Union Street Players

Drama Camp 2010 Registration

Union Street Players, Pella's award-winning community theater, announces its 2010 summer Drama Camp for students grades in 2 through 8. Drama Camp will be held August 2-6, 2010 in the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium at the Pella Community Center. 

Students who've completed grades k-4 will have their session each day from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Students who've completed grades 5-8 will have their session from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Union Street Players' Drama Camp will once again be led by Brystal Hopkins (Grades k-4) and Suzi Jones (Grades 5-8). Use the link below to download the registration form. The form can be submitted on-line or can be printed and mailed following the instructions on the form.

For more information, please contact the appropriate leader directly:

Session 1 (Children who've completed Grade K-4)
Brystal Hopkins 641.620.9158

Session 2 (Youth who've completed Grades 5-8)
Suzi Jones 641.628.1522

Download USPDC_Registration_2010_final

Othello at Pella's West Market Park

PELLA SHAKESPEARE COMPANY PRESENTS
the Theatre ..for a Change production of
 
OTHELLO
Sat. June 26
7 pm
West Market Park
FREE
PELLA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 2010
Just because the board of Pella Shakespeare Company decided the PSC troupes needed to take a performance hiatus this summer, doesn’t mean you will miss the opportunity to see some great FREE theatre in the park. Pella Shakespeare Company wouldn’t do that to you.
 
On Saturday June 26 at 7 pm in West Market Park, you can catch an 80 minute version of “Othello” performed by Theatre for a Change.  Poignant, intense, heartbreaking; the play mercilessly explores every inch of the human condition. Directed by PSC alum Susan Gulbranson, “Othello” features Pella native Joe Cerwinski (another alum of PSC) and Central College student Christopher Williams..
 
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and bug spray and join us for an evening of FREE theatre in the park sponsored by the Pella Shakespeare Festival. We would like to remind you that eating during the performance is encouraged and proclaimed to be a sign of good breeding. In the event of inclement weather, the performance will move to the Kruidenier Theatre Building at Central College. Sponsored by the Pella Shakespeare Company and the Central College theatre department, this is the third summer the Des Moines based theatre company TFAC has performed in Pella.
 
The Pella Shakespeare Company will be back next summer. For updates on our plans, please go to our web site www.pmscasting.com/festival.html. And in the meantime we would love to hear from you. Send us your suggestions, ideas and requests by email pellashakespeare@aol.com or snailmail PSC, 1105 Hazel St. Pella, IA 50219.

USP Taking Nominations for 2010 Walk of Fame

After 20 years as Pella's community theatre, Union Street Players instituted a Walk of Fame in 2008 to honor those who have been instrumental in USP's on-going success. Five members have been inducted into the Walk of Fame: Dottie McGee ('08), Pat Moriarity ('08), Arvin Van Zante ('08), Bev Graves ('09), and Peggy Moriarity ('09).

The USP Board of Directors is now taking nominations for consideration as honoree(s) in 2010. USP's Annual Dinner and Walk of Fame presentation is scheduled for August 28th. To be nominated, a person should have been a contributing member of USP for ten years, have been active in multiple roles within the organization or various productions, and have helped further USP's on-going mission.

Please fill out and email or mail the nomination form below.

NOTE: Some individuals have had problems submitting nominations using the "submit by email" button. If you have problems, or if you submitted a form and suspect it may not have gone through, please simply type the information requested on the form in an email and send it to info@unionstreetplayers.com.

Download WalkofFameNominate_2010

USP's "Charlotte's Web" Spins into Production

Union Street Players is into production of "Charlotte's Web." The show is being directed by Lisa Morgan with Deb Linn and Anne McCullough Kelly co-producing.

Director: Lisa K Morgan
Assistant Director: Jalissa Morgan
Co-Producers: Anne MCCullough Kelly and Deb Linn
Technical Managers: Arvin Van Zante and Cody Kooi

Our Cast is:
Fern Arable: Jessi Vos
John Arable: Doug De Wolf
Martha Arable: Amanda Gross
Avery Arable: Caleb Blom
Homer Zuckerman: Greg May
Edith Zuckerman: Lori Pearson
Lurvy: Calvin Van Donselaar
Young Wilbur: Zach Van Donselaar
Older Wilbur: Michael Still
Templeton: Lauren Ashworth
Charlotte: Maggie-Anne Landon
Goose: Connie Jagau
Gander: Jim Emmert
Sheep: Brenda Becker
Lamb: Mallory Wheeler
Chorus Member 1: Kelly Anderson
Chorus Member 2: Amber Attema
Chorus Member 3: Austin Davis
Reporter: Megan Malloy
Photographer: Ciera Kooyman
Spectator 1: Jalayna Morgan
Spectator 2: Abby Gross
Judges: Austin Rozendaal, Melissa Malloy, Sarah Davis
Fairgoer 1: Scott Malloy
Fairgoer 2: Mackenzie Becker
Fairgoer 3: Elyse Parisee
Voice/Announcer: Sydney Swanson
Uncle: Jacob Cowman
Spider 1 (Joy): Hannah Emmert
Spider 2 (Aranea): Mandolin Holmes
Spider 3 (Nellie): Jaden Joy Morgan
Crowd Members: Jessica Anderson, Brody Doren, Mai Yang
Baby Spiders: Camryn Norton, Megan Kooker, Emily Rozendaal, Alaina Rahn, Mariah Kooyman, Sarah Peterson, Cole Swanson, Tori Swanson, Jacey Davis, Hannah Blom, Brittny Van Donselaar, Ben Vos, Chloe Morgan, Grace Emmert

KOLD Radio Goes Off the Air, Leaves Audiences Laughing

Union Street Players' production of KOLD Radio, Whitefish Bay closed on April 18 to rave reviews from audience members. The comedy about a small town radio station in northern Minnesota was not familiar to audience members, but those who attended the show laughed heartily and gave glowing feedback to cast and crew.

Attendance for the show:

Thursday 60
Friday 168
Saturday 120
Sunday 73

A hearty congratulations to cast and crew. Many thanks to our patrons, vendors, advertisers and audience members for helping make the show so much fun to produce! As KOLD Radio goes off the air, we leave you with a few photos from the show.

photos by Madison Vander Well  
  
pf   

Friday Night Crowd Turns Up "KOLD Radio"

The seats of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium were almost full last night for the 2nd night ofUnion Street Players production of "KOLD Radio, Whitefish Bay." The lively Friday night crowd, estimated between 170-180, filled the auditorium with laughter. Several times during the performance the cast had to hold for extended periods of laughter that rolled through audience. Sugar may have been contributed to the audience's energetic guffaws in the second act. Central College's Campus Ministries is providing homemade sweets and coffee in room 200 of the Pella Community Center during intermission. The group is raising money for their mission to Haiti this summer.

"Early in the second act I thought to myself 'I just can't laugh anymore,'" one audience member reported to cast members. "I was worn out from laughing so much."

If you're looking for a good laugh, there are two opportunities left to see the show. Seats are still available and tickets may be purchased at the door ($10.00) Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The Pella Community Center is located at 712 Union Street in Pella, just two blocks south of the square next to the Pella Public Library.

The Word is Out About "KOLD Radio"

Last night was opening night for Union Street Players' production of KOLD Radio, Whitefish Bay, and laughter was ringing out from the Joan Kuyper Farver auditorium in the Pella Community Center. The opening night crowd raved about the hilarious romantic comedy, which runs through Sunday.

There are three more performances, but the word is out and tickets are selling fast!

Now that the show has opened, you can no longer purchase tickets over the phone. To get your reserved seats, you can:

• Stop by the Community Services office in the Pella Community Center today between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Click here for directions.
• Buy a ticket at the door. Tickets go on sale 30-45 minutes before the show.

Remaining performances are Friday & Saturday night at 7:00 pm and Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

You don't want to miss this show!

Top Ten Reasons You Should See "KOLD Radio"

From the home office at Carl & Lena's Place for Beer in Whitefish Bay, Minnesota:

Lars Knudsen's

TOP TEN REASONS YOU SHOULD SEE "KOLD RADIO" NEXT WEEKEND

10.  Lena's bound to bring her famous Hot Dish.
9. Speaking of Hot Dish, did you see that new lady in town with the leopard-skin skirt?
8. Carl might just sing that Camp Wampum song again (though not on key).
7. Ruth will sing jingles to the tune of all your favorite Lutheran hymns (on key).
6. See the biggest sporting event since the Broomball Championship of 1984.
5. Those smut peddlers from Duluth get revealed for the hosebags they are
4. Johnson's Piggly Wiggly, where the savings will make you "giggly!"
3.    Sven Oxtrude learns what you can do with a SPAM sandwich!
2. Learn why the Silver Eagle Spinner (half-inch sport-fly) is the best lure for Crappie.
1. Free tickets to "Ole's Lutheran Hall of Fame!"

Tell all your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers!!

KOLD Radio, Whitefish Bay will be performed April 15-17 at 7:00 p.m. and April 18 at 2:00 p.m. on the stage of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium in the Pella Community Center. Tickets are $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance by visiting the Pella Community Services office in the Pella Community Center (712 Union Street) Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased over the phone using a credit card by calling Tom or Wendy at 641-620-9107.

KOLD Radio: Tune in for Laughter

Not a single audience member has walked through the doors of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium in the Pella Community Center, but you can still hear the laughter already ringing out. For the most part, it's been the cast of Union Street Player's production of KOLD Radio, Whitefish Bay trying to hold it together on stage as they rehearse, along with the production crew who are working hard to get the show ready for opening night, which is just a week away.

So what's funny about KOLD Radio?

Is it the idea of a radio station named "K.O.L.D." in northern Minnesota operating out of "Carl & Lena's Place for Beer?"

Is it Martha Bjorklund's (Wendy Vander Well) popular radio show "Book Beat" where she reviews books like "Pull My Finger" by Helga Freelander?

Is it Ruth (Jana DeZwarte), the ever-knitting jingle singer who is "a few fish short of a catch?"

Is it Sal Carducci (Marty Feeney), the Brooklyn Italian who mysteriously arrives in Whitefish Bay, buys the radio Station and makes Lars Knudsen (Tom Vander Well) "an offer he can't refuse?"
 

Is it the equally mysterious and seductive Donna DeCasola (Susan Eggert) who, led by her childhood summers at Camp Wampum, returns to Whitefish Bay to open "Donna's Hotel & Lounge" and catch the eyes of the men of Whitefish Bay like Carl (Paul Scott)?

Or perhaps it's the women (after all, this is Minnesota where "all the women are strong") like Lena (Lisa Witzenburg) who lovingly remind the boys just what's in store if you stray just a little ("now, give me a kiss")? 
 
It's all of these reasons AND MORE! Don't miss KOLD Radio, Whitefish Bay. April 15-17 @ 7pm and April 18 @ 2 pm in the Pella Community Center. To order tickets by phone, call Tom or Wendy at 641-620-9107. Tickets are $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door.

KOLD Radio Tickets On Sale!

Union Street Players kicks of the 2010 season with "KOLD Radio, Whitefish Bay." This is a hilarious romantic comedy set in the fictional town of Whitefish Bay, Minnesota all da way up nort by da Canadian border, eh? In Whitefish Bay you'll find Ole's Bait Mart, Ole's Deere Petting Farm, Ole's Lutheran Hall of Fame, Johnson's Piggly Wiggly, Bob's Garden Supply, and Carl & Lena's Place for Beer ("where people come from far and near!"). In the corner of Carl & Lena's Place for Beer you'll find the studio of K.O.L.D. Radio.

Lars Knudsen, local fishing guide, 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, has returned to Whitefish Bay after living in Duluth (a.k.a. the Devil's playground, where the men are real hosebags, dontcha know.) and is the host of "Book Beat." Martha has all the listeners and all the advertisers. Lars has issues with this. The issues multiply when Sal Carducci, 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.

The play will be performed April 15-17 at 7:00 p.m. and April 18 at 2:00 p.m. on the stage of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium in the Pella Community Center. Tickets are $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance by visiting the Pella Community Services office in the Pella Community Center (712 Union Street) Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased over the phone using a credit card by calling Tom or Wendy Vander Well at 641-620-9107.

Pictured Above: The cast of Union Street player’s production “KOLD Radio, Whitefish Bay.” Back row: Lisa Witzenburg, Larry Daft, Susan Eggert, Marty Feeney, Paul Scott, Jana DeZwarte, Arvin Van Zante, Pat Moriarity. Front row: Megan Atkins, Wendy Vander Well, Tom Vander Well

Photo by Anne McCullough Kelly