Okoboji Summer Theatre 53rd Season, June 14 - August 22, 2010

The OST is owned and operated by Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, www.stephens.edu. Each OST season features 13 excellent productions, including nine plays on the main stage, listed below, and four children's shows in the Boji Bantam Children's Theatre, a.k.a. the "Bantam" or the "CT."

The OST 53rd Season was officially announced to the public at the annual winter meeting of the Okoboji Summer Theatre Association (OSTA), a group of local volunteers who support the OST, on Saturday, January 30, part of the 30th Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games, January 29-31, 2010, www.uofowintergames.com.

A summary listing of the OST 53rd Season appeared about a week earlier in Vacation Okoboji, the "2010 Visitor's Guide to the Iowa Great Lakes Region, Iowa's #1 Vacation Destination." The official announcement, however, is the annual highlight of the OSTA Winter Meeting.

The announcement was made by Beth Leonard, OST Artistic Director. Beth and the rest of the OST senior staff are faculty and staff of Stephens College. Joining Beth from Columbia were Lamby Hedge, OST Associate Artistic Director, who will be celebrating her 25th year with OST this summer, and husband and wife Michael Burke, OST Director of Production, and Ruth Ann Burke, OST Director of Marketing and Development. Also joining the OST senior staff were Dr. Dianne M. Lynch, Stephens College President, and Shannon Blankenship Walls, Stephens College Associate Vice President of Development and Alumnae Relations.

Important 2010 dates for OSTA dues-paying members include...
Sat., Jan. 30, 2pm, Annual OSTA Winter Meeting & OST Season Announcement
Tues., May 25, Annual OSTA Spring Social (5), Dinner (5:30) & Meeting (6pm)
Sat., Aug. 7, 9pm, Grand Finale Party for OST staff & students hosted by OSTA
TBA: Aug. 17-20, 6pm, Annual OSTA Summer Meeting

Important 2010 dates of the OST 53rd Season include...
Mon., June 14, 10am, Opening of OST Box Office
Tues., June 22, 8pm, Opening mainstage performance followed by opening night party
Tues., June 22 - Sun., Aug. 22, OST 53rd Season (9 productions)
Wed., June 30, 10:30am, Opening performance at Boji Bantam
Wed., June 30 - Sat., Aug. 14, Boji Bantam 48th Season (4 productions)

Here's the OST 53rd Season as it appears on the OST web site, www.okobojisummertheatre.org...

<< OKOBOJI SUMMER THEATRE - SEASON 2010

THE FANTASTICKS
Musical (PG13)
Book and lyrics by Tom Jones, Music by Harvey Schmidt
June 22-27

We open our 53rd season with the longest-running musical in the world. This beautiful fable of love features a beautiful score filled with songs like "Try to Remember". This is a time-proven audience pleaser and is certain to enchant every audience. Start your summer out right by sitting back and allowing this show to charm its way into your heart.

THE GIRLS OF THE GARDEN CLUB
Comedy - Family (children 10 and up)
By John Patrick
June 29-July 4

A hilarious play, by one of American theatre's leading writers of comedy. You will absolutely recognize one of these "girls" from your own world. Who doesn't know someone who loves to garden and is dedicated to her local club and all its members? In our play, the presidency of the garden club will go to whoever wins a first prize in the Flower Show. Come laugh when plants die, plants appear to speak, and long-suffering husbands also have their say. It should be such a fun night for everyone.

SEE HOW THEY RUN
Comedy (PG13)
By Philip King
July 6-11

The action is so quick and the rib-tickling plot is so wacky that audiences may be exhausted from laughter at the end. The characters gallop in and out of four doors of an English vicarage. One critic said of this play, "A positive riot, in all my fifty years in theatre, I've never heard such laughter." So, if you're not afraid of laughing until your sides hurt, come sit in the theatre and enjoy watching the actors run for their lives.

THE EFFECTS OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS
Drama (Adult)
By Paul Zindel
July 12-18

The dynamic play won the Pulitzer Prize, the Obie Award and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award as the Best American Play of the season. It is the powerful and moving story of a family that struggles to express the love they feel for each other. Don't let the word "drama" keep you from witnessing some of the more powerful performances of the entire OST summer. There is such beauty and even humor in this lovely journey. You will not forget this one for a long time.

COMPANY
Musical (PG13)
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by George Furth
July 20-25

This ground-breaking musical was just revived on Broadway and OST is proud to bring it back to the Iowa Great Lakes as well. It is a witty and sophisticated look at relationships and features a brilliant and energetic score by the great Stephen Sondheim. We will star several of our talented professionals including OST favorite Rob Doyen. This is contemporary American Musical Theatre at its very best.

UNNECESSARY FARCE
Comedy (PG13)
By Paul Slade Smith
July 27- Aug 1

Be the first on your block to see this brand new farce that is delighting audiences all over the country. It has all the elements of a crazy night at the theatre. Two Cops, Three Crooks, Eight doors and Go! It has more laughs per minute than any comedy to hit the stage for a long time. If your doctor has cleared you to laugh until your sides hurt, then bring your friends and buckle up!

THE CHALK GARDEN
Mystery (PG13)
By Enid Bagnold
Aug 3-8

There is something very strange about the woman Mrs. St Maugham has hired as a companion for her granddaughter. And indeed there is something in her past that is revealed with a famous judge who just happens to come to dinner. It's a very famous play that is filled with eccentric characters and plot twists. The words "tantalizing and fascinating" have always been used to describe Enid Bagnold's wonderful work. Come and see if you can figure out the mystery before Mrs. St Maugham does.

RABBIT HOLE
Drama (Adult)
By David Lindsay-Abaire
Aug 10-15

This may be the most dynamic play of our 53rd season. It is new and captivated Broadway audiences through the performances of Tyne Daly and Cynthia Nixon. Critics called this play, "thoroughly absorbing and profoundly affecting." David Lindsay-Abaire has crafted a beautiful and tender portrait of a family and how it can absorb hard times. Yes, it is a drama and yes, you should try it.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Musical (Family)
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman/Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton
Aug 17-22

Get your tickets now! We are closing our season with one of the most popular musicals ever. Be Our Guest, and join the OST Company for this wonderful family extravaganza. Every child deserves the gift of getting to clap with the music and delight in the costumes of a Disney classic. What a way to say goodbye for another year. When we say this is not one to miss, we mean it! >>

For more information and/or to get on the free OST mailing list and receive future season brochures via postal mail, contact the staff using the information provided on the OST web site.

Thank you for your time! I hope to see you at the OST during its 53rd Season, June 14 - August 22, 2010, another magical season of outstanding professional summer stock theatre!