New Opening Nighter's Theatre Club

The Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST), www.okobojisummertheatre.org, 52nd Season began last week when the OST Box Office opened on Monday, June 8, 2009, and the opening performance is this evening, Tuesday, June 16, 8:00 p.m., followed by the annual opening night post-performance party. The OST 52nd season kicks-off with a production of the musical "A...My Name is Alice" by Joan Micklin and Julianne Boyd, directed by Lamby Hedge, OST Associate Artistic Director.

The annual opening of each OST season is a high point for fans and friends of live theatre in and near the Iowa Great Lakes, and I'd like to take this opportunity to launch a new group for those fans and friends: The Opening Nighter's Theatre Club.

I envision this new club as an informal weekly social and discussion group, kind of like a book club, but for theatergoers, and without anything to read or attend between meetings. The group will meet on Tuesday evenings during the remaining nine weeks of the OST 52nd Season, June 8 -- August 16, 2009. If participants so desire, the Opening Nighter's Theatre Club could continue indefinitely after the end of the OST season.

THE CHAMBER'S BUSINESS AFTER FIVE

Business After Five (BAF) is sponsored by the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (IGLACC), a.k.a. the Chamber, www.vacationokoboji.com. It's hosted by a different Chamber member business each Tuesday. It's a social gathering of Chamber members, employees and friends that provides networking and relationship-building opportunities.

The format is the same each week: Doors open at 5:00 p.m., at which time drinks and hors d'oeuvres are available. There's a brief presentation beginning around 6:00 p.m. which usually includes a welcome by the host business owners, announcements by Chamber staff, and drawings for door prizes.

BAF is open to the general public, and all are welcome, regardless of business affiliation or lack thereof. Admission is $2.00 for Chamber members and $5.00 for non-members, potential members and guests.

OPENING NIGHTER'S THEATRE CLUB SCHEDULE

The schedule is tentative and subject to change and, other than the start times for the Chamber's BAF (5:00 p.m.) and OST performances (8:00 p.m.), all times are approximates.

Tuesdays, June 16 -- August 11, 2009, (nine weeks)

5:00 -- 6:15 p.m., Meet at the Chamber's BAF -- locations provided in schedule below

6:00 p.m., Welcome, announcements and drawing for the Chamber's BAF

6:15 p.m., Relocate from the Chamber's BAF to café or coffee house -- establishment to be chosen by participants based on quantity and quality of food served at BAF

6:30 -- 7:30 p.m., Social time, discussion, drinks, and possibly light dinner at chosen café or coffee house

7:30 p.m., Relocate from chosen café or coffee house to OST

7:45 p.m., Pre-performance social time on OST Weaver Patio

8:00 p.m., Curtain time for opening performance of OST mainstage production

10:00 p.m., Following performance, relocate from OST to Arnolds Perk Coffee House, a.k.a. The Perk, 140 W. Broadway St., Olde Town Arnolds Park, (across from Central Emporium)

10:15 -- 11:00 p.m., Post-performance discussion and social time

CLARIFICATIONS & DISCLAIMERS

The Opening Nighter's Theatre Club is my own idea, and it's not affiliated with the OST, the Chamber, the Perk, or any other organizations or establishments.

All are welcome to participate in the Opening Nighter's Theatre Club regardless of theatre affiliations or lack thereof.

The Opening Nighter's Theatre Club has no formal structure, there are no membership dues, and there's no need to call ahead. Interested individuals can just show up at the Chamber's BAF.

Opening Nighter's Theatre Club discussions will be about live theatre in general. They may include but will not be limited to discussions of OST productions.

Opening Nighter's Theatre Club participants aren't required to attend Tuesday evening opening performances of OST mainstage productions or any other OST performances.

Participants can get involved in whatever extent they choose. They can participate in the entire evening, from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m., or for any part of the evening. They can participate weekly or only once.

Participants will choose a café or coffee house to visit following the Chamber's BAF. The quantity and quality of food served at BAF will help determine the choice of establishment. Participants are not required to order beverages or food at the chosen establishment.

2009 SCHEDULE FOR CHAMBER'S BAF & OST 52ND SEASON

Tuesday, June 16

Bridges Bay Resort Okoboji, 630 Linden Dr., Arnolds Park, www.bridgesbayresort.com

"A...My Name is Alice" (Musical) conceived by Joan Micklin and Julianne Boyd, June 16-21

Tuesday, June 23

The Gardens, Lakeside Level, Central Emporium, 144 Lakeshore Dr., Arnolds Park, www.gardensboji.com

"Almost, Maine" (Contemporary Comedy) by John Cariani, June 23-28

Tuesday, June 30

Java Joint Espresso Bar, 100 Sanborn Ave. (at US Hwy. 71), Okoboji

"Brighton Beach Memoirs" (Family) by Neil Simon, June 30 -- July 5

Tuesday, July 7

Higgins Museum of National Bank Notes, 1507 Sanborn Ave., Okoboji, www.thehigginsmuseum.org

"What I Did Last Summer" (Adult Contemporary) by A. R. Gurney, July 7-12

Tuesday, July 14

Little Swan Lake Winery, 1350 320th Ave., Estherville, (north of Superior), www.lslwinery.com

"Forever Plaid" (Musical) by Stuart Ross, July 14-19

Tuesday, July 21

Erpelding Voight & Co. LLP CPA & Northwest Bank (held at the bank), 1807 US Hwy. 71 N., Okoboji, www.bank-northwest.com

"Hay Fever" (Comedy) by Noel Coward, July 21-26

Tuesday, July 28

Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, 1405 US Hwy. 71, Okoboji, www.arrowwood-okoboji.com

"George Washington Slept Here" (Family Comedy) by Moss Hart & George S. Kaufman, July 28 -- August 2

Tuesday, August 4

Employment Connections, Inc. & Spirit Lake Mainsail Chamber of Commerce, 909 18th St., Spirit Lake, www.slmainsail.com

"Proof" (Adult Contemporary) by David Auburn, August 4-9

Tuesday, August 11

Keelson Harbour Assisted Living Community, 2810 Aurora Ave., Spirit Lake, www.wtohdevelopment.com/KeelsonHarbour.h...

"Into the Woods" (Musical), Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine, August 11-16

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST)

Location: 2001 Hwy. 71 N., Okoboji, Iowa

Mail: PO Box 341, Spirit Lake, IA 51360-0341

Phone: Box Office, 712-332-7773

Phone: Business Office, 712-332-2875

Phone: PR & Production Office, 712-332-7876

Email: okobojisummertheatre@gmail.com

Web: www.okobojisummertheatre.org

Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (IGLACC)

Location: Okoboji Spirit Center, 243 W. Broadway St., Arnolds Park, Iowa

Mail: PO Box 9, Arnolds Park, IA 51331-0009

Phone: 712-332-2107

Toll-free: 800-839-9987

Email: inquire@okobojichamber.com

Web: www.vacationokoboji.com