eye.
We all will miss you terribly, Mikey.
 
With love and fond memories,
Dave Metcalf
 
P.S.      You will find below a list of all the plays Mike Ackerman performed in for the various D-C area theater companies. Please take a moment to look through the titles to find performances you may have attended – and recall a happy memory he may have inspired. And Smile. We dedicate our 2023 - 2024 season to Mikes memory.

Mike Ackerman’s Shows for D-C Audiences
 
1975    The Legend of Sleepy Hollow……The Pastor
1982    Little Mary Sunshine……………..General Fairfax
1983    You Can’t take it With You……….Martin Vanderhof
1985    Fools………………………………Doctor Zubritsky
1985    Peter Pan………………………….Mr. Darling
1986    Two By Two………………………Shem
1987    Something’s Afoot………………..[DIRECTOR]
1988    The Foreigner……………………..Charlie Baker
1989    Ducks and Lovers…………………Professor Weiner
1991    Noises Off…………………………Lloyd Dallas
1992    Annie………………………………Fred McCracken (and others)
2008    The Ice Fishing Play………………Ron Huber
2009    More Fun Than Bowling………….Mister Dyson
2012    Arsenic and Old Lace …………….Dr. Einstein
2015    The Romancers……………………Blaise
2016    Fiddler on the Roof……………….The Constable
2017    The Voice of the Prairie…………..The Jailer

Our 2023 - 2024 season marches on!

In case you missed it we have announced our full 2023 - 2024 season!

• October 2023: Bloody Murder by Ed Sala

• December 2023: Nuncrackers by Dan Goggin

• Winter 2024: The Crucible by Arthur Miller

• Summer 2024: Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

• AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

• Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

• Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

• Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.
  

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Future Fungus News - September 2023

Tickets to "Bloody Murder" are on sale now!

Tickets are now on sale for "Bloody Murder" which will be performed at the Dassel History Center on October 13 - 15 and 20 - 22. The show will be performed on the third floor so seating will be limited, get your tickets now!

A group of the usual British murder-mystery types gather for a weekend retreat at the sumptuous country estate of the esteemed Lady Somerset. There's the major who served in India; the inebriated, fading actor; the innocent ingénue; the exotic lady in red; the mysterious Chinese gentleman; the rich dowager aunt and her faithful maid and worthless nephew. Suddenly, one of them dies of poison! Well, of course. Oh, what fun! But wait . Her Ladyship refuses to summon the police! She says she won't go through all this, again. All what, again? And why were they all invited here in the first place? Is this actually just another formulaic, all-too-predictable mystery story? Or is it something diabolically: different? Agatha Christie meets Pirandello, as characters rebel against their author. It's bloody murder.

Cast List for "Bloody Murder"

The director would like to thank all who auditioned, and would like to note that our audiences are in for a real treat with this talented cast!

• Lady Somerset: Rick Wyman

• Jane: Becky Hungerford

• The Major: Ron Hungerford

• Charles: Brian Bauman

• Devon Tremaine: Brandon Densmore

• Emma: Maia Carnicom

• The Countess: Nicole Miller

• Chief Inspector Phelps: Terry Moore

• The Motorist: Lori Miller

• Mr. Woo: Isaac Olson

• El Gato: Gannon Miller

• The Nun: Jaclyn Thorsen

• The Priest: James Statz

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2023 - 2024 Season Announcement!

In case you missed it we have announced our full 2023 - 2024 season!

• October 2023: Bloody Murder by Ed Sala

• December 2023: Nuncrackers by Dan Goggin

• Winter 2024: The Crucible by Arthur Miller

• Summer 2024: Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

March with Fungus in the Red Rooster Days Parade

• Wear your favorite past production shirt and march with Fungus to hand out our 2023/2024 season bookmark.

• The Red Rooster Days Parade is Saturday, September 2 beginning at 2PM.

• Reach out to us on Facebook if you are interested in joining us for the parade.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

• AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

• Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions! We are looking for a stage manager for "Bloody Murder" reach out via our socials if you are interested!

• Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

• Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Future Fungus News - July 2023

"The Secret Garden"
Opens next Friday!

Come to the Garden!

The cast and crew have been hard at work preparing the production and are excited to share it with audiences. Tickets are available to purchase on our website, fungusamongusplayers.org, and at the door prior to all performances.

Performances are July 21, 22, 28, and 29 at 7PM and 23 and 30 at 2PM at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center
The Secret Garden is a musical based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical's script and lyrics are by Marsha Norman, with music by Lucy Simon. It premiered on Broadway in 1991 and ran for 709 performances. The story is set in the early years of the 20th century, when Mary Lennox, an English girl born and raised in the British Raj, is orphaned by a cholera outbreak when she is 10 years old. She is sent away from India to the moors of Yorkshire, England, to live in the manor of a brooding uncle she has never met. There, her personality blossoms among the other residents of the manor as they bring new life to a long-neglected garden.

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Audiences should use the Highway 12 entrance to the PAC parking lot, as the entrance off of Reardon Avenue is currently under construction.

2023 - 2024 Season Announcement!

• It’s almost time for us to announce our next season of shows. The upcoming season will be revealed at performances for The Secret Garden.
  

• Keep a lookout on our social media for hints about the shows leading up to the announcement. Here are four images to start off—one representing each show in our upcoming season. Do you have any guesses?

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

• AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! We are in need of 1 - 2 additional tech crew members for "The Secret Garden"!

• Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions! 

• Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

• Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Future Fungus News - May 2023

Future Fungus News - April 2023 SPECIAL EDITION

Future Fungus News - March/April 2023

Future Fungus News - February 2023

It's almost opening night for: "Endings: An Evening of One-Act Plays!"

Tickets are now on sale for "Endings: An Evening of One-Act Plays.” Click HERE for the box office.

Performances are February 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 7 p.m. and 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. at the Dassel History Center.

FIVE shows in one evening!

• HIDDEN IN THIS PICTURE by Aaron Sorkin:  Production is three weeks behind and $6 million over budget!  Now the sun is setting with only 11 minutes left to film, before the bigwigs shut production down. Then three cows gradually wander into the panoramic scene.   Directed by Linda Metcalf.

• THE END OF THE BEGINNING by Sean O'Casey:  One O'Caseys very few comedies. An Irish farmer and his wife argue about which of them has the toughest job. They agree to switch duties for a day and then compare who succeeds best - with catastrophic results. Directed by Dave Metcalf. 

• DEATH KNOCKS by Woody Allen: Nat Ackermann is on his bed reading when a mysterious figure climbs through his window and claims to be Death. Death is a little nervous; it's his first day on the job. Nat suggests that they play gin rummy. If Nat wins, he doesn't have to go to the Happy Hunting Ground for 24 hours. Directed by Tom Nelson.

• ANIMAL by Oliver Hailly: Oliver Hailly’s play showcases Claire Marie. Claire Marie’s mother is frustrated. She has people coming for a celebration and her 12 year-old daughter has climbed a tree and will not come down! Directed by David Metcalf.

• CLEAR GLASS MARBLES by Jane Martin: Laurie's mother was diagnosed with cancer. But she decides to deal with it on her own terms. Laurie recounts the process. Funny, poignant and bittersweet. Directed by Jack Neveaux.

Nancy J. Lipinski portrays Laurie in "Clear Glass Marbles" by Jane Martin.

David Metcalf portrays Nat and Ron Hungerford portrays Death in "Death Knocks" by Woody Allen.

New sound system has arrived!

Thanks to a generous grant of $10,000 from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council we have been able to purchase a new sound system, complete with wireless mics, a mixer board, and four speakers. This will enable us to improve sound quality in indoor venues, and also make us more audible at outdoor performances.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

• Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions. We especially need crew members for the night of One Act Plays.

• Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

• Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

• AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Upcoming Shows

The Secret Garden: July 21 to 23 and 28 to 30 at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center (PAC). Directed by David Metcalf. Auditions to be held in Mid-May, watch our social media channels for more info.

Future Fungus News - January 2023

Happy New Year, FungusAmongus Friends!

Thank you to all who attended "The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut and the Slaughter of the Twelve Hit Carols in a Pear Tree" in December!

We had a tremendous turnout for our Christmas show and once again we would not be able to do this without our audiences and volunteers. 

Night of One Act Auditions - THIS WEEK!

Our Night of One Acts will have auditions this week: Thursday January 5th @ 6:30 PM and Saturday January 7th also at 6:30 PM at the Dassel History Center.

Below are the titles of the shows being cast for, their directors, and a brief synopsis of each show.

"Animal" By Oliver Hailly, Directed by Elvin Clark

Claire Marie’s mother is frustrated. She has people coming for a celebration and her 12 year old daughter has climbed a tree and will not come down! Animal is a dark comedy monologue that requires an actress with a comic edge

Role:
1 Actress

"Death Knocks" By Woody Allen, Directed by Tom Nelson

Nat Ackermann is on his bed reading when a mysterious figure climbs through his window and claims to be Death. Death is a little nervous; it's his first day on the job. Nat suggests that they play a game of gin rummy. If Nat wins, he doesn't have to go to the Happy Hunting Ground for twenty four hours.

Roles:
Two adult men

"The End of the Beginning" By Sean O'Casey, Directed by David Metcalf

"The End of the Beginning" is one of Sean O'Casey's very few comedies. An Irish farmer and his wife argue about which of them has the toughest job. They agree to switch duties for a day and then compare who succeeds best - with catastrophic results!

Roles:
2 middle aged men
1 middle aged woman
NOTE: It is imperative that all three can demonstrate mastery of an authentic Irish accent.

"Hidden in This Picture" By Aaron Sorkin, Directed by Linda Metcalf

Production is 3 weeks behind and $6 million over budget.  Now the sun is setting with only 11 minutes left to film before the bigwigs shut down production. . . .when 3 cows gradually wander into the panoramic scene.   

Roles:
1.  Robert -- director of film
2.  Jeff -- writer of words and more words  
3.  Reuben -- Business/money manager trying to get a show out of this money-eating movie.
4.  Craig -- well-meaning shlep/ geek  assistant (comic relief)
ANY of these parts could be played by women.

"Swan Song" By Anton Chekov, Directed by Isaac Olson

"Swan Song" presents Svietlovidoff, an old actor in the twilight of his career, reminiscing about his life and journey as an actor with Ivanitch, the theatre's prompter. Their bittersweet recollections reveal the light and dark (and ups and downs) in not only the life of an actor, but also the life of a man

Roles:
The play requires two mature experienced actors.

Performances will February 17th - 19th & 24th - 26th at the Dassel History Center.

Please note: All participants 18 years and older must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under 18 are encouraged to be vaccinated.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

• Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

• Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

• AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! (New sound system coming soon!)

• Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Upcoming Shows

A Night of One Acts: February 17 to 19 and 24 to 26 at the Dassel History Center. Five different directors present various short plays including our 2023 MACTFest entry!

The Secret Garden: July 21 to 23 and 28 to 30 at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center (PAC). Directed by David Metcalf.

Future Fungus News - December 2022

Merry Christmas, FungusAmongus Friends!

Don't wait to get your “Butterfingers!” Tickets are selling quickly…

Get your tickets now for “The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut and the Slaughter of Twelve Hit Carols in a Pear Tree.”

• Show dates: December 9 to 11 and 16 to 18

• Tickets here: https://buy.ticketstothecity.com/venue.php?org_id=413

• The story: Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus from a fresh and richly creative point of view, author William Gibson combines a series of deftly constructed short scenes, traditional Christmas music, and often antic characterizations into an ultimately moving Christmas show.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FundusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

1. Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

2. Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

3. AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! (New sound system coming soon!)

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Auditions slated:

A Night of One Act Plays: Open Auditions for 5 One Act plays, Thursday January 5th and Saturday January 7th, 6:30 PM at the Dassel-History Center. 

The Secret Garden: mid-May, 2023. Watch for our newsletter and social media for dates and details.

For your 2023 calendar:

• A Night of One Acts: February 24 to 26 and  March 3 to 5 at the Dassel History Center. Five shows, four different directors.

• The Secret Garden: July 21 to 23 and 28 to 30 at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center (PAC).

Future Fungus News - November 2022

Hello, FungusAmongus Friends:

FIrst, we want to thank everyone who helped with or attended Nunsense II. The laughter during the performances raised the roof, and we are glad you all enjoyed it. We appreciate you. Now, here is some additional news you can use:

The Butterfingers Angel - tickets are now on sale!

Get your tickets now for this fun and heartfelt Christmas show.

• Show dates: December 9 to 11 and 16 to 18

• Tickets here: https://buy.ticketstothecity.com/venue.php?org_id=413

• The story: Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus from a fresh and richly creative point of view, author William Gibson combines a series of deftly constructed short scenes, traditional Christmas music, and often antic characterizations into a wholly original theater piece. Directed by David Metcalf.

• See some pictures above from a recent rehearsal!

Now hear this!

We are excited to announce that FungusAmongus has received a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council in the amount of $10,000 for a new sound system!

• The sound system will be used for both indoor and outdoor productions, making them more accessible to all.

• The grant covers all but $2,000 of the sound system’s cost.

• Tremendous gratitude and thanks to board members Jon Benson and Carolyn Holje for their dedicated research and copious time spent on this project.

Give to the Max Day is Friday, November 17

You can now donate to FungusAmongus on Give to the Max Day!

• The statewide day of giving helps raise funds for many worthy non-profits, and we hope you’ll consider making a tax deductible gift  to FungusAmongus this year.

• Your financial support ensures we can keep creating quality productions right here in our neighborhood.  

Donate here: https://www.givemn.org/giving-events/gtmd22

Upcoming shows

Mark your calendars now for our upcoming shows!

A Night of One Acts: February 17 - 19 and 24 - 26 at the Dassel History Center. Four different directors present various short plays including our 2023 MACTFest entry!

The Secret Garden: July 21 to 23 and 28 to 30 at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center (PAC). Directed by David Metcalf.

Future Fungus News - October 2022

Thank you to our patrons who visited the Little Sisters of Hoboken during their opening weekend! Four performances remain to see “Nunsense II - the Second Coming.” Reviews are stellar for this hilarious continuation, and tickets are selling quickly.  We are praying you get yours in time for next Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or a matinee on Sunday. Tickets HERE.

Ho, ho ho, let’s talk about our Christmas show! (Take a big breath.) It is called “The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut, and the Slaughter of Twelve Hit Carols in a Pear Tree.” Auditions take place Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dassel History Center. The plan is to read through the entire play to get to know and enjoy it - and share a few laughs and maybe tears. Adults as well as a few teens and children will be needed for this show. The performances will take place December 9 to 11 and 16 to 18 at the Dassel History Center.

Finally, we are thrilled to announce our summer 2023 show is “The Secret Garden, the Musical” which will take place at the Performing Arts Center on the Dassel-Cokato High School campus. Performances will be the last two weekends in July 2023.

Watch for more news about upcoming auditions and productions (Winter 2023 Night of One Acts) on our social media sites or in additional emails and blog posts. And mark your calendars, too.
See you at auditions and the shows.
We remain grateful for your support.

Prayers have been answered! Tickets for Nunsense II are now available!

That’s right! The FungusAmongus Players are coming back to the stage with “Nunsense II: The Second Coming.”  We urge you to visit www.fungusamongusplayers.org/currentshow, and purchase tickets soon - our first Nunsense show was a complete sell out, and you don't want to miss this one. You can also order tickets by phone - just call the Dassel History Center at 320-275-3077, and the friendly staff will assist you. Performance dates are: September 30, and October 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

You also might want to put the dates for auditions and other upcoming shows on your calendar now, too.  Here is what is in the works:

“The Butterfingers Angel, Mary & Joseph, Herod the Nut, & the Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree” is our holiday show.  Auditions will take place Wednesday, October 12 at the Dassel History Center, beginning  at 6 p.m. There are roles for adults, as well as for five teens, and two children. We welcome everyone to auditions - no experience necessary. Come have fun with FungusAmongus Players! Directed by David Metcalf, this piece portrays the story of the nativity from a fresh and richly creative point of view, using deftly constructed short scenes, traditional Christmas music, and often antic characterizations. Performance dates are: December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18.

Join us in February 2023 for a "Night of One Acts." Four directors will each present one short play. Each show is completely different from the others, but a common theme runs among them. Can you guess what it might be?

And, for Summer 2023, we plan to present a musical.  Stay tuned for more details.

In other FungusAmongus news:

* Watch our website and social media (Facebook and Instagram) for audition info and other items of theatrical importance.

* Watch for us in Dassel's Red Rooster Days parade on Saturday, September 3. Former cast and crew members please join us!

* Funds donated during coffee time at show intermissions will be used to help us purchase a new sound system. We welcome any and all donations at any time, and thank you in advance. FungusAmongus is a 501c3 organization.

* Like to sew? We would love to have you assist us with costumes. Contact any board member if you're interested, or message us via our website or Facebook Messenger.

* Are you a proud tech nerd? We need you! Come help out with lights or  sound for our plays and let your skills shine. Contact any board member if you're interested, or message us via our website or Facebook Messenger.

From the FungusAmongus Board of Directors, June 20th 2022

Hello to FungusAmongus Players supporters, fans, actors, crews, and other interested parties:

We have a bit of sad news to get out of the way, but stick with us - there's good news, too.

First: Auditions for a summer Shakespearean play pulled in some top-notch performers. Unfortunately, when we reviewed how many parts remained open after auditions, scheduling conflicts among the actors, and the threat of having to cancel shows due to COVID-19 exposure as we did last summer, it became obvious a summer show just wasn't viable this summer.  We will try again next summer.

The good news:

1. Shows are being put on the calendar as we send this. We know “Nunsense 2 - the Second Coming” will be our fall production with our same cast returning from the first "Nunsense".

2. We also have chosen our holiday show. Ready? It's “The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut, and the Slaughter of Twelve Hit Carols in a Pear Tree.” We will need several teens, adults, and even one or two roles for children. Watch for audition info on Facebook and our website!

3. If you are looking for theatre opportunity this summer former student of Dave Metcalf and current head of the University of Minnesota Theatre department, Luverne Seifert is looking for performers to do Pop-Up performances at the McLeod County fair in August. Auditions are coming up this week June 22nd and June 23rd. For more information click HERE.

4. Another evening of one-act shows is coming in early 2023. We have at least three directors ready to tackle the job.

5. We are in the process of revising our website to be more user-friendly. As always you can find the latest FA news on our Facebook page. Plus, you'll see us more often on Instagram.

6. We covet your ideas. Tell us about shows you would like to see or if you would like to be involved in crews or learning tech for our shows!
   

Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for more details about our upcoming shows. We miss you, and can't wait to see you at our performances.

Sincerely,
                 The FungusAmongus Board of Directors

A little love from a friend from Stillwater

Think of this post as a bit like a digital newspaper clipping you'd hang on your fridge at home! We like to keep things real and quaint-like. 

Many thanks to FungusAmongus' friend, Jon Skaalen, from Stillwater's community theatre, Ole Olson Onstage. We're blessed to have such a great community like Dassel-Cokato to support us in our efforts, and the lovely friends in the community theatre world, like John and so many others!

(from Dassel-Cokato Enterprise Dispatch. July 14, 2017)