NEWS RELEASE from Little Traverse Civic Theatre 12-27-07

Director, Julie Stoppel, is gearing up for Little Traverse Civic Theatre's auditions for the children's show, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood . The show is an hysterical romp into and out of Sherwood Forest with an egotistical but lovable Robin, his ridiculous, bumbling band of merry men and women, and his ever-faithful Maid Marion. According to Stoppel, it is best described as "Monty Python for kids". The play is narrated by Sherwood's "Townie" who saves the day when Prince John plots to marry Marion off to the vile Sheriff of Nottingham. The play is rich physical comedy and silliness, and is designed for actors aged 10 – 18.

Auditions will take place Thursday, January 3 rd at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 5 th at 10:00 a.m. in the Ross Stoakes Theatre at the Crooked Tree Arts Center at 461 E. Mitchell Street in downtown Petoskey. No parts have been pre-cast and all young people from 10 – 18 are invited to audition. Perusal scripts are available at the front desk of the Petoskey Public Library for anyone who wants to read it in advance of the auditions. Stoppel and her Assistant Director, Dean Tahtinen, will use a combination of reading and improvisation at the auditions. Anyone who is interested in working in any of the technical and backstage areas of the show is encouraged to attend the auditions as well, as there will be people there to talk to about what the various jobs entail and the time commitment involved.

Rehearsals are currently planned for Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 – 8:30 in the evening and Saturday mornings from 10:00 – 12:00 beginning the week after auditions. Additional and longer rehearsals should be anticipated closer to the time of the show. The show dates are February 21 – 24 and February 28 – March 2. For further information call the civic theatre office at 231.348.1850.

NEWS RELEASE from Little Traverse Civic Theatre 4-15-07 (see photo)

Little Traverse Civic Theatre is currently in rehearsal for their spring production "Moon Over Buffalo" by Ken Ludwig. Audience members who saw LTCT's production of Ludwig's "Lend Me A Tenor" are already familiar with his brand of humor and know that there will be lots of fast paced fun.

In “Moon Over Buffalo”, George and Charlotte Hay are trying valiantly to keep their repertory theatre company on its feet in 1953, performing “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “Private Lives” at alternating performances. Currently they are performing in Buffalo , New York having just been passed over for roles in an upcoming Frank Kapra movie. To make matters worse, their only child, Rosalind, has announced she no longer wants to be part of the crazy theatre world and Charlotte is fed up with George's philandering ways. Hilarious circumstances ensue on this particular day when the company's ingénue announces that she is pregnant, Charlotte leaves George, he decides to get drunk to drown his sorrows, Rosalind brings her new fiancé (a television weatherman) to the theatre to meet her parents, and Frank Kapra's office phones to say that Mr. Kapra will be at the matinee because his star has broken his leg and can't do the film and so he is looking for a replacement. Everyone pulls together to get the show underway but a drunken George dresses for “Cyrano” while the rest of the cast prepares to perform “Private Lives”. The results are hilarious!!

This wonderful farce is directed by Ms. Aleta Watton who is a newcomer to LTCT but certainly not to theatre. Watton has directed over 200 shows, both professionally and as an amateur, including the current traveling production of “Godspell”.

“Moon Over Buffalo” will be performed May 10 th through the13 th and 17 th through the 21 st at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey. May 13 and 21 are Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. and all the rest of the performances are at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for May 10, 13, and 21 are $10 each. All other performances, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. A champagne afterglow will be held after the performance on Friday, May 11.

As of this season, LTCT has implemented a new ticket sales policy. All tickets reserved in advance must be paid for at the time of the reservation. Tickets may be purchased beginning Monday, April 30 th by visiting the box office at the Crooked Tree Arts Center between 10 and 2, Monday through Saturday; by calling 231-348-1850 any time and leaving your reservation and credit card information; or by going to the group's website, www.ltct.org . Tickets may also be purchased at the door beginning 30 minutes before curtain.

NEWS RELEASE from Little Traverse Civic Theatre 3-20-07 (see photo)

The Board of Little Traverse Civic Theatre is pleased to announce that Betsy Willis has joined their staff as their Managing Director. Willis previously served as the corporation's Business Manager. She has been an active volunteer with the organization since 1977, appearing onstage, directing many shows, and serving on the Board of Directors in various roles. Recently, she was elected to the Community Theatre Association of Michigan Board.

In 2007, Willis returned to Northwood University to complete her degree in Business Management and returned to LTCT with a business proposal, which the Board accepted. She will assume many of the duties she previously had as the Business Manager as well as structure the organization's yearly marketing and promotion campaign and implement a three-tiered development plan for the group. In the immediate future, Willis will utilize her extensive knowledge of LTCT to encourage donors to support the increased budgetary needs of the group.

Willis is thrilled to return to the theatre that has been her home for 30 years. According to Willis, “Theatre, both the creative aspects and the necessary business elements are my passion. I have had the privilege of developing my artistic skills, as a volunteer, under the tutelage of many talented individuals in LTCT. When I knew it was time for me to pursue my passion for theatre as a career, I thought, ‘ I am going to do this job somewhere and I'd rather stay here with the people who have become my second family'. I am so grateful for the opportunities that LTCT has afforded me in the past and I look forward to great things as we look to the future.”

The business office of Little Traverse Civic Theatre is located in the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey. Willis invites anyone to stop by or give her a call at 231-348-1850. She will happily give you a tour of the facility, answer questions about the future plans of LTCT, or set you up as a volunteer.

NEWS RELEASE from Little Traverse Civic Theatre 3-20-07 (see photos)

The Great Cross Country Race is a comic retelling of the classic fable The Tortoise and The Hare. In this version, Mr. Fleet, the hare, doesn't fall asleep in the field, but has a tendency to get diverted during the race. While Mr. Fleet's getting caught up in his diversions, Mr. Sloe, the tortoise, keeps slowly and steadily plodding along. During the race, Mr. Basket, the dog, runs along as referee and is continually helping Mr. Fleet get back on track to stay in the race. Along the way, the racers check in with various woodland animals and try to avoid all encounters with humans, which is almost impossible to do. As Mr. Sett, the badger who is the leader of the woodland animals states, “They (the humans) can't do anything properly, and yet they rule the world. Remarkable!” This is a play performed by children for the enjoyment of the entire family.

The play previews on Thursday, March 22 with the official opening, including an Afterglow, on Friday, March 23. The show continues Saturday and Sunday, March 24 th and 25 th , and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday March 29 th – 31 st . The curtain time for evening performances is 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m. Performances take place in the Ross Stoakes Theater of the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, for all performances. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the box office between 10 and 2, Monday through Saturday, by calling 231-348-1850 any time, by reserving online at www.ltct.org , or 30 minutes before curtain at any performance.

NEWS RELEASE from Little Traverse Civic Theatre 2-21-07

Proof by David Auburn is a contemporary drama set in Chicago. On the eve of her 25th birthday, Catherine, a young woman who has spend years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a mathematical genius named Robert, must deal not only with the arrival of her estranged sister Claire but also with the attentions of Hal, a former student of her father's. Hal hopes to find one or more valuable mathematical proofs in the 103 notebooks Robert filled with writing during his periods of mental illness. As Catherine confronts Hal's affections and Claire's overbearing plans for her life, she also struggles with how much of her father's madness and/or genius she has inherited. Proof is directed by professional actor, Gary Albert, and starts semi-professional actress, Jamie Platte, in the lead role of Catherine. Doug Flewelling, another semi-professional actor takes on the role of Robert; Nikki Devitt, a newcomer to LTCT's stage plays Claire; and the cast is rounded out by Mike Deschermeier as Hal.

Little Traverse Civic Theatre's production of Proof will be presented February 22 - 25 and March 1 - 4 at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey. Curtain times are 2:00 pm for the Sunday matinees and all other shows are at 8:00 pm. Tickets vary in price depending on the show date. Please note that there is strong language in Proof and it may not be suitable for young children. For further information call 231-348-1850 or visit our box office page. A live voice will answer your call Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, at all other times you will receive a recorded announcement.

For this production, LTCT is offering a special student rate of $10 on March first. Any student in the area, young or not so young, who attends and brings their student I.D. with them, will receive the discounted rate.

Story by Betsy Willis

NEWS RELEASE from Little Traverse Civic Theatre 2-17-06 (see photo)
As part of Little Traverse Civic Theatre's recent production of "The Christmas Schooner" a free will offering was taken every night to benefit either a local charity or the modern day Christmas Tree Ship Committee. The moral of the show "The Christmas Schooner" is that, "our blessings are not ours to keep, they are meant to passed along". A total of $2,157. was collected over the eight performances. For the most part, local charities were chosen because so much aid has gone elsewhere in the previous year due to natural disasters here in the U.S. and abroad. 

NEWS RELEASE from Little Traverse Civic Theatre 12-02-05
The story of The Christmas Schooner, the current production by Little Traverse Civic Theatre, delivers a clear message about giving, which is featured in one of the most beautiful songs from the show. The message is, "Our blessings aren't ours to keep, they're meant to be passed along". Last year's director, Gary Albert, wanted the show and its audience to exemplify this message so he asked that there be a benefit performance one night and a free will offering taken every night to benefit a named charity. This year's director, Betsy Willis, saw no reason to change that plan. 
Thursday, December 8's preview performance is also a benefit for Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity. Tickets for those wishing to attend the benefit are $50 each and all proceeds above expenses will be sent to our local Habitat for Humanity. Those purchasing benefit tickets will be treated to a private, wine and hors d'oeuvres pre-glow reception and a dessert and coffee afterglow with the cast and crew. In addition they will have premiere seating for the show. The free will offering taken at the end of the show on the 8th will also benefit Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity. 
The scheduled nights for the other free will offerings are: 
Friday, December 9 - Little Traverse Bay Humane Society 
Saturday, December 10 - Manna Project 
Sunday, December 11 - Coats for Kids 
Thursday, December 15 - American Red Cross - local services 
Friday, December 16 - Friendship Center's Meals on Wheels 
Saturday, December 17 - Nehemiah Project Hospitality House 
Sunday, December 18 - Chicago Christmas Ship Committee 
Willis wanted to put an emphasis on local charities this year as so many charitable gifts have been given nationally to victims of 2005's numerous natural disasters, local charities are seeing a cut in their resources. The exception to this is the Chicago Christmas Ship Committee which is the organization that makes it possible for the US Coast Guard to continue its yearly voyage from Cheboygan, Michigan to Chicago, loaded with Christmas trees for families who could not otherwise afford to have one. When LTCT performed The Christmas Schooner last year, they did not know how to support this program that is a direct result of the story of the schooner, so Willis felt they had to be one of the recipients this year. 
"The Christmas Schooner" is a fast-paced, lively musical suitable for anyone over the age of five. The production's Preview Night on Thursday, December 8, 2005 is open to the public with tickets at $8 for just the performance. The December 8th performance is at 8:00 p.m. Other 8:00 performances are Dec. 9, 10, 15, 16, & 17 and ticket for these shows are $15 for adults and $8 for children under the age of 12. Sunday matinees are Dec. 11 & 18 at 2pm. Both Sunday matinees are $8 for all guests, however the December 18th matinee is already completely sold out. For additional information on performances or to arrange tickets, please call 231-348-1850 or visit www.ltct.org. Little Traverse Civic Theatre performs in downtown Petoskey at the Crooked Tree Arts Center and has been providing performing arts productions for the surrounding community for 60 years.

NEWS RELEASE from Little Traverse Civic Theatre (see photo)
It seems that each and every time Little Traverse Civic Theatres performs a play, someone new appears onstage and their 2005 production of "The Christmas Schooner" is no exception. In fact there are ten newcomers in this show. 
Jennifer Brabant and Melissa Dvorak are brand new to the Petoskey area and both are employed by Northern Michigan Hospital. Melissa is a Physician Assistant in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery and Jennifer is in the Rehab Services department. They bring a wealth of theatre experience with them from downstate and Wisconsin respectively. 
Clem Turner's mom called the director, Betsy Willis, and said she had read that the auditions called for a ten year old and her son, Clem, was only nine, could he still come? Since the little boy in the play is actually nine, Willis said it would be all right and when she heard that Clem had played Winthrop in "Music Man" last year in the Petoskey school production, she offered even more encouragement as his performance nearly stole the show. 
Phillip McLellan and Alexandra Myers are both students at Petoskey High School and are active in band and choir. McLellan came along after receiving a call from a mutual friend of Willis and his. Willis had mentioned to the friend that she was looking for a 15-year-old male who could sing and act and he thought he knew just the right person. Myers has previously appeared in Performers' Workshop shows and came along to auditions for LTCT because she likes musicals. 
"The Christmas Schooner" became a family affair for the Bednars after son, Will, appeared as the nine-year-old boy last year. He enjoyed the experience so much that he came back to audition this year and brought most of his family with him. His father, John, is an emergency room physician at Northern Michigan Hospital and a talented performer who has appeared at Bay View and with his children at the Performers' Workshop. Although Will had grown up too much to play the young boy again, he was double cast with Phillip as the older boy and Willis couldn't resist creating a role for his talented sister, Chelsea. Chelsea is eleven and plays violin as well as being a vocalist and actress. 
Marne and Katelyn Meszaros live in Boyne City and came along to auditions so that Katelyn could get some experience and see what it was all about. In order to make her daughter feel more comfortable, Marne agreed to sing a duet with her and Willis cast them both, much to Marne's great surprise. While Marne has ballet experience she had never been in a play and is enjoying this special time with her daughter. Katelyn, who is ten, has never been in any plays except at school and admits to being scared but still having fun. 
Petra Stoppel is also part of a talented performing family, Her sister, Hannah, appeared in "The Christmas Schooner" last year and Petra decided to come along and audition with her this year. The musical doesn't actually call for any children other than the two boys, but when Willis had so many talented youngsters come along to audition she felt she had to cast some of them. After all, Christmas is for the young and the young at heart and should be a family time; so four children joined the cast. Petra agreed to take on the role of a little boy and her previous stage performances have given her the experience to do this. 
"The Christmas Schooner" is a fast-paced, lively musical suitable for any age. The production's Preview Night on Thursday, December 8, 2005 is open to the public with tickets at $8 for just the performance or $50 for a special preglow, afterglow, and a donation to Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity. The December 8th performance is at 8:00 p.m. Other 8:00 performances are Dec. 9, 10, 15, 16, & 17 and ticket for these shows are $15 for adults and $8 for children under the age of 12. Sunday matinees are Dec. 11 & 18 at 2pm. Both Sunday matinees are $8 for all guests. For additional information on performances or to arrange tickets, please call 231-348-1850 or visit www.ltct.org. Little Traverse Civic Theatre performs in downtown Petoskey at the Crooked Tree Arts Center and has been providing performing arts productions for the surrounding community for 60 years.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Civic Theatre performance will benefit Habitat for Humanity
The Little Traverse Civic Theatre will host a benefit performance of its holiday production, "The Christmas Schooner;" to raise awareness and money for the Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity.
Recent natural disasters sparked the idea to partner this year with Habitat for Humanity. A quote from the actual production states that "Our blessings aren't our to keep, they're meant to be passed along."
That is exactly the plan for the Thursday, Dec. 8, performance of "The Christmas Schooner" of which all proceeds over the regular ticket price will be donated to Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity.
"We are so fortunate, and indeed blessed, to live in a part of the country where few natural disasters directly affect our lives," said the production's director Betsy Willis.
:Elsewhere, there has been so much devastation from hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma and now the deadly tornados in Kentucky and Indiana, that housing resources are stretched to the limit. It seems then that one blessing we can pass along is to help our local Habitat for Humanity so that they can continue their fine work, while freeing up other resources for nationwide recovery," Willis explained.
"The Christmas Schooner" is a lively holiday musical suitable for any age. The production will run Dec 8-18 with Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances each week. Tickets to evening performances are $15 for adults and $8 for children under the age of 12. Tickets to preview night on Thursday, Dec. 8 and to both Sunday matinees are $8.
Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity benefit tickets for Dec. 8 are $50 per person, with all proceeds over the regular ticket price going to charity. Benefit tickets include admission to a special pre-glow and afterglow with the cast. The pre-glow will begin at 7 p.m. with the performance starting at 8 p.m. 
Reserve your benefit ticket now.

Monday, November 7, 2005
'Christmas Schooner' sets sail again this holiday season (see photo)
Civic Theatre play opens in December
The Little Traverse Civic Theatre will present the holiday musical "The Christmas Schooner" again this year.
For more than 10 years, audiences across the country have enjoyed this hear-warming holiday production, which brings to the stage the real-life tales of Michigan sailors who transported Christmas trees to the distressed citizens of Chicago after the great fire of 1871.
Most notable to Northern Michigan, is that the ship's holiday voyage was resurrected in 2003 by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, which has become a modern day "Christmas Tree Ship" and sets sail this year on Nov. 28 from Cheboygan.
Betsy Willis is directing the artistic aspects of the Little Traverse Civic Theatre production with musical direction by Gig Stewart. Set in the late 19th century, "The Christmas Schooner" tells the tale of the Stossel family, a German born shipping family residing in Manistique. After receiving a sorrowful letter from his relative in Chicago, he decides to load his ship with Christmas trees and brave the November waters of the Great Lakes in an effort to provide Chicago immigrants with a taste of their homeland tradition. His wife, Alma, opposes the idea because of the danger; but Peter is determined and thus begins a story that spans six years of a holiday mission.
"The Christmas Schooner" is a fast-paced, lively musical suitable for any age. The production opens with preview night on THursday, Dec 8, with all tickets at $8. Performance dates and times are as follows: 8 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, and 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18. All shows will be in the Ross Stoakes Theatre of the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey. Tickets to evening performances are $15 for adults and $8 for children under the age of 12. Tickets to preview night and both Sunday matinees are $8 for all guests.

Friday, September 16, 2005
'Jungalbook' cast plans critter fund-raiser (see photo)
The "animals" in the cast of Little Traverse Civic Theatre's Children's Theatre production of "Jungalbook" will be conducting a fund-raiser Saturday, Sept 17, in Petoskey's Pennsylvania Park.
The critters will be selling Beanie Babies for donations from 11a.m.-2 p.m. in the park. Proceeds from the event will be given to an organization in Louisiana caring for the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The "Jungalbook" is based on the Mowgli stories by Rudyard Kipling. The play will be staged Oct. 20-23 at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey. For more information, call the Little Traverse Civic Theatre box office at 348-1850.

Thursday, April 14, 2005
Newcomers to local theater stage join cast of 'Communicating Doors' (see photo)
New talent will be appearing in the Little Traverse Civic Theatre's upcoming comedy/thriller "Communicating Doors" by Alan Ayckbourn. Susan Brown and Jim Wylie will appear before Northern Michigan audiences for the first time. While both are no strangers to performing onstage, neither has appeared with the local theater group. 
When Brown was 6, she moved with her family to Alanson from a town near Moline, Ill. She attended Littlefield schools and went on to Michigan State University, where she graduated with a major in advertising and minor in theater. While she had appeared in "Romeo and Juliet" and "Dr. Frankenstein's Monster" in high school, she found it impossible to be in any of the plays at MSU because of the time commitment required. Brown has been back in Northern Michigan for two years working at Emphasys Computer Solutions as a marketing associate. She will portray the newlywed wife in "Communicating Doors" later this month.
Performing opposite Brown is the other newcomer; Jim Wylie, who plays her husband, Reece. Wylie was raised in Flint and after graduating from high school moved to Los Angeles, where he began building sets for the movie industry. He developed a love for film work so he moved on to Chicago to attend film school. After graduating, he returned to Los Angeles and became a cameraman, starting his career working alongside the Oscar award winning cinematographer of "A River Runs Through It". Wylie says that was the high point of his film career and from there on he worked on shows like "Bikini Car Wash 2." When a close friend of Wylie's died, he decided to leave the city rat race and move to Northern Michigan. Wylie is currently renovating and selling old homes and adjusting to small town life. Wylie's stage experience varies greatly from Brown's. He has appeared as an extra in many films, including "Somewhere in Time", shot on Mackinac Island, and as a performer in many punk rock bands.
"Communicating Doors" will be performed April 21-24 and 28-30 at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey. The Sunday, April 24 show is a 2 p.m. matinee, with all other shows at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults on Thursday, April 21, and Sunday, April 24; and $12 for adults for all other performances.

Friday, March 25, 2005
Communicating Doors
Little Traverse Civic Theatre has cast its April production "Communicating Doors". (see photo)

Wednesday, December 8, 2004
Civic theatre group hosts auditions for children's show
For the first time in more than 25 years, the Little Traverse Civic Theatre is presenting a show for children, with a cast of children.
Director Sabra Hayden has chosen the non-musical version of "The Wizard of Oz" for the inaugural show in what the theatre group hopes will be an ongoing endeavor.  
Auditions for "The Wizard of Oz" will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Dec. 12-13 at the Bear River Heritage Building in Petoskey, located at 621 Ingalls.
This non-musical production is based on the characters created by Frank L. Baum in his book series.  Performance dates are Feb. 10-13, 2005.
Children ages 8 through 16 are encouraged to audition.  The only requirement is that the younger actors be proficient readers.  There are 18 named character roles as well as roles for extras.  The first read through will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18.  Since this story is so well known, scripts will not be made available prior to auditions.
For further information, contact Sabra Hayden at 675-5282 or 582-2077.

Wednesday, December 8, 2004
'Christmas Schooner' sails into Petoskey (see photo)
The spirit of the holidays can be found almost everywhere.  In store windows, front yards, and downtown streets, the air is alive with Yuletide blessings.  For one group of Northern Michigan actors, however, the Christmas spirit has been discovered in a less obvious place; 165-feet below Lake Michigan's surface.
The Little Traverse Civic Theatre will present the holiday musical 'The Christmas Schooner' Thursdays through Sundays, Dec. 9-12 and Dec. 16-19, based on the true story of the ill-fated Rouse Simmons.  The schooner, which sank in November 1912, delivered Christmas trees from the Upper Peninsula to Chicago on its last shipping voyage each season.
The story of what man called the "Christmas Tree Ship" and its "Santa Claus" captain, Herman Schuenemann, has lived on for more than 90 years.  His late November voyages on a wooden lumber schooner filled with Christmas trees has become one of the most romanticized shipwreck stories on the Great Lakes.
The Rouse Simmons, a three-mast, 123-foot wooden schooner, was part of a fleet of ships built following the Civil War.  Primarily used for shipping wheat and white pines, the popularity of such schooners among the shipping community dissipated as forests were stripped and wheat faded as a cash crop.  When steam-powered ships became more common, wooden schooners were sold off or left to disrepair; however, Captain Schuenemann found the Rouse Simmons a perfect match for his holiday cargo.
Some say Schuenemann--whose brother August was also lost at sea in a Christmas tree delivery three years before--was driven by commerce to sell trees direct from the docks of Chicago.  Others say it was a genuine love for bringing people holiday joy, as cited by a sign that hung amid the ship "without Christmas trees, there is no Christmas."
For Little Traverse Civic Theatre director Gary Albert, "The Christmas Schooner" looks beyond the "why" of the risky delivery and focuses instead on its end result.
"I imagine what appealed to the authors of this musical was the selfless act of bringing the Tannenbaum to a city whose trees were all destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire.  By putting their lives at risk by sailing on a winter lake, the trip itself was compelling enough.  "Whether or not the true story played out from feelings of compassion or simply by seizing an opportunity to make money probably had very little to do with it.  In the end, it made a lot of people in Chicago very happy and grateful," Albert said.
Schuenemann's last trip across the tumultuous November waters of Lake Michigan lasted just one day.
"The worst snowstorm in a century had blasted the Great Lakes just four days before, destroying 10 large freighters and littering the shoreline with debris," said Jim Graczyk, author of "A Field Guide to Chicago Hauntings."  
"More than 400 seamen already lost their lives in those disastrous days," Graczyk said.  He said the snowstorm buried the tree farms in Wisconsin, making the opportunity for a large profit too tough to resist.
"At Thompson Harbor, trees were being crammed into every available space on the Rouse Simmons.  It was well into the evening when the captain ordered more bundles of trees tied onboard the deck, row after row.  The schooner sagged under the weight of her fragrant cargo."
Shortly after leaving Thompson Harbor in the Upper Peninsula, his old wooden schooner was hit by gale force winds, heavy rain and snow.  Overloaded with 5,500 Christmas trees and weighted down by ice which accumulated on both the ship and the trees, the Rouse Simmons and its entire crew were lost off the coast of Two Rivers, Wis.
"From the station tower at Sturgeon Bay, Wis., men sighted the Rouse Simmons flying distress signals as she continued to move low in the water, driven along by the force of the gale.  A rescue team was dispatched in an attempt to intercept the suffering schooner.  Visibility was difficult and a two-hour search proved to be unsuccessful.
"Just then there was a break in the snowstorm and the ship was sighted.  From what the men could make of it, the ship was barely afloat and resembled a floating piece of ice.  Rescuers desperately moved full steam ahead but blinding snow again made it impossible to see the schooner.  The Rouse Simmons vanished from sight and was never seen again," Graczyk said.
For more than 25 years, fisherman in the area claimed their nets would become fouled with water-logged evergreens after heavy storms.  Some say the ghost of the ship still rides today through November gales.  Divers, who discovered the wreck in the early 1970s, reported the ship was resting upright, still packed with needle-less trees, waiting to be delivered.  
Following the Schuenemann's death, the annual Chicago Christmas Tree Ship tradition was continued thanks to the women in his family until the early 1930s, Albert said.
Today, the Coast Guard has taken on the role of the Christmas Ship.  It brings the cutter, Mackinaw, to Chicago each year to provide trees for needy families.
"Since 2000 the marine community of Chicago has pulled together to raise enough money to donate over 4,000 trees to needy families," said Captain Sonny Lisowski, chairman of the Christmas Ship executive committee.
"The United States Coast Guard brings the Mackinaw cutter from its home port in Cheboygan to Chicago to serve as the Christmas Tree Ship, where deserving families may come pick up a tree, and the public can tour the festively decorated boat," Lisowski said.
Like the modern day Christmas Tree Ship, the musical represents the spirit of giving.  The play, a heartfelt and happier version of the true events, tells the story of Peter Stossel and his family, an immigrant who brought joy to thousands of people in Chicago with his Christmas tree deliveries each year.
"The play also delves a little deeper into the lives of the people in the Upper Peninsula," Albert said.  "It is about the plight of the immigrant and the opportunities harvesting lumber provided.  It also tells of the rough life they led and how important family and tradition were."
The musical also tells the story of Stossel's wife, who cannot understand her husband's mission until the time comes when she too must choose between personal risk and service to others.
"The character of Peter Stossel in the play expresses, when pressed by his wife why he has to take the trees to Chicago, 'if I don't do it, it won't get done,'" Albert said. "I think if this play exemplifies anything, it is the selfless act of doing something for others.  By giving back what we have accumulated throughout our lifetime, others may enjoy their lives and perhaps, ease their plight by giving them something to hope for, such as human kindness."
As Albert and his crew prepare to bring the fateful journey of the Stossel's schooner the Molly Doone to life on the stage of the Ross Stoakes Theatre, he said he hopes the kindness of the Christmas tree captain is felt by audience members at each performance.  
"This show is about love, family, giving, and sacrifice; what great emotions to be celebrating during the holiday season and every day of our lives."
Preview night is 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, with tickets $8.  The play continues at 8 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18; tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under.  Two matinee performances will also be offered at 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 12 and 19, with tickets $8.  For further information, call 348-1850, or visit www.ltct.org. (this link will take you to the Box Office page)

Monday, November 29, 2004
Theatre-goers donate to several area charities (see photo)
In a scene from the play "The Christmas Schooner," the Stossel family practices a German holiday tradition by taking a branch of an evergreen and passing it from family members to friends.  While doing so, they sing "The Blessings of the Branch," a song that expresses one of the musical's main themes: "Our blessings are not ours to keep--they're meant to be passed along."
"May this branch bring you love, take it, and pass it on.
May the hope of peace shine bright in all our hearts tonight.
Take it and pass it on, and pass the love along."
The Little Traverse Civic Theatre is presenting "The Christmas Schooner" and has taken these words to heart by working to pass something along to the community.  Each of the eight performances will benefit a designated charity, and a special gala event ticket will be part of the festivities on Thursday, Dec. 9.
The preview performance of "The Christmas Schooner" is dedicated to H.A.N.D.S. (HIV/AIDS Network and Direct Services).  A block of tickets has been set aside that night and are available for $50 each to anyone who wishes to support H.A.N.D.S.  Anyone who purchases a gala ticket is invited to a pre-show wine and hors d'oeuvres reception beginning at 7 p.m. in the gallery at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey.  Ticket holders will also have the opportunity to meet the cast and crew at a dessert and coffee afterglow immediately following the performance.  The proceeds, over and above admission and expenses, will help H.A.N.D.S. continue to provide life saving services such as HIV testing and counseling and educational services.
The regular preview night ticket price of $8 will also be available to anyone who wishes to attend the show and not participate in the gala.  A free will offering will also be taken at the door on preview night to benefit H.A.N.D.S.
On subsequent nights the free will offering will go to: 
  Friday, Dec. 10--Salvation Army
  Saturday, Dec. 11--Toys for Tots
  Sunday, Dec. 12--Friendship Centers of Emmet County's Meals on Wheels
  Thursday, Dec. 16--Woman's Resource Center
  Friday, Dec. 17--Nehemiah Project
  Saturday, Dec. 18--Manna Project
  Sunday, Dec. 19--Coats for Kids.
Tickets for the Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10 and 11, and Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 16-18, shows are $15 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under.  Showtime is 8 p.m.
Tickets for the 2 p.m. matinee performances on Sundays, Dec. 12 and 19, are $8 for all.
All performances will take place in the Ross Stoakes Theatre of the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey.  For further information or to reserve tickets call 348-1850, or go online to www.ltct.org. (this link will take you to the Box Office page)

Friday, October 1, 2004
'Techies' are the backbone of a production (see photo)
Being a crewmember, more frequently referred to as a "techie" on a theater production comes with its own rewards and challenges.
No make up or costumes are necessary and there is no fear that lines will be dropped during the play.  However, techies have their own responsibilities in making sure that a production goes on and runs smoothly.
The Little Traverse Civic Theatre has a ratio of seven techies to one actor for the upcoming show, "The Rainmaker". More than 49 techies support the seven actors who will appear on stage in the October play.  The tech positions are many and varied and their work may be visible to the audience or they may be totally behind the scenes.
Tech positions include the director, producers, stage managers, set designer, set construction crew, set finishers (they paint back drops, paint and texture walls, etc.), set dressers (who furnish the set with furniture, curtains, etc.), props personnel (they gather props and then set and remove them during the show), light designer, light technician, sound designer, sound technician, hair and make-up artists, costume designer and sewing crew.  To complete this list of necessary techies add publicity, box office, ushers and afterglow on opening night.
After the show closes, all techies strike, or remove, items from the set which entails everything utilized on and off stage being disassembled and stored for the next production.
Being a techie is fun and rewarding, but it may also mean sometimes inadvertently being part of the action.  For example, when an actor threw a radio out the stage window as part of his stage direction, a stage manager was clipped in the nose by the radio as he tried to catch it.  Techies may also have to react quickly to remedy unforeseen happenings onstage: cleaning up and replacing glasses that spilled and crashed to the stage floor during a performance, rushing to find ice for an actor who was hit with an all-too-real stage punch, assisting exhausted pall bearers who nearly dropped an actor in a casket as they were leaving the stage and the light crew using flashlights to spot actors on stage when circuits blew.
Although their responsibilities are different from the actors, their goal is the same--producing the best show possible.
Often unseen and faceless to the audience these talented people will give the actors the setting, the visual flavor, the sound and the mood to make "The Rainmaker" come alive on the Ross Stoakes Theatre stage at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey.

Thursday, July 29, 2004
Unsung heroes bring 'Little Shop of Horrors' to life (see photo)
When the house lights come up at the end of each night's production of Little Traverse Civic Theatre's "Little Shop of Horrors," the audience walks away humming one of the tunes that caught their attention, or remembering flashes of the colorful set, costumes, or puppets.  The one thing they don't think about is the unsung heroes behind the production.
The actors and orchestra members get all the applause, but without the hundreds of hours or work put in by dozens of people on the backstage crew, the audience would be looking at actors singing and dancing in street clothes on an empty black stage.
All of the members of the technical crew who work behind the scenes deserve a hand, but there are a few who truly deserve a standing ovation--Jodi Riggs, Dee Lewis and Terry Stead.
According to the play's director Pat Stedman, "This show wouldn't look the way it does without the commitment and talent of these three individuals."
Jodi Riggs, one of the many volunteers who painted the set, came in within the last week to lend her talents.  Her background is in commercial art training."
"It's a lost art, now that everything has become computer generated.  I'm a dinosaur," Riggs said.
Looking at the meticulously painted set, the audience sees Riggs touches in the realistic looking smudges, wall cracks and holes in the windows of the Skid Row set.  She also painted the eight-foot long banner used by chorus members at the beginning of the play.
Dee Lewis, whose background and education is in interior designing, is in charge of costuming the entire "Little Shop of Horrors" cast.  She became involved in theater productions when her children were younger and in drama in school.  From there, she moved up to working with AHA! and the Crooked Tree Youth Theater.  Costuming is never an easy job, but "Little Shop of Horrors" presented its own challenges to Lewis who had dress the "scum of the earth" to do-wop singers, to a male actor who has to play five different characters, one of which is a woman.
"I like the people involved in theater, and the excitement that goes on backstage.  My interior design background lends a different look to the costumes, in balance and color."
When Terry Stead volunteered to be the puppeteer for "Little Shop", he had no idea that he would end up having to redesign the set to accommodate a very large puppet rented fro the production.  He then had to reconstruct the same puppet in order to fit the set.  On opening day, when the rest of the cast and crew where supposed to be at the theater at 5:30 p.m., Stead was leaving his house at 9 a.m. because he was going to "make that plant (puppet) talk!".
The tree people mentioned above are representative of the hard work and efforts of the more than 100 volunteers involved with this production.
Tickets are still available for this weekend's "Little Shop of Horrors" shows by calling 348-1850.  The play will be performed at 8 p.m. today through Saturday, July 29-31, in the Ross Stoakes Theatre in the Crooked Tree Arts Center, downtown Petoskey.

Thursday, July 22, 2004
Little Shop of Horrors opens tonight (see photo)
Betony Furgeson and John LaBrie rehears for tonight's preview performance of Little Shop of Horrors.  The Little Traverse Civic Theatre play will be staged at 8 p.m. today through Saturday, July 22-24; 2 p.m. Sunday, July 25; and 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 29-31.  All performances will be held in the Ross Stoakes Theatre in the Crooked Tree Arts Center, downtown Petoskey.  For tickets, call 348-1850.

Thursday, May 6, 2004
Sunday improv (see photo)
Sally McCoy and Dean Tahtinen take the stage during a recent improv event in Petoskey.  The Little Traverse Civic Theatre will present an improv theater at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 9, at City Park Grill in Petoskey.  Mature audience is suggested.

Friday, April 30, 2004
'Shrew' set will serve two community organizations (see photo)
Two community organizations are working together to better both of their causes.
Members of the Little Traverse Civic Theatre and the Parks Team, one of the participating teams in the upcoming Relay for Life event, gathered recently with hammers in hand to create a scene from the old country.
This year's Relay for Life cancer fund-raiser has chosen "The World's Coming Together" as the theme of the 2004 event, and the Parks Team selected Italy as its theme country.  Members then faced the challenge of designing and building an "Italy" campsite for the weekend fund-raiser.
Meanwhile, Kristy Beyer, set finisher for the Little Traverse Civic Theatre's upcoming production "Taming of the Shrew", was facing a similar challenge.
Beyer and the Parks Team agreed to help each other, and spent a recent weekend building a set that they could both use.  The Italy set will be used on the stage for the "Taming of the Shrew" and will then be taken to Magnus Park for the Parks Team to use at the Relay for Life benefit.
"Taming of the Shrew" runs May 6-9 and May 13-15 at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey for ticket information, call 347-1850.
Relay for Life will be held May 22-23 at Magnus Park in Petoskey.  All of the funds raised go to the American Cancer Society for cancer research and patient programs.

Friday, April 23, 2004
Play rehearsals under way (see photo)
Kendal Taylor, Gary Albert and Rebecca Sand-Dugas rehearse their lines for the upcoming Little Traverse Civic Theatre production of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew".  The play opens Thursday, May 6, in the Ross Stoakes Theater in the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey.  Production dates are May 6-9 and May 13-15. For tickets, call 348-1850.  The show is sponsored in part by the Gaslight Gallery, The Bank of Northern Michigan, and Great Lakes Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery.

Tuesday, April 6, 2004
Evening at the improv (see photo)
Scott Madden and Heather McCuen, members of the Little Traverse Civic Theatre's improv troupe, perform at the group's premiere performance of the "Second Sunday" series.  The improv troupe will return to the City Park Grill at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 11.  Cost is $5.  As the content may be for mature audiences, those under 18 are not advised to attend.

Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Evening at the improv (see photo)
Little Traverse Civic Theatre improv troupe Jerry Christin,  Sally McCoy, Rebecca Sand-Dugas, Scott Madden, Dean Tahtinen, Heather McCuen and Betsy Willis prepare for their premiere performance this weekend.  The improv troupe's "Second Sunday" shows begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at City Park Grill in Petoskey.  Those under 18 are not advised, as some of the content may be for mature audiences.

Wednesday, February 25, 2004
'Taming of the Shrew' auditions set March 2-3
The Little Traverse Civic Theatre will be holding auditions for its upcoming production, William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew". 
Auditions will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 2-3, at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey.  Anyone interested in reading the show can check out scripts at the Crooked Tree Arts Center 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The director for this production is Betsy Willis, and she is looking for 20 men and 3  women to fill the roles.  Willis points out that women could play some of the male roles, and that many of the parts in the show are perfect for people who have never been on stage before, but have always wanted to give it a try.
This production of "The Taming of the Shrew" is called 'Shakespeare in blue jeans' by Willis, as she is setting the show on the current day university campus in Padua, Italy.  She hopes to make this a fun experience for the actors and the audience alike.  
Auditionees will be asked to complete a form describing themselves and their previous theatre experience, as well as listing time conflicts they might have with evening rehearsals, which will begin March 8.
The actual production dates are May 6-9 and May 13-15.
Anyone with questions can call Ms Willis at 347-3399 afternoons or evenings.

Friday, February 6, 2004
'Tenor' director returns to Michigan roots
At age 15, Little Traverse Civic Theatre's newest director, Gary Albert, made his stage debut with the group.
He appeared as a chorus member in the musical, "Sweet Charity" and then went on to star as the Artful Dodger in the group's production of "Oliver" before he headed off to Michigan State University to earn a bachelor of arts in theater and acting.
After a 20-year absence, Albert has returned to his roots and is now directing the Little Traverse Civic Theatre's current production, "Lend Me a Tenor".
During his time away, Albert performed in summer stock and then moved to Chicago to pursue a career in theater.  While there, he appeared  in and worked behind the scenes in many shows as a professional actor.  Like most actors in Chicago, he found it impossible to earn enough to support himself.  To make ends meet, Albert used his aptitude for computers to work in word processing.
According to Albert, it was the members of the Little Traverse Civic Theatre he worked with in the 1970s and early 1980s that provided him with an affirmation of his talent.  When Albert began to lose his passion for his craft, he decided it was time to go back to where he started.
"This has been the first time that I have not only overseen the creative aspects of a show, but had the ability to create it as well". Albert said, "What an incredible learning experience.  It is nothing but rewarding although also incredibly exhausting".
While this, as all jobs with the civic theatre group, is a non-paying position, Albert is happy to give his time.  He says it is his turn to hopefully encourage the next generation of future actors and those wanting to be behind the scenes.
Albert says he wants to give back to the area that encouraged him to follow his passion.
"Lend Me a Tenor" will be performed Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 19-21, at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey.

Friday, January 30, 2003 (see photo)
Play rehearsals include voice lessons
It is often said that life imitates art and that is true in Little Traverse Civic Theatre's upcoming production of Ken Ludwig's "Lend Me a Tenor".
In this fast paced comedy, "il Stupendo", a world renowned operatic tenor, accidentally takes too many tranquilizers and sleeps through an important performance.  He is replaced by, Max, a complete amateur who must try to imitate the great master, and fool the audience.
In this local production, "il Stupendo" is played by Eric Grandstaff.  Grandstaff is a locally well known tenor with years of vocal training.  As a youth, he was a boy soprano who often sang publicly.  Later he sang in a high school choir that traveled internationally and then he furthered his studies at Hartt School of Music at Hartford University in Connecticut.  Grandstaff decided not to pursue a career as a professional vocalist because, as a perfectionist, he knew he would have to totally commit his life to singing and he had other interests he wanted to pursue.  He performs locally as a soloist when he is not pursuing his career as the director of Library and Academic Technologies at North Central Michigan College.
The part of Max is played by Charlie Brecheisen, who had never even a minute of vocal training until he was cast in the part.  His previous singing experiences have been at karaoke nights.  Now, he and Grandstaff are working with vocal instructor Jim Owen to hone their skills.
Brecheisen says, "This has been a lot of firsts for me: reading music, finding my vocal range, learning Italian and sounding like an opera star".
When he is not acting or practicing his singe, Brecheisen works at Fletch's as the assistant parts manager.
"Lend Me a Tenor" will be performed Feb. 12-15 and 19-21 at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey.  Evening performances are at 8 p.m. and the Sunday, Feb. 15, matinee is at 2 p.m.  

Friday, January 23, 2004
Newcomers star in 'Lend Me A Tenor' (see photo)
Heather McCuen and Mike Deschermeier are new to Little Traverse Civic Theatre but certainly not new to acting.
Deschermeier is currently a senior at Petoskey High School where he has been active in forensics and appeared in two stage productions.  Most recently, he played Frank in the school's production of "Cheaper by the Dozen".
McCuen moved to the area from Manhattan, N.Y., where she was active onstage and backstage.  At the age of 17, she started her first theater company in Montreal, Canada.  She went on to earn her bachelor of fine arts in theater and music from the New School University in New York.  McCuen sought and achieved further accreditation in New York and at the British American Drama Academy in association with Oxford in England.  Currently, in addition to serving as the assistant director of food and beverage at the Inn at Bay Harbor and playing Diana in "Lend Me a Tenor", McCuen is serving as the coach and director for Little Traverse Civic Theatre's new improv troupe.
Deschermeier and McCuen join six other cast members in the hilarious comedy "Lend Me a Tenor" directed by Gary Albert.  The show will be performed Feb. 12-15 and 19-21 at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey.  Evening performances are at 8 p.m. and the Sunday, Feb. 15, matinee is at 2 p.m.  Ticket prices and reserved seating are available by calling 348-1850 or by going to www.ltct.org. 

Friday, January 16, 2004 (see photo)
'Lend Me A Tenor' cast named
Little Traverse Civic Theatre has cast its upcoming production of Ken Ludwig's farcical comedy, "Lend Me a Tenor".  
The plot of "Lend Me a Tenor" revolves around a world famous operatic tenor, played by Eric Grandstaff, who is hired to perform as "Otello" at the gala opening of the Cleveland Opera.  The opera company is counting on this performance to put it on the map, but the tenor accidentally consumes too many tranquilizers and is fast asleep when he is meant to be appearing onstage.  Someone (Charles Brecheisen) must step into the role without the audience suspecting the switch.  During the performance, the original tenor awakens and dresses in costume, so now there are two Otellos in the opera house.  This leads to hilarious consequences when the tenor's female fans come backstage after the performance hoping to spend some time with the tenor who is known to be quite a ladies' man.

Tuesday, November 4, 2003  (see photo)
Families get in the act in 'Shadowlands'  
Several generations of many families have been involved with the Little Traverse Civic Theatre during its 58 seasons of entertaining area audiences.  The current cast and crew of the November show, "Shadowlands," carries on this family tradition.
Lee Graham, a third generation Little Traverse Civic Theatre volunteer, has her two daughters, Rachel Planck and Abby Graham, working on the show, Frank Nemecek plays C.S. Lewis in "Shadowlands" and his son, Spencer, plays the part of Douglas.  Charles and Whitney Hershberger are new-comers to the Little Traverse Civic Theatre but not to theatre; Charles is in the cast and Whitney is helping at the box office.  Sabra Hayden is the director of "Shadowlands" and her son, Samuel, is in the cast.  Rita Arkison is the costumer for "Shadowlands" and her son, Nicholas, is in the cast.  Jan Joslin, second generation Little Traverse Civic Theatre volunteer, is the photographer for the show and the webmistress for the organization.  Joslin's daughter, Megan, is doing props for the show.  Margie Willson is the producer for "Shadowlands," husband, Michael, is a lighting person, and their son, John Bartha, is running the box office for this season.
"Shadowlands" runs Nov. 13-16 and 20-22 in the Ross Stoakes Theatre at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey.  All performances are at 8 p.m. except the Nov. 16th show which is a matinee starting at 2 p.m.
The show is sponsored in part by a grant from Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and three corporate sponsors, Grandpa Shorter's Gifts, Northern Michigan Hospital, and Stafford's Hospitality.  
For reservations, call 348-1850.

Friday, September 26, 2003
Civic theatre opens 58th season in November
Little Traverse Civic Theatre, resident theatre company at the Crooked Tree Arts Center, will begin its 58th season of performances with "Shadowlands" in November.
"Shadowlands" is being presented as part of the month-long C.S. Lewis Festival.  The play is the story of the relationship and marriage of C.S. Lewis and Joy Gresham.  Show dates are Nov. 13-16 and 21-23. 
The winter show, "Lend Me A Tenor," with show dates of Feb. 12-21, is a comedy which has received rave reviews from theatre-goers.  The final show of the season, "Taming of the Shrew," show dates May 6-15, is one of Shakespeare's most widely known and enjoyable plays.
All performances are held in the Ross Stoakes Theatre at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey.
Little Traverse Civic Theatre has many opportunities for involvement within the organization.  There are several membership categories, program advertiser possibilities, corporate sponsorships for individual shows, and, of course, hands-on with each production either onstage or backstage.
For additional information, call 348-1850 or log on to www.ltct.org.

Thursday, September 4, 2003
'Shadowlands' Little Traverse Civic Theatre schedules auditions for fall play
  As part of the month-long C.S. Lewis Festival in Petoskey this November, the Little Traverse Civic Theatre is presenting "Shadowlands," the story of the relationship and marriage of C.S. Lewis and Joy Grisham.
  Show dates for "Shadowlands" are Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 13-16, and Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 20-22.  The play is being sponsored by Stafford's Hospitality, Northern Michigan Hospital, and Grandpa Shorter's Gifts.
  Auditions for "Shadowlands" will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 9-10, at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey.
  The cast calls for seven men (late 30s and up in age), three women (30-50 years in age), and one boy (8-12 years in age).  Auditions are not limited to just those aspiring to be on stage; anyone interested in working on the show in any way is encouraged to attend.  Perusal scripts are available at the Arts Center.  Because there is such a call for men between the three shows of the season, the directors from the winter and spring shows will be at the auditions in September to do a little scouting and recruiting.
  Upcoming shows this season include "Lend Me a Tenor", Feb. 12-21, and "Taming of the Shrew," May 6-15.  
  All performances are held in the Ross Stoakes Theatre in the newly-renovated Crooked Tree Arts Center, corner of Mitchell and Division streets in downtown Petoskey.