Union Street Players

Cast for K.O.L.D. Radio Announced

Director, Ann Wilkinson, and Producer, Pat Moriarity, announced the cast and production crew for Union Street Players' production of K.O.L.D. Radio, Whitefish Bay on Wednesday.

Production dates: April 15-17 @ 7pm; April 18 @ 2pm

Tickets will be on sale starting March 15th at the Pella Community Center Community Services office (M-F from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or can be ordered over the phone (Visa, MC, Discover) by calling Tom or Wendy Vander Well at 641-620-9107. [Sorry, no tickets will be held without payment].

Cast Members:
Lars Knudsen: Tom Vander Well
Martha Bjorklund: Wendy Vander Well
Carl Norquist:  Paul Scott
Lena Norquist: Lisa Witzenburg
Ole Swenson: Pat Moriarity
Donna Decasola:  Susan Eggert
Sal Carducci:  Marty Feeney
Walter Gisselson:  Arvin Van Zante
Ruth Streeland: Jana DeZwarte
Sarah Knudsen: Megan Atkins
Sven Oxstrude:  Larry Daft
 
Production Crew
Director:  Ann Wilkinson 
Asst Director: Brystal Hopkins
Producer:  Pat Moriarity
Stage Manager:
Set Design: Mat Kelly
Set Construction: Mat Kelly, Jim Palmer, Mark Moreland, Pat Moriarity
Poster Design:  Mat Kelly
Light Design:  Jim Palmer, Arvin Van Zante, Mark Moreland
Light Board:  Jim Palmer
Sound Design:  Pat Moriarity, Bill White
Sound Board:  Anne McCullough Kelly
Costume Design:
Makeup Design:  Peggy Moriarity
Makeup:
Audition assistant:  Peggy Moriarity
Prop Design:
Program: Anne McCullough Kelly

One More Chance to Audition for K.O.L.D. Radio

There is one more opportunity to audition for Union Street Players production of K.O.L.D. Radio, Whitefish Bay by Phil Olson and directed by Ann Wilkinson. Tuesday night, March 9th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Pella Community Center (712 Union Street, immediately west of the Pella Public Library). Performance dates April 15-18;

This show is perfect for a warm laugh on a cold spring evening. The setting is Whitefish Bay, Minnesota, up near the Canadian border. Lars Knudsen is the host of a radio show called, "Crappie Talk," devoted entirely to ice fishing for Crappies. Lars has no listeners, so he loses his only advertiser, Ole’s Bait Mart and Deer Petting Farm. Martha Bjorklund, Lars’ love interest, hosts "Book Beat." She has all the listeners, and all the advertisers. Lars has issues with this. The issues multiply when a Brooklyn Italian comes to Whitefish Bay, buys the radio station, promotes Martha and fires Lars. Lars has his work cut out for himself. He needs his job, he needs his dignity, but most important, he needs Martha. Will you enjoy this show? Ya, youbetcha!

The Set is Up! Now We Need YOU!

Union Street Players are having auditions for their next production, KOLD Radio, Whitefish Bay in the Joan Kuyper-Farver Auditorium at the Pella Community Center.  Auditions will be Saturday, March 6, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and Tuesday, March 9 from 7-8:30 PM.  There are parts for 6 men, 4 women, and a teen girl. 
 
According to the producer, Pat Moriarity, KOLD Radio can be described as a “Minnesota romantic comedy with Spam, ice fishing, and more! It is a very funny show!”  Directing the show is Ann Wilkinson assisted by Brystal Hopkins.  The set was designed by Mat Kelly, Art Professor at Central College and built by Mat, Jim Palmer, Mark Moreland, and Pat Moriarity. 
 
Perusal copies of the script are available for checkout at the Pella Community Library.  Production dates are April 15, 16, and 17 at 7 PM with a Sunday matinee on April 18 at 2 PM.  For more information or if you’d like to help with costumes, set pieces, sound, lighting, stage crew or makeup, please contact Pat Moriarity at 628-1549.  The play was written by Phil Olson and produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing.  More information can be found at unionstreetplayers.com.  The Union Street Players are sponsored by the Pella Community Center. 

 

"Little House Christmas" Wraps Successful Run

 "Little House Christmas at Plum Creek" closed a successful run at Union Street Players' (USP) 2009 Holiday Show. Produced in conjunction with Pella annual Christmas in Pella weekend and Tour of Homes, USP's traditional Holiday offering was presented at a reduced ticket price of $5 for all seats. For several years, this has been our Christmas gift to the Pella community.

"Little House Christmas" delighted USP's patrons and fans of the Laura Ingalls Wilder series. USP presented a special matinée performance on Wednesday afternoon, December 2nd for local school children. Audiences filled the floor of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium in the Pella Community Center for the four show run. Attendance figures for the show are:

Wed, December 2: 140 students (plus teachers)
Thu, December 3: 159
Fri, December 4: 270
Sat, December 5: 220
Sun, December 6: 258

Congratulations to director Arvin Van Zante, producer Pat Moriarity and the cast/crew of "Little House" for a another successful USP production!

It's Showtime for USP's "Little House Christmas at Plum Creek"

photo by Anne McCullough Kelly 

Tickets are stille available for this weekend’s Union Street Players production of Little House Christmas at Plum Creek.  Based on LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE by Laura Ingalls Wilder and adapted for the stage by Lisa Cordes, the play will delight audiences of all ages. 

 

Performances are scheduled for December 3, 4, and 5 at 7 PM with a matinee on Sunday, December 6 at 2 PM at the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium at the Pella Community Center.  Tickets are now available at the Pella Community Center Community Services office, 712 Union during regular business hours - 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.  All main floor seats are reserved.  Tickets are only $5!  Tickets may also be purchased by credit card by calling 641-620-9107 (Tom and Wendy Vander Well) to order over the phone. Tickets also available at the door before each production. 

 

Come see the memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder brought to life on stage by the Union Street Players!  In the play, the Ingalls family is preparing for Christmas in the harsh Minnesota praire.  It is cold and lonely with few people around except for the Norwegian family nearby.  When Pa leaves for town and a blizzard bears down, the women must wait and pray that he is safe and will return in time for Christmas.  . 

 

Cast Members include: Laura Fank (Laura Ingalls Wilder – narrator). Elyse Parisee (Laura Ingalls), Camille Henry (Mary Ingalls), Tammy Bainbridge (Ma Ingalls), Jim Palmer (Pa Ingalls), Mark Moreland (Mr. Nelson), Beverly Graves (Mrs. Nelson), Frances DeArmond (Anna Nelson), and Tom Palmer (Johnny Johnson).  Directing the show is Arvin Van Zante with production assistance from Sara Peterson, Pat Van Zante, Pat & Peggy Moriarity, Mat & Anne McCullough Kelly, Don Graves, Nick Fank, Deb Linn, and Cyndi Atkins

 

The Union Street Players are sponsored by the Pella Community Center.  Produced by special arrangement with the Little House Heritage Trust.  Additional information can be found on unionstreetplayers.com or by calling Pat Moriarity 641-628-1549. 

Work Continues Saturday at Costume Shop! Help Needed!

This Saturday, November 21, we will once again be hanging grid in the main room upstairs.  Volunteers are needed to help scrape, plaster, paint, organize and clean.  There is always plenty to do. Please swing by and lend a hand, even if you can only spare an hour!

Special thanks to Matt Kelly, Carl Gray, Peggy Moriarity and Mark Moreland for their help in the shop build thus far.  Hope to see you all this Saturday from 9:00 till noon.

Get Ready for a K.O.L.D. Spring in 2010

K.O.L.D. Radio written by Phil Olson.  Directed by Ann Wilkinson.

Performance dates  April 15, 16, 17 – 7 PM and Sunday, April 18 – 2 PM matinee.   Advance tickets $8.00 Adults $6.00 Students (Add $2.00 at the door)

This show is perfect for a warm laugh on a cold spring evening. The setting is Whitefish Bay, Minnesota, up near the Canadian border. Lars Knudsen is the host of a radio show called, "Crappie Talk," devoted entirely to ice fishing for Crappies. Lars has no listeners, so he loses his only advertiser, Ole’s Bait Mart and Deer Petting Farm. Martha Bjorklund, Lars’ love interest, hosts "Book Beat." She has all the listeners, and all the advertisers. Lars has issues with this. The issues multiply when a Brooklyn Italian comes to Whitefish Bay, buys the radio station, promotes Martha and fires Lars. Lars has his work cut out for himself. He needs his job, he needs his dignity, but most important, he needs Martha. Will you enjoy this show? Ya, you betcha!  Produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Co.

 

Audition dates, Saturday March 6 – 9 AM and Tuesday, March 9 – 7 PM at the Pella Community Center Auditorium.  Perusal scripts now available at the Pella Library..

Cast of Characters

5 m, 4 w, 1 teen girl, 1 male voice over.

 

LARS KNUDSEN:  30s.  Host of a show called “Crappie Talk” on KOLD Radio.

 

MARTHA BJORKLUND:  30s.  Lars’ love interest.

 

CARL NORQUIST:  40s-50s.  Husband of Lena and co-owner of a bar called, “Carl & Lena’s Place for Beer.”

 

LENA NORQUIST:  40s-50s.  Wife of Carl and co-owner of “Carl & Lena’s Place for Beer.”

 

OLE SWENSON:  30s-40s.  Owner of Ole’s Bait Mart, Ole’s Deer Petting Farm and Ole’s Lutheran Hall of Fame.

 

SAL CARDUCCI:  40s-50s.  A Brooklyn Italian, successful in the grocery business. 

 

DONNA DECASOLA:  20s-40s.  An attractive Brooklyn Italian.  Ex-wife of Sal Carducci.

 

WALTER GISSELSON:  20s-50s.  Host of the local news on KOLD Radio. 

 

RUTH STREELAND:  40s-70s.  Jingle-Singer for KOLD Radio.

 

SARAH KNUDSEN:  10-15.  Lars’ daughter.

 

SVEN OXSTRUDE:  Voice-over only.  Double cast.  40s-60s.  Calls in to the radio station.

Tickets for "Little House Christmas" NOW ON SALE!

 

 

left to right – Laura Fank, Elyse Parisee, Tammy Bainbridge, Camille Henry, Jim Palmer, Beverly Graves, Frances DeArmond, Mark Moreland, and Tom Palmer

 

Come see the memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder brought to life on stage by the Union Street Players!  In the play, the Ingalls family is preparing for Christmas in the harsh Minnesota prairie.  It is cold and lonely with few people around except for the Norwegian family living nearby.  When Pa leaves for town and a blizzard bears down, the women must wait and pray that he is safe and will return in time for Christmas.  Based on LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE by Laura Ingalls Wilder and adapted for the stage by Lisa Cordes, the play will delight audiences of all ages. . 

 

Performances are scheduled for December 3, 4, and 5 at 7 PM with a matinee on Sunday, December 6 at 2 PM at the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium at the Pella Community Center.  Tickets are now available at the Pella Community Center Community Services office, 712 Union during regular business hours - 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.  All main floor seats are reserved.  Tickets are only $5!  Tickets may also be purchased by credit card by calling 641-620-9107 (Tom and Wendy Vander Well) to order over the phone. 

 

Cast Members include many USP veterans and newcomers such as: Laura Fank (Laura Ingalls Wilder – narrator). Elyse Parisee (Laura Ingalls), Camille Henry (Mary Ingalls), Tammy Bainbridge (Ma Ingalls) , Jim Palmer (Pa Ingalls), Mark Moreland (Mr. Nelson), Beverly Graves (Mrs. Nelson), Frances DeArmond (Anna Nelson), and Tom Palmer (Johnny Johnson).

 

Directing the show is Arvin Van Zante.  Assisting on the production so far is Cyndi Atkins, Sara Peterson, Deb Linn, Pat Van Zante, Peggy Moriarity, Mat Kelly, Nick Fank, and Pat Moriarity.

 

The Union Street Players are sponsored by the Pella Community Center.  Produced by special arrangement with the Little House Heritage Trust.  Additional information can be found on unionstreetplayers.com or by calling Pat Moriarity 641-628-1549.

"Little House Christmas at Plum Creek" Cast Announced

Union Street Players announces cast for "Little House Christmas at Plum Creek"


Cast members

Laura Fank -- Laura Ingalls Wilder (narrator)

Jim Palmer -- Pa Ingalls

Cyndi Atkins -- Ma Ingalls

Camille Henry -- Mary Ingalls

Elyse Parisee -- Laura Ingalls

Mark Moreland -- Mr. Nelson

Beverly Graves -- Mrs. Nelson

Frances DeArmond -- Anna Nelson

Tom Palmer -- Johnny Johnson


Production Team

Arvin Van Zante – Director

Pat Moriarity – Producer

Pat Van Zante – Costuming

Peggy Moriarity – Make-up

Mat Kelly – poster design

Deb Linn -- audition assistant

More production individuals to be named later!

57 people auditioned for the show.  Callbacks were needed to help select the final cast.  We thank everyone for trying out!

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Little House Christmas at Plum Creek

Based on LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE by Laura Ingalls Wilder


Adapted for the stage by Lisa Cordes

From 12/03/2009 - 12/06/2009

 Pella Communtiy Center Auditorium, 712 Union  7:00 p.m each night except for 2 p.m. Sunday matinee.
Come see the memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder brought to life on stage by the Union Street Players!  In the play, the Ingalls family is preparing for Christmas in the harsh Minnesota praire.   It is cold and lonely with few people around except for the Norwegian family nearby.  When Pa leaves for town and a blizzard bears down, the women must wait and pray that he is safe and will return in time for Christmas. .  For more information visit: unionstreetplayers.com.  Presented by arrangement with the copyright owner, the Little House Heritage Trust.

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2009 Awards Night Shines Spotlight on Three

Almost 50 people joined the fun at Monarch's on the Molengracht for the 2009 Union Street Players Awards Night. There was plenty of laughter and conversation both before the dinner and afterwards. After an enjoyable and leisurely dinner, the current USP President, Tom Vander Well, presided as master of ceremonies for the evening's program. A recap of 2008-2009 came complete with slide show of photos from USP's past three productions. City Councilman, Tony Bokhoven, brought words of appreciation and congratulations on behalf of the city. Then came the induction of members to USP's Walk of Fame.

Peggy Moriarity introduced Dottie McGee, who was inducted last year but was unable to attend because of her battle with cancer. Arvin Van Zante, who was inducted to the Walk of Fame last year, introduced Beverly Graves. Tom Vander Well then introduced Peggy Moriarity who joins her husband Pat as the first husband and wife members on the Walk of Fame.

A wonderful time was had by all. Please make plans to join us next year!