Elborne returns to Heartland Festival for fifth season

With grace under pressure and a sense of humor, Vivienne Elborne faces two opening nights in the span of the week. This well-known director of many past shows at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Heartland Festival has returned for her fifth season - this time pulling off a double feature.

Elborne's production of "Wake Me When I'm Dead" opened on Friday, June 13, to a packed house and was followed closely by the musical comedy, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" on June 20.

"I'm thrilled that audiences have responded so well to 'Wake Me,' and I know they will enjoy 'I Love You' just as well. It's a very grown up comedy, very funny and ideally suited to our theater here," she said referring to the Center for the Arts on the UWP campus. "I've wanted to direct this for years, and I'm excited to finally be able to do so and share it with our Heartland Festival audiences," she said.

"I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," is a celebration of the mating game, which takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as "the relationship." Are relationships easier or more difficult to maintain these days? How do men and women work things out and once they have passed the marriage milestone, how do they keep it all going? According to Elborne, audiences may not get a definitive answer, but she promises that everyone will see a little of themselves in the show.

"It's a very clever comedy, and I've been so fortunate to work with these six wonderful actors. As soon as I saw them work together, I knew they would be 'perfect' " she said. The cast features Paul Helm of Wind Lake; Kelsey Klug of Platteville; Marcy Russell of Platteville; Abbey Schultz of Dubuque, Iowa; Aaron Sitrick of Beloit; and Jason Slattery of Cleveland, Ohio.

Elborne began her theatrical career in London where she enjoyed a successful performing career as a member of British Actors Equity, appearing at the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and Westminster Abbey, as well as many other venues in the United Kingdom. She worked frequently on BBC Radio and performed with many renowned orchestras as well.

She continued her musical and theatrical career in the United States and became the artistic director of the San Pedro Playhouse, a position she held for 12 years, as well as resident stage concert musicals and Christmas shows. She has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., performing and directing, and has directed dozens of plays and musicals. Her credits include "Evita," "Phantom," "Sweeney Todd," "Guys and Dolls," "Fiddler on the Roof," "The Odd Couple," "The Lion in Winter," "The Merchant of Venice" and "School for Scandal," as well as many others.

Still, despite her extensive travels, she said she loves returning to Platteville every summer.

"Platteville is obviously smaller than a lot of other places I've worked, but the talent here is excellent, the working conditions are excellent, and I've grown to feel very at home here. John [Hassig] and I work very well together and I have made some dear friends over the years, such as Phil and Barb Karrmann, so I have grown to look forward to returning to your campus and these audiences year after year," she said. Hassig is director of UWP Performing and Visual Arts, Programs and Facilities.

Anyone interested in learning more about Heartland Festival shows may call the University Box Office at (608) 342-1298 or visit the Heartland website at www.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland. The University Box Office is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on the ground floor of the newly renovated Ullsvik Hall at the intersection of Hickory and Main streets. The CFA Box Office location opens one and a half hours before scheduled performances. Tickets are also available online 24/7 at http://tickets.uwplatt.edu.

Musical parable of 'Joseph' comes to Heartland Festival

The fourth show to open during the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's 2008 Heartland Festival is "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." The production will open July 11 in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall in the Center for the Arts.

The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams, and his father's favorite son. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged.

"Joseph is about two things: dreaming and storytelling," explained the show's director, Paul Helm, who is returning to the Heartland Festival for his fourth season. "Joseph is a dreamer, both revered and hated for his interpretation of dreams. Such is the case today as dreamers are often outcasts. They see things, they understand things, but many times the world is not ready to hear what a dreamer has to say."

This popular show, which ran for 749 performances on Broadway, is sure to be a hit with Heartland Festival audiences, according to John Hassig, director of Performing and Visual Arts, Programs and Facilities at UWP. He explained that this musical extravaganza features an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble gum rock and rock n' roll.

"This tale is both timely and timeless," said Hassig.

The cast features Heartland Festival newcomer Aaron Sitrick in the role of Joseph, as well as other new faces and many familiar ones. More than 70 people in the cast, ensemble and children's choir will share the stage at the state-of-the- art concert hall.

Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held on July 11, 17, 20, 22, 24 and 31. Matinees, beginning at 2 p.m., will be held on July 12, 19 and 27; and Aug. 3.

Ticket prices are $17 for adults or $9 for children under 18 and UWP students with I.D. All opening night performances include a post-show reception sponsored by Platteville Dairy Queen.

Anyone interested in learning more about this or other Heartland Festival shows may call the University Box Office at (608) 342-1298 or visit the Heartland website at http://www.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland. The University Box Office is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on the ground floor of the newly renovated Ullsvik Hall at the intersection of Hickory and Main streets. The CFA Box Office location opens one and a half hours before scheduled performances. Tickets are also available online 24/7 at http://tickets.uwplatt.edu

Heartland Festival goes back to nature

Photo: Jeremy Portje

'Frog and Toad' a kid-friendly tale
By SANDYE VOIGHT TH staff writer Published in the Telegraph Herald
Posted with permission.

It's all animals all the time in the next production of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Heartland Festival.

"A Year with Frog and Toad" is the story of two friends -- a cheerful frog and a grumpy toad.

Their larger circle of friends includes birds, squirrels, moles, a mouse, a turtle, a lizard and a snail.

Jay Cullen, of Dublin, Ohio, will play Frog to Ryan Bartscher's Toad. Bartscher is from Byron, Ill.

The other actors -- Kelsey Klug and Terry Dillon, of Platteville; Abby Schultz, of Dubuque; Paul Helm, of Wind Lake, Wis. -- will have multiple roles.

The story is an adaptation of the award-winning 1970s children's book series by Arnold Lobel.

Director Ann Farrelly, assistant professor of theater at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, remembers reading them as a child.

"They go through a whole season," she said. "They go swimming, bake cookies, rake the leaves and go sledding. The costumes will be colors and shapes that suggest animals. The moles will have balloon pants, gloves and Coke-bottle glasses."

Farrelly said the play is a simple story that's geared to a young audience but is appropriate for any age.

"It's very kid-friendly. The actors are very close to the audience, but it's not interactive. We won't be pulling anybody out of the audience. It's really sweet and fun and very heart-warming and the music has nice harmonies."

News You Can Use
What: "A Year with Frog and Toad," comedy Who: Heartland Festival When: 7:30 p.m. performances Friday, June 27, Tuesday, July 15; Wednesday, July 23 and Tuesday, July 29; 2 p.m. matinees Saturday, June 28; Saturday, July 5; Sunday, July 13; Sunday, July 20; and Saturday, Aug. 2. A morning show, 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26 Where: Center for the Arts, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Cost: $17 adults, $9 children younger than 18

Actors seek missing cast member of 'Wake Me When I'm Dead'

PLATTEVILLE - The ensemble cast of "Wake Me When I'm Dead," now playing at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Heartland Festival, won't complain about the hours or hectic schedule of preparing, rehearsing and performing a jam-packed repertory line-up this summer. In fact, they thrive on it. However, they do complain a bit about the missing cast member.

It turns out that this interactive Irish comedy murder mystery relies heavily on audience participation.

"When we rehearse without an audience, it's as though we're missing a cast member," said Jay Cullen, who plays Father Patrick O'Rourke and is making his Heartland Festival debut this year. Cullen leads the only musical number in the show, instructing the audience on how to handle their "shillelagh."

Marcy Russell, who is returning to Heartland for her sixth season, is also enjoying her interactive role. "So much of the interaction with the audience is spontaneous and what we do and say will depend on the individual we're interacting with. Each audience brings new life and it's so much more satisfying now that we've gotten past rehearsals and get to perform," she said. Russell performs the part of Bridget O'Donohue.

"When we actually got a few people in a few days before we opened, it really helped the script to come together," explained Ryan Bartscher,also joining the festival for the first time this summer.Bartscher plays Sean O'Brien, the brother of the man being mourned.

So, what is it like to perform in an interactive show?

"I love it! I chose this show over another one especially to get the opportunity to do interactive theater," said Brigid Kelley, performing in her first Heartland Festival show this year. Kelley plays the flirtatious Mary Margaret O'Malley.

For Michael Rangel, who plays the mysterious cousin Frankie, interactive theater is also new.

"In fact, I've always been in musicals prior to this, so this is my first experience with straight acting. It's been a lot of fun. You really have to stay on your toes to keep up with the audience," Rangel said.

The story revolves around the wake of the murdered Seamus O'Brien, performed by frequent Heartland Festival actor, Bill Haskins.

"I'm enjoying the role, though I've had livelier parts in the past," Haskins
said.

O'Brien had recently come into quite a bit of money, now missing, before his unexpected death. In attendance are a number of people who are ostensibly there to mourn and honor him, though they seem more intent on finding the missing money. In addition to this show, many of the actors and stage crew are also involved in the three other shows in the line up: "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," "A Year With Frog and Toad," and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," an extravaganza that will be staged in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall in the UWP Center for the Arts.

Jason Slattery, another newcomer to the Heartland Festival, said at first he was somewhat overwhelmed by the demands of appearing in three shows at once, but quickly became accustomed to the pace.

"Working with Vivienne Elborne has been a wonderful experience for me. The two shows she's directing ("Wake Me" and "I Love You") are so different and yet she's so good at both. It's been very rewarding to be part of this theater experience," Slattery said. He plays the part of Timothy O' Liveri in "Wake Me" and says he studied "Waking Ned Devine" to research his Irish brogue.

The remaining performances of "Wake Me,'" all starting at 7:30 p.m., are scheduled for June 29; July 6, 19 and 27; and Aug. 2.Ticket prices are $25 for adults or $17 for children under 18 and UWP students with I.D and include dinner.

Anyone interested in learning more about this or other Heartland Festival shows may call the University Box Office at (608) 342-1298 or visit the Heartland website at www.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland. The University Box Office is open Monday through Friday 9a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on the ground floor of the newly renovated Ullsvik Hall at the intersection of Hickory and Main streets. The CFA Box Office location opens one and a half hours before scheduled performances. Tickets are also available online 24/7 at http://tickets.uwplatt.edu.

No changes needed to 'I Love You, You're Perfect...Now Change'

PLATTEVILLE -The opening night performance of "I Love You, You're Perfect...Now Change" had audience members roaring with laughter within the first 30 seconds of the show. The heartwarming and hilarious musical was performed at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Center for the Arts and is part of UWP's 2008 Heartland Festival Series.

The musical is a series of short skits and catchy songs performed by six actors playing the roles of several different characters. The musical takes on the truths and myths behind "the relationship" by using humor and heart, portraying all too familiar situations in dating and marriage.

Russ and Joan Schnepper are Platteville natives and long-time fans of the Heartland Festival. When Joan caught her breath from laughing she said, "The actors have to play such a variety of characters and their excellent performance showed how much talent is in the cast. The show really flows, especially with the lively music. I highly recommend seeing this performance."

The cast included Paul Helm, Kelsey Klug, Marcy Russell, Abbey Schultz, Aaron Sitrick and Jason Slattery.

"This show has such a strong ensemble," UWP theater professor Ann Farrelly said. "They kept everyone laughing - I was extremely impressed with the overall performance."

Heartland Festival actors Jay Cullen and Ryan Bartcher, who star in the next show to open, "Frog and Toad,"attended "I Love You" to support their fellow Heartland performers. "This was precisely and expertly performed," Cullen said. "It's wonderfully hilarious and really makes you laugh out loud," Bartscher added. Remaining performances will be held June 28 and 29; July 5, 6, 12, 16, 18, 26, 30; and Aug. 1. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. except for the June 29 and July 16 performances, which start at 2 p.m. Preshow dinners will be served on July 12 and 18.

Ticket prices are $17 for adults and $9 for children under 18 and UWP students with I.D. Dinner theater prices are $25 for adults and $17 for children under 18 and UWP students with I.D.

Shows are held in the UWP Center for the Arts on the UWP campus. Tickets are available through the University Box Office located on the ground floor of Ullsvik Hall. Tickets are available by phone at (608) 342-1298 or at tickets.uwplatt.edu.

Anyone interested in learning more about this or other Heartland Festival shows may call the University Box Office at (608) 342-1298 or visit the Heartland website at http://www.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland. The University Box Office is open Monday through Friday 9am-5pm and is located on the ground floor of the newly renovated Ullsvik Hall at the intersection of Hickory and Main streets. The CFA Box Office location opens one and a half hours before scheduled performances. Tickets are also available online 24/7 at http://tickets.uwplatt.edu

Wake Me When I'm Dead Pictures

Special thanks to UWP Photography Office and Andrew McNeil!

Heartland Festival comes alive with ‘Wake me When I’m Dead’

PLATTEVILLE – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Heartland Festival premier of ‘Wake me When I’m Dead’ was welcomed with a packed house and rave reviews of this interactive comedy and dinner theater. On Friday, June 13 – appropriate for a piece which ends with musings on the nature of luck – both the dinner and the theater served up hilarious Irish fare.

In keeping with the interactive nature of the murder mystery, Dubuque resident Loras Watters, celebrating his 43rd wedding anniversary with wife Karen, served as the audience’s clue “scribe,” writing down the clues in the story as they were revealed for all to see. Watters and most of his party of six were first-time Heartland Festival goers, drawn to the story by their Irish ancestry and sense of fun.

“We love to get together and have fun, so this seemed like the perfect outing for us. We’re having a great time, interacting with the characters and figuring out the mystery,” said Karen.

The story revolves around the wake of Seamus O’Brien, who had recently come into quite a bit of money, now missing, before his unexpected death. In attendance are a number of people who are ostensibly there to mourn and honor O’Brien, though they seem more intent on finding the missing money.

Ardo and Kathy Junk, related to the Watters, were also in attendance and also celebrating awedding anniversary, their 38th.

“The acoustics are great and the room is more intimate, so we really feel like we’re part of the story,” said Kathy.

“I liked the way the actors visited with the audience beforehand to get the fun rolling,” said Ardo.

Michelle Watters, a 1992 master’s degree alumna of UWP, raved about the dining, particularly the first course, Irish soda bread.

“It was delicious, and so different for us,” she explained.

Others also raved about the dining fare, which was served as courses between acts and cued through the story line. In addition to the Irish soda bread, the meal featured carrot soup, salad, a chicken entrée and dessert.

“The carrot soup was delicious and so interesting – I wasn’t familiar with it before tonight,” said Frank Evans of Platteville.

Marcia Griskavich of Madison, attending with her sisters Laurie Palzkill of Mt. Horeb and Janelle Carroll of Lancaster, all first time Heartland Festival attendees, said that they were seeking ways to support the arts and find local entertainment.

“This has been a wonderful experience, trying to figure out the clues and interacting with the characters – and they’re feeding us! What more could you ask for?” said Griskavich.

Before the final act, and after a few plot twists are introduced, the audience is asked to weigh in on the verdict. Who had the most to gain by killing the owner of the mystery money? The dueling brides-to-be, Bridget O’Donohue and Mary Margaret O’Malley?The ever-munching brother, Sean?The mild-mannered, if hatchet-wielding Timothy O’Rielly? Or could it be the mysterious cousin Frankie O’Liveri, whom no one had ever met before the wake? No one will confess, especially to the Catholic priest, Father Patrick O’Rourke, who is the only one who knows where the money is hidden. Even the audience is suspect!

“It was a wonderful audience participation show and the actors did a tremendous job. It was easy to understand the actors, even through the Irish brogues, which they all performed very well. The food was unique and wonderfully prepared and served. It was a great night all around,” said Lisa Zabel of Fennimore, attending with a large group from Fennimore and Lancaster.

The cast features Bill Haskins of Platteville; Ryan Bartscher of Byron, Ill.; Jay Cullen from Dublin Ohio; Marcy Russell of Platteville; Brigid Kelley of Dubuque, Iowa; Michael Rangel of LaCrosse; and Jason Slattery of Cleveland, Ohio. The show is directed by Vivienne Elborne of San Antonio, Texas, who is returning to the Heartland Festival for her fifth season.

Remaining performances for “Wake Me When I’m Dead” will be held on June 22 and 29; July 6,19 and 27; and Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices, including dining, are $25 for adults and $17 for children and UWP students with I.D.

Anyone interested in learning more about this or other Heartland Festival shows may call the University Box Office at (608) 342-1298 or visit the Heartland website at http://www.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland. The University Box Office is open Monday through Friday 9am-5pm and is located on the ground floor of the newly renovated Ullsvik Hall at the intersection of Hickory and Main streets. The CFA Box Office location opens 1.5 hours before scheduled performances. Tickets are also available online 24/7 at http://tickets.uwplatt.edu.
# # #

Cool Article on Heartland In DBQ 365

UWP Heartland Festival

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages ... it's time, once more, for one of the largest theatrical festivals in the entire Tri-State area. Heck, it might actually be the largest. It's the University of Wisconsin - Platteville's annual summer arts festival, the Heartland Festival. Through its now eight years of existence, the Heartland Festival has become one of the largest combined arts efforts in the area.

The Heartland Festival comprises a series of theatrical stage production, all of which explore different topics and avenues, including comedies, mysteries, musicals and kids-oriented productions. The Festival draws performers and stagehands from all across the region. Last year's installment featured such beloved shows as Seussical the Musical and The Sound of Music, and it was a smashing success, selling a record number of tickets and uniting nearly 200 people as performers and workers.

The festival, which technically begins as soon as this issue of 365ink is in your paws, opens with Wake Me When I'm Dead, an Irish wake murder mystery which, like all the Heartland shows, will be performed throughout the duration of the Festival -- which begins on Friday, June 12, and continues all the way into early August ... which means you have no excuse to miss out on some of these shows.

Wake Me When I'm Dead revolves around the O'Malley family, which has gathered for the wake of the recently passed Uncle Sean. With the family in shock due to the elder statesman's untimely demise, the O'Malleys decide that they're going to send him off with true Irish panache ... until family members begin hearing rumors that there may have been some foul play, that Sean's will has mysteriously changed, and that the old boy was making strange claims about the end of the rainbow. What happens after that ... well, it's the Irish and it's a murder mystery, what can you possibly expect?

"This will be a truly unique and interactive dinner theater experience," notes Heartland Festival Executive Director John Hassig.

The production of Wake Me When I'm Dead has another unique wrinkle to it -- all shows include dinner, served during the performance. The menu will include Irish cream of carrot soup, mixed greens salads, chicken breasts, potatoes (naturally) and more. A cash bar, featuring Guinness beer, will also be available for all evening performances. Slainte!

The next show up on the Heartland 2008 card is the musical I Love You, You're Perfect ...Now Change. This "celebration of the mating game" deconstructs modern-day relationships, as Act I takes a look at dating, courtship and eventual love and marriage, while the second act delves into in-laws, newborns, family road trips and ... gasp ... aging. Heartland notes that this particular show is rated PG-13.

The Heartland Festival's third production is one that will definitely have some appeal to the younger crowd -- A Year with Frog & Toad, based on the beloved children's books by Arnold Lobel. The iconic figures of cheerful Frog and grumpy Toad will go through four fun-filled seasons of adventures together.

"If you loved Seussical, you will love Frog & Toad," says Hassig.

Also coming up during the Heartland Festival's season is one of the most popular musicals of all time: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The musical parable takes us through the years with Joseph, a boy who has prophetic dreams and also has the label of being his father's favorite son. After his jealous brothers sell him into Egyptian slavery, Joseph finds himself in the service of a strangely Elvis-inspired Pharaoh. Eventually, Joseph and his brothers are reunited and the twelve sons of Israel are together once more. The show blends a number of musical styles, from traditional country to '50s rock and calypso, and all points in-between.

The Heartland Festival will have one more show, though it will be a limited two-evening engagement. The Missoula Children's Theatre will be presenting a production of The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, loosely based upon the classic novel by Daniel Defoe. The show looks at Robinson's island several years after his boat shipwrecked, and he's turned it into a ... tourist destination? Yep. Seriously. The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe will be shown on Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26.

Whew! That's quite a rundown! Tickets for the 2008 Heartland Festival are on sale now, and they can be purchased online at the UW-P online box office, by visiting the UW-P box office located in Ullsvik Hall on the university campus, or by calling 608-342-1298. Group discounts are available.

Oh, you'd like to know the schedule? I guess we can do that for you, too.

Wake Me When I'm Dead - June 13, 14, 22, 29, July 6, 19, 27 and August 2.

I Love You, You're Perfect...Now Change - June 20, 21, 28, 29, July 5, 6, 12, 16, 18, 26, 30, and August 1.

A Year With Frog & Toad - June 27, 28, July 5, 13, 15, 20, 23, 26, 29, and August 2.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - July 11, 12, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 27, 31, and August 3.

The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe - July 25 & 26.

DBQ 365

Frog and Toad bring family fun to UWP Heartland Festival

PLATTEVILLE - Arnold Lobel's well-loved characters hop from the page to the stage in Robert and Willie Reale's musical "A Year With Frog and Toad," which will open at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Center for the Arts on June 27. This is the third offering in the 2008 Heartland Festival season.

The show remains true to the spirit of the original stories as it follows two great friends, the cheerful and popular frog and the rather grumpy toad through four fun-filled seasons. Anne Dillon Farrelly, professor of theater at UWP and director of the show, explained the allure of the story in her Director's Notes.

"This story is about friendship. It is the story of the fun and enjoyment that friendship brings to all of us. It does not matter that Frog is a frog and Toad is a toad. Their differences make their connection even more interesting because they can share with one another the beauty of what makes each of them special. Along the way, they are joined by other friends of all different types: birds, squirrels, moles, a mouse, a turtle, a lizard and a snail. Together, these characters play, work and help one another. The true moral of "Frog and Toad' is that friendship and love are life's true joys. Our differences should not stand in the way but rather, only enhance our relationships," Farrelly wrote.

John Hassig, Executive Director of the Heartland Festival director of Performing and Visual Arts, Programs and Facilities, said that this new show is destined to become a classic and is "inventive, exuberant and totally enchanting."

The cast features Kelsey Klug of Platteville; Abby Schultz from Dubuque, Iowa; Paul Helm of Wind Lake; Ryan Bartscher of Byron, Ill. and Jay Cullen from Dublin Ohio. Scenic Design is by Brad Carlson of Platteville and Costume Design is by Daniel’e Taylor of DeKalb, IL. Music Direction is by Paul Helm, Orchestra Direction is by Terry Dillon of Platteville and Sound Design is by Nathan Manwiller of Platteville.

The production opens on June 27 at 7:30 at the Center for the Arts. The opening night performance includes a post-show reception sponsored by Platteville Dairy Queen. Other evening performances, beginning at 7:30 p.m., will be held on July 15, 23 and 29. Matinees will be held on June 28; July 5, 13 and 20; and Aug. 2, beginning at 2 p.m. A morning show, beginning at 10 a.m. will be held on July 26. Ticket prices are $17 for adults or $9 for children under 18 and UWP students with I.D.

Anyone interested in learning more about this or other Heartland Festival shows may call the University Box Office at (608) 342-1298 or visit the Heartland website at http://www.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland. The University Box Office is open Monday through Friday 9am-5pm and is located on the ground floor of the newly renovated Ullsvik Hall at the intersection of Hickory and Main streets. The CFA Box Office location opens 1.5 hours before scheduled performances. Tickets are also available online 24/7 at http://tickets.uwplatt.edu.

Our Dearly Departed

Photo: Jeremy Portje

Heartland Festival starts season with an interactive comedy
By SANDYE VOIGHT TH staff writer
Published in the Telegraph Herald
Posted with permission.

Black garb is optional for attending the wake of the fictional Seamus O'Malley, but do bring your sense of humor.

This might put the "fun" in "funeral."

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Heartland Festival will kick off its summer season with an interactive comedy, "Wake Me When I'm Dead," directed by Vivienne Elborne.

The dinner-theater production will be in a banquet venue of the university's Center for the Arts. The actors will mingle with the audience.

Oh, and there'll be a real coffin front and center, donated by Melby-Bendorf Funeral Home in Platteville, Wis.

"It's a big thing to have to find," Elborne said, unlike other theatrical props that often can be unearthed at local thrift shops. Matt Melby, funeral home owner, said he agreed to donate the use of a wooden casket.

"These have been very popular all over the country," said Elborne, of the interactive show, a first for the festival. "'Nunsense' has a little bit of this, but this one truly puts the audience in the middle of the show."

The cast includes a priest, floozy, an old drunk, Cousin Frankie from Long Island and a few other characters.

At first, her cast members were concerned about the quality of their Irish accents, but the director assured them that the script refers to bad Irish accents.

"As long as it's vaguely Irish, they'll be OK."

The audience interaction will assure that no two performances will be the same.

Elborne is training the actors to encourage audience participation, while knowing when to go on with the thin plot.

"This is a show of very little literary merit, but a huge amount of fun," Elborne said. "The audience needs to be prepared to get into the thick of things and try to solve the murder. There's always a murder after the chicken is served, but a denouement after the dessert."

And, in keeping with the wake's Irish theme, Guinness will be the recommended beer of the evening.

News You Can Use
What: "Wake Me When I'm Dead," interactive comedy
Who: Heartland Festival
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 13; Saturday, June 14; Sunday, June 22; Sunday, June 29; Sunday, July 6; Saturday, July 19; Sunday, July 27; and Saturday, Aug. 2
Where: Center for the Arts, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Cost: $25 adults, $17 younger than 18 -- includes dinner

Rehearsal Audio

Want to check out a rehearsal? I just got a nifty new recorder that allows you to at least hear what is happening right now! I literally recorded this file less than an hour ago. You will see how absolutely amazing this season is going to be. Click HERE: to check out the song. This is a song from "Love Perfect, Now Change!" so there are a few adult words in it.

I'll be popping into rehearsals to record more for you to check out. All files will be posted HERE.

Thanks!

John

PSA Files Posted

Just for fun (or if you have a place to post them - like maybe your FaceBook profile?) I've posted our commercial/psa files for Radio. They are all posted here: http://www.uwplatt.edu/arts/heartland/festival2008/psa/index.html
Check em out - let me know what you think.

John