News

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Future Fungus News - December 2024

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"Forever Plaid" Opens Friday!

"Forever Plaid" by Stuart Ross opens this Friday, December 6. The cast have been working hard learning the incredible music this show is packed with. Make "Forever Plaid" part of your holiday plans!

Tickets are now on sale for all 6 performances!

Performances at the Dassel History Center

  • December 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7:00 PM

  • December 8 (Talkback with cast following) & 15 at 2:00 PM

CAST

Francis: Gannon Miller

 Jinx: Kenny Danberg

 Smudge: Michael Martin

 Sparky: Tom Nelson

Announcer: James Statz

CREW

Director: Randy Wilson

Music Director / Piano Player: Kay Wilson

Piano Player: Lynn Hoff

Drums: Marshall Carlsted

Bass: Travis Bruns

Chief Set Builder: Ron Hungerford

Sound Design: Jim Nelson

Light Design: Jackie Luhman

Once upon a time, there were four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who discovered that they shared a love for music and then got together to become their idols – The Four Freshman, The Hi-Lo's and The Crew Cuts. Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge's family's plumbing supply company, they became "Forever Plaid". On the way to their first big gig, the "Plaids" are broadsided by a school bus and killed instantly. It is at the moment when their careers and lives end that the story of Forever Plaid begins....

Forever Plaid is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

The cast works with Director Randy Wilson at a recent rehearsal. 

MACT*Fest 2025 to be held in Duluth

March 7 - 9

MACT*Fest 2025 will be held at The Depot Theatre in Duluth.
Performances will be March 7 & 8 and awards March 9.

Tickets are now on sale so make plans now to see excellent theatre from across the state, including Fungus’s production of “Finishing School”.

2024 - 2025 Season Announced!

Our full season for 2024 - 2025 has now been announced! Visit our current season page for information on all four shows that we will produce this season.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows!

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

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Future Fungus News - November 2024

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Tickets on sale for "Forever Plaid" now!

Tickets for "Forever Plaid" by Stuart Ross are now on sale. The cast have been working hard learning the incredible music this show is packed with. Make "Forever Plaid" part of your holiday plans this December.

Tickets are now on sale for all 6 performances!

Performances at the Dassel History Center

  • December 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7:00 PM

  • December 8 (Talkback with cast following) & 15 at 2:00 PM

CAST

Francis: Gannon Miller

 Jinx: Kenny Danberg

 Smudge: Michael Martin

 Sparky: Tom Nelson

Announcer: James Statz

CREW

Director: Randy Wilson

Music Director / Piano Player: Kay Wilson

Piano Player: Lynn Hoff

Drums: Marshall Carlsted

Bass: Travis Bruns

Chief Set Builder: Ron Hungerford

Sound Design: Jim Nelson

Light Design: Jackie Luhman

Once upon a time, there were four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who discovered that they shared a love for music and then got together to become their idols – The Four Freshman, The Hi-Lo's and The Crew Cuts. Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge's family's plumbing supply company, they became "Forever Plaid". On the way to their first big gig, the "Plaids" are broadsided by a school bus and killed instantly. It is at the moment when their careers and lives end that the story of Forever Plaid begins....

Forever Plaid is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Farewell to "The Explorers Club"!

Farewell to "The Explorers Club" and thank you to all of our amazing audiences that came and laughed from London all the way to Phahatlabong! This truly was a remarkable production and hearing our audiences laugh was especially satisfying. 

It’s Give to the MACT Time!

It's time for MACT's annual fundraising drive, "Give to the MACT".  The first $760 in donations will be matched by funds provided by current and former MACT Board Members.  This campaign ends Thursday, November 21st.  After that any unused matching dollars go away.
 
This year, MACT's Board has designated the funds raised by our Give to the MACT campaign to help offset some of the costs associated with bringing a show to MACT*Fest '25.
 
It costs theatres a considerable amount of money to participate in a festival.  There are the normal costs, like royalties, scripts, sets, costumes and props, associated with putting on a show.  But for festivals, there are additional costs like registrations fees, travel costs, hotels and meals.  Gifts from people like you, along with the matching dollars, will help cover some of the costs of presenting a show at MACT*Fest '25.
 
Remember, donations made between now and November 21st (up to the first $760) will be matched, so your gift will have double the impact for MACT*Fest presenting theatres.
 
Please consider making a donation to Give to the MACT now, before the matching dollars expire!

MACT*Fest 2025 to be held in Duluth

March 7 - 9

MACT*Fest 2025 will be held at The Depot Theatre in Duluth.
Performances will be March 7 & 8 and awards March 9.

More information to follow including registration info, but make plans now to see excellent theatre from across the state, including Fungus's production of "Finishing School".

Script Reading Scheduled for November 23

The FungusAmongus Board of Directors will be hosting a script reading on Saturday November 23, at 10:00 AM at the Dassel History Center. The public is invited to attend and participate. Help us decide on shows for future seasons!

2024 - 2025 Season Announced!

Our full season for 2024 - 2025 has now been announced! Visit our current season page for information on all four shows that we will produce this season.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows!

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

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Future Fungus News - October 2024

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"The Explorers Club" opens next week!

The "The Explorers Club" by Nell Benjamin opens next week at the Dassel History Center. The cast and crew are putting the finishing touches on this comedy that will leave you in stitches. Be sure to get your tickets early as this one is sure to sell out!

Tickets are now on sale for all 7 performances!

Performances at the Dassel History Center

  • October 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 at 7:00 PM

  • October 13 (Talkback with cast following) & 20 at 2:00 PM

London, 1879. The prestigious Explorers Club is in crisis: their acting president wants to admit a woman, and their bartender is terrible. True, this female candidate is brilliant, beautiful, and has discovered a legendary Lost City, but the decision to let in a woman could shake the very foundation of the British Empire, and how do you make such a decision without a decent drink? Grab your safety goggles for some very mad science involving deadly cobras, irate Irishmen and the occasional airship.

THE EXPLORERS CLUB is presented through special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service.

The cast of "The Explorers Club" work on some scenes during recent rehearsals. 

"Forever Plaid" auditions this month

Auditions are this month for our holiday show "Forever Plaid" by Stuart Ross, Directed by Randy Wilson

Auditions at the Dassel History Center

  • October 12 at 9:00 AM

  • October 14 at 6:30 PM

4 men are needed for the production, all singing roles. Please prepare a piece of music to showcase your vocal range and a piano accompaniment. 

Performances at the Dassel History Center

  • December 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7:00 PM

  • December 8 (Talkback with cast following) & 15 at 2:00 PM

Once upon a time, there were four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who discovered that they shared a love for music and then got together to become their idols – The Four Freshman, The Hi-Lo's and The Crew Cuts. Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge's family's plumbing supply company, they became "Forever Plaid". On the way to their first big gig, the "Plaids" are broadsided by a school bus and killed instantly. It is at the moment when their careers and lives end that the story of Forever Plaid begins....

FOREVER PLAID is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Script Reading Scheduled for October 26th

The FungusAmongus Board of Directors will be hosting a script reading on Saturday October 26, at 12:00 PM at the Dassel Covenant Church. The public is invited to attend and participate. Help us decide on shows for future seasons!

2024 - 2025 Season Announced!

Our full season for 2024 - 2025 has now been announced! Visit our current season page for information on all four shows that we will produce this season.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows!

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

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Future Fungus News - September 2024

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Cast List for "The Explorers Club" + Tickets on Sale Now!

The director would like to thank all who came out and auditioned for the show, this was a very competitive audition and not everyone was able to receive a part in the show. The cast list is as follows:

LUCIUS FRETWAY - Sean Snow

PHYLLIDA SPOTTEHUME - Maia Carnicom

HARRY PERCY - Rick Wyman

LUIGI - Tait Jerde

PROFESSOR COPE - Michael Martin

PROFESSOR SLOANE - Ron Hungerford

PROFESSOR WALLING - Brian Bauman

SIR BERNARD HUMPHRIES - Isaac Olson

BEEBE - Harry Lantto

Tickets are now on sale for all 7 performances!

Performances at the Dassel History Center

  • October 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 at 7:00 PM

  • October 13 (Talkback with cast following) & 20 at 2:00 PM

London, 1879. The prestigious Explorers Club is in crisis: their acting president wants to admit a woman, and their bartender is terrible. True, this female candidate is brilliant, beautiful, and has discovered a legendary Lost City, but the decision to let in a woman could shake the very foundation of the British Empire, and how do you make such a decision without a decent drink? Grab your safety goggles for some very mad science involving deadly cobras, irate Irishmen and the occasional airship.

2024 - 2025 Season Announced!

Our full season for 2024 - 2025 has now been announced!

This October we will present, “The Explorers Club” by Nell Benjamin:  London, 1879. The prestigious Explorers Club is in crisis: their acting president wants to admit a woman, and their bartender is terrible. True, this female candidate is brilliant, beautiful, and has discovered a legendary Lost City, but the decision to let in a woman could shake the very foundation of the British Empire, and how do you make such a decision without a decent drink? Grab your safety goggles for some very mad science involving deadly cobras, irate Irishmen and the occasional airship. Auditions will be held August 22 and 24 here at the history center with performances in Mid-October. Tom Nelson will direct. THE EXPLORERS CLUB is presented through special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service.

For our holiday show we will present, “Forever Plaid” by Stuart Ross. Once upon a time, there were four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who discovered that they shared a love for music and then got together to become their idols – The Four Freshman, The Hi-Lo's and The Crew Cuts. Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge's family's plumbing supply company, they became "Forever Plaid". On the way to their first big gig, the "Plaids" are broadsided by a school bus and killed instantly. It is at the moment when their careers and lives end that the story of Forever Plaid begins.... Performances will be in December. Randy Wilson will direct. FOREVER PLAID is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

For our winter production and our 2025 AACT Entry we will be reviving “Finishing School” by Elaine Liner. This comedy about life’s second act finds older gents Al and Wizzer meeting on a park bench every morning to read and mock newspaper obits. Their daily rituals—shooting the bull about sports, women loved and lost and the many annoyances of aging—are suddenly shaken up by the appearance of a friendly young woman and her flirty mom. Wizzer pep-talks lonely widower Al to convince him to break out of his self-imposed “quantum of solace” and maybe find love again, while also dealing with his own fear of ending up in the memory care unit at their assisted living facility. Punctuated with true-to-life moments familiar to anyone with an aging parent or spouse, the play takes an upbeat attitude toward life after 60, 70 and beyond. Performances will be in February. Linda Metcalf will direct. FINISHING SCHOOL is presented through special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois

For summer 2025 we will produce "Annie" at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center.
Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including "Tomorrow."
"Annie" will be presented by the FungusAmongus Players July 18 - 20 & 25 - 27 2025 at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center. Please stay tuned our website and social media channels for information regarding auditions.
ANNIE is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

FungusAmongus presented "Death Knocks" at Fast*Fest 2024

The FungusAmongus Players presented at Fast*Fest 2024 held in Cloquet MN on August 17. "Death Knocks" by Woody Allen was presented to many nice comments following the performance. Both David Metcalf and Ron Hungerford reprised their roles from when this one act was performed during our evening of short plays in March of 2023.

15 shows were presented in one day, which ranged from light hearted comedies, to serious dramas. County Seat Theatre in Cloquet were excellent hosts and MACT put on another great event! The next MACT event will be the bi-annual MACTFest which will be held in Duluth in March of 2025. 

David Metcalf and Ron Hungerford perform "Death Knocks" August 2024.

FungusAmongus Participate in Corn Carnival and Red Rooster Parades

Thanks to everyone that came out and walked with us and handed out bookmarks during the Cokato Corn Carnival and Red Rooster Days parades this year. It was great to see so many smiling faces and get our new season bookmark handed out! If you did not get a bookmark we will have extras (while they last) at all performances this season at the box office.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows!

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

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Future Fungus News - August 2024

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2024 - 2025 Season Announced!

During our opening night of "Much Ado About Nothing" we announced our 2024 - 2025 season:

This October we will present, “The Explorers Club” by Nell Benjamin:  London, 1879. The prestigious Explorers Club is in crisis: their acting president wants to admit a woman, and their bartender is terrible. True, this female candidate is brilliant, beautiful, and has discovered a legendary Lost City, but the decision to let in a woman could shake the very foundation of the British Empire, and how do you make such a decision without a decent drink? Grab your safety goggles for some very mad science involving deadly cobras, irate Irishmen and the occasional airship. Auditions will be held August 22 and 24 here at the history center with performances in Mid-October. Tom Nelson will direct. THE EXPLORERS CLUB is presented through special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service.

For our holiday show we will present, “Forever Plaid” by Stuart Ross. Once upon a time, there were four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who discovered that they shared a love for music and then got together to become their idols – The Four Freshman, The Hi-Lo's and The Crew Cuts. Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge's family's plumbing supply company, they became "Forever Plaid". On the way to their first big gig, the "Plaids" are broadsided by a school bus and killed instantly. It is at the moment when their careers and lives end that the story of Forever Plaid begins.... Performances will be in December. Randy Wilson will direct. FOREVER PLAID is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

For our winter production and our 2025 AACT Entry we will be reviving “Finishing School” by Elaine Liner. This comedy about life’s second act finds older gents Al and Wizzer meeting on a park bench every morning to read and mock newspaper obits. Their daily rituals—shooting the bull about sports, women loved and lost and the many annoyances of aging—are suddenly shaken up by the appearance of a friendly young woman and her flirty mom. Wizzer pep-talks lonely widower Al to convince him to break out of his self-imposed “quantum of solace” and maybe find love again, while also dealing with his own fear of ending up in the memory care unit at their assisted living facility. Punctuated with true-to-life moments familiar to anyone with an aging parent or spouse, the play takes an upbeat attitude toward life after 60, 70 and beyond. Performances will be in February. Linda Metcalf will direct. FINISHING SCHOOL is presented through special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois

For summer 2025 we will produce a musical at the DC Performing Arts Center. We are still waiting to announce this as rights are being secured but please keep a close eye on our social media pages and monthly newsletter for all information pertaining to what is sure to be another fun filled theatre summer! Performances will be in July 2025.

Inaugural Student Scholarships Awarded

Caroline Cronk and Mya Lynk receive their scholarships from Board member Kevin Wilson 

The FungusAmognus Board of Directors were happy to award two $500 student scholarships at the final performance of "Much Ado About Nothing". Caroline Cronk and Mya Lynk have both been active participants in past Fungus shows and showed great academic achievements. Congratulations Caroline and Mya!

Started during the 2023 - 2024 season the funds that are raised during our intermissions from freewill donations for treats go into a fund to support a Student Scholarship which may be awarded annually based on applicants. It is open to graduating seniors and or students already attending a post secondary education that have participated in FungusAmongus productions.  Applications for the 2025 scholarship will open on January 1, 2025 and be due in April of 2025.

Auditions for "The Explorers Club" this Month!

Auditions for The Explorers Club by Nell Benjamin will be held at the Dassel History Center at 6:30 PM Thursday, August 22 and 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 24

Auditions will be cold readings from the script. Please bring your schedules for known conflicts through the performance dates.

Performances at the Dassel History Center

  • October 11,12, 17, 18, 19 at 7:00 PM

  • October 13 & 20 at 2:00 PM

London, 1879. The prestigious Explorers Club is in crisis: their acting president wants to admit a woman, and their bartender is terrible. True, this female candidate is brilliant, beautiful, and has discovered a legendary Lost City, but the decision to let in a woman could shake the very foundation of the British Empire, and how do you make such a decision without a decent drink? Grab your safety goggles for some very mad science involving deadly cobras, irate Irishmen and the occasional airship.

Farewell to “Much Ado About Nothing”!

The curtain call at one of the performances. Photo by Stacey Neuhaus.

The curtain has closed on "Much Ado About Nothing" following 7 successful performances, four outdoors and three indoors! A special thank you to the cast and crew for all their hard work to bring Shakespeare to rural audiences, to the various venues that hosted the production, and to the audiences who attended and generously gave toward the freewill donation. 

FungusAmongus to Present at FastFest 2024

The FungusAmongus Players will be bringing a show to Fast*Fest 2024 held in Cloquet MN on August 17. "Death Knocks" by Woody Allen will be presented to "liven" things up. Both David Metcalf and Ron Hungerford will be reprising their roles from when this one act was performed during our evening of short plays in March of 2023. This along with 14 other shows from across MN will be presented. More information below regarding FastFest from our friends at the Minnesota Association of Community Theaters:

How does seeing 15 shows in one day sound to you? If that sounds exciting, you don’t want to miss Fast*Fest on August 16 & 17 in Cloquet.  Registration is now open for our biennial festival of 20-minute (max) plays.

Join us Friday evening, August 15, from 7 – 9 pm for a welcome open house at the Encore Performing Arts center. This is a chance for the presenting theatres to view the stage and facility and gather with other festival participants. Beverages (wine & sodas) will be available to purchase from the theatre.

Then come back at 9 am, Saturday morning, August 17, for the first performance session featuring shows from Penny Pinchin’ Productions, County Seat Theater Company, Ole Olson Onstage, Classics Lost ‘N’ Found Theatre Company and Thorn Productions.

At 1:30 pm, Saturday afternoon will be performance session 2. Mindless Mirth Productions, NKB Productions, Rhubarb Jam, Zenith City Players and Marshall Area Stage Company will be presenting shows in this session.

New this festival is a dinner at the theatre between the afternoon and evening performance sessions. The dinner is included in full packages only. It cannot be purchased a la carte. The menu (subject to change) will include pulled pork sandwiches, a veggie/pasta salad, chips, other fixin’s, cookies and water.

The performances wind up at 6:30 that evening with performance session 3. This session will include shows from Seat of Your Pants Players, Open Heart Theatre, Pargeter Players, Applause Community Theatre and FungusAmongus Players. Some shows in this session may contain language or situations that may not be suitable for all ages.

After the final performance Saturday night, we will again gather at the theatre for light snacks and socializing. Beverages (wine and sodas) will be available for purchase.

A full package is only $50 and includes the Friday and Saturday night socials, all three performance sessions and the Saturday evening dinner.

Tickets for individual performance sessions are available for $20 per performance session. (The Saturday evening dinner is NOT available for a la carte purchase – it is only available as part of the full package.)

David Metcalf and Ron Hungerford rehearsing "Death Knocks" March 2023.

FungusAmongus to Participate in Corn Carnival and Red Rooster Parades

Calling all Fungus alumni! FungusAmongus will be marching in the Cokato Corn Carnival Parade on Monday, August 12 at 6PM and at the Dassel Red Rooster Days Grand Parade Saturday, August 31 at 2PM. All volunteers are welcome to join us as we hand out our new season bookmarks and candy. Wear a past production t-shirt! Message us via social media or email if interested in participating. 

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows!

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

,

Future Fungus News - July 2024

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"Much Ado About Nothing" is this Month!

Our Summer production of William Shakespeare’s comedy "Much Ado About Nothing" opens this month! Just a reminder that all performances are FREE! We will take a free will donation following all performances. Bring your lawn chairs for all outdoor performances and prepare to laugh and enjoy an afternoon or evening of comedy.

Performances:

Friday, July 19 @ 6PM - Dassel History Center*
Saturday, July 20 @ 6PM - Jomas Winery (Darwin)
Sunday, July 21 @ 2PM - Litchfield Opera House (Litchfield)*
Thursday, July 25 @ 6PM - Masonic Park (Hutchinson)
Friday, July 26 @ 6PM - Peterson Park (Cokato)
Saturday, July 27 @ 6PM - Crow River Winery (Hutchinson)
Sunday, July 28 @ 2PM - Dassel History Center*
* Indicates indoor performance 

A comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The primary plot of Much Ado About Nothing turns on the courtship and scandal involving young Hero and her suitor, Claudio, but the witty war of words between Claudio's friend Benedick and Hero's cousin Beatrice often takes center stage. Set in Messina, the play begins as Don Pedro's army returns after a victory.

Some of the cast rehearsing recently in the great outdoors outside of the Dassel History Center.

Summer Youth Theatre Camp is this Month!

In partnership with The FungusAmongus Players of Dassel-Cokato, Community Education will be holding a Summer Youth Theatre Camp July 22 - 26. Students will showcase the skills they gain in a FREE public performance on Friday July 26 at 5:30 PM at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center. Don't miss your chance to sign up your student for what will be an unforgettable experience!

This week-long theatre camp will give students the opportunity to develop their theatre and acting skills in a fun and interactive environment. Through games and activities, these young actors will explore ways to express their creativity and spontaneity as well as build their confidence. Besides covering theatre basics (like stage movement, blocking annotation and scoring a script) students will explore physicality and character expression, scene creation and interaction, improving dialogue and using body language as well as narrative structures and story arcs. Then campers will take the tools they learned all week in rehearsals to present a FREE final showcase performance for friends, family and fellow campers that they have created, written, and developed throughout the camp. Please indicate a t-shirt size at registration.

FungusAmongus to Present at FastFest 2024

The FungusAmongus Players will be bringing a show to Fast*Fest 2024 held in Cloquet MN on August 17. "Death Knocks" by Woody Allen will be presented to "liven" things up. Both David Metcalf and Ron Hungerford will be reprising their roles from when this one act was performed during our evening of short plays in March of 2023. This along with 14 other shows from across MN will be presented. More information below regarding FastFest from our friends at the Minnesota Association of Community Theaters:

How does seeing 15 shows in one day sound to you? If that sounds exciting, you don’t want to miss Fast*Fest on August 16 & 17 in Cloquet.  Registration is now open for our biennial festival of 20-minute (max) plays.

Join us Friday evening, August 15, from 7 – 9 pm for a welcome open house at the Encore Performing Arts center. This is a chance for the presenting theatres to view the stage and facility and gather with other festival participants. Beverages (wine & sodas) will be available to purchase from the theatre.

Then come back at 9 am, Saturday morning, August 17, for the first performance session featuring shows from Penny Pinchin’ Productions, County Seat Theater Company, Ole Olson Onstage, Classics Lost ‘N’ Found Theatre Company and Thorn Productions.

At 1:30 pm, Saturday afternoon will be performance session 2. Mindless Mirth Productions, NKB Productions, Rhubarb Jam, Zenith City Players and Marshall Area Stage Company will be presenting shows in this session.

New this festival is a dinner at the theatre between the afternoon and evening performance sessions. The dinner is included in full packages only. It cannot be purchased a la carte. The menu (subject to change) will include pulled pork sandwiches, a vegie/pasta salad, chips, other fixin’s, cookies and water.

The performances wind up at 6:30 that evening with performance session 3. This session will include shows from Seat of Your Pants Players, Open Heart Theatre, Pargeter Players, Applause Community Theatre and FungusAmongus Players. Some shows in this session may contain language or situations that may not be suitable for all ages.

After the final performance Saturday night, we will again gather at the theatre for light snacks and socializing. Beverages (wine and sodas) will be available for purchase.

A full package is only $50 and includes the Friday and Saturday night socials, all three performance sessions and the Saturday evening dinner.

Tickets for individual performance sessions are available for $20 per performance session. (The Saturday evening dinner is NOT available for a la carte purchase – it is only available as part of the full package.)

David Metcalf and Ron Hungerford rehearsing "Death Knocks" March 2023.

2024 - 2025 Season to be announced at "Much Ado About Nothing"!

The FungusAmongus Board of Directors are pleased to announce that our 2024 - 2025 season has been selected and will be announced on opening night of "Much Ado About Nothing". If you are unable to attend that first performance keep your eyes focused on social media channels as we will be dropping hints as we get closer to the big announcement!

FungusAmongus to Participate in Corn Carnival and Red Rooster Parades

Calling all Fungus alumni! FungusAmongus will be marching in the Cokato Corn Carnival Parade on Monday, August 12 at 6PM and at the Dassel Red Rooster Days Grand Parade Saturday, August 31 at 2PM. All volunteers are welcome to join us as we hand out our new season bookmarks and candy. Wear a past production t-shirt! Message us via social media or email if interested in participating. 

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! We are still in need of sound technicians for "Much Ado About Nothing" this summer.

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

,

Future Fungus News - June 2024

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Cast Announcement for "Much Ado About Nothing"!

Thank you once again to everyone who auditioned for “Much Ado About Nothing”! Director Isaac Olson is pleased to announce the cast:

Kacie Carlsted as Margaret

Maia Carnicom as Beatrice

Stephen Carnicom as Don Pedro, Second Watchman

Christopher DeVaan as Benedick

Adrienne Haataja as Dogberry

Ron Hungerford as Leonato

Tait Jerde as Borachio

Michael Martin as Don John

Gannon Miller as Claudio, First Watchman

Mary Northenscold as Hero

Isaac Olson as Friar Balthazar Francis, Conrade

James Statz as Antonio, Verges

Shannon Watts as Ursula, Sexton

Performances:

Friday, July 19 @ 6PM - Dassel History Center
Saturday, July 20 @ 6PM - Jomas Winery (Darwin)
Sunday, July 21 @ 2PM - Litchfield Opera House (Litchfield)
Thursday, July 25 @ 6PM - Masonic Park (Hutchinson)
Friday, July 26 @ 6PM - Peterson Park (Cokato)
Saturday, July 27 @ 6PM - Crow River Winery (Hutchinson)
Sunday, July 28 @ 2PM - Dassel History Center

A comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The primary plot of Much Ado About Nothing turns on the courtship and scandal involving young Hero and her suitor, Claudio, but the witty war of words between Claudio's friend Benedick and Hero's cousin Beatrice often takes center stage. Set in Messina, the play begins as Don Pedro's army returns after a victory.

The cast assembled for their first read through of "Much Ado About Nothing"!

Sign up Your Student for Summer Youth Theatre Camp!

In partnership with The FungusAmongus Players of Dassel-Cokato, Community Education will be holding a Summer Youth Theatre Camp July 22 - 26.

This week-long theatre camp will give students the opportunity to develop their theatre and acting skills in a fun and interactive environment. Through games and activities, these young actors will explore ways to express their creativity and spontaneity as well as build their confidence. Besides covering theatre basics (like stage movement, blocking annotation and scoring a script) students will explore physicality and character expression, scene creation and interaction, improving dialogue and using body language as well as narrative structures and story arcs. Then campers will take the tools they learned all week in rehearsals to present a FREE final showcase performance for friends, family and fellow campers that they have created, written, and developed throughout the camp. Please indicate a t-shirt size at registration.

Fungus Movie Night June 5

The FungusAmongus Players board of directors will be hosting a movie night at the Dassel History Center on Wednesday June 5 starting at 6:30 PM where we will be watching recordings of 3 short plays we are considering for a future season. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide feedback on the short plays.

Thanks to General Audition Participants!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our General Audition sessions. The auditions along with the information provided on show preference and schedule availability will be very helpful as the board of directors narrow down the shows that will be a part of next season and beyond. The 2024 - 2025 season will be announced during the run of "Much Ado About Nothing" later this summer.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! We will need sound technicians for "Much Ado About Nothing" this summer.

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

,

Future Fungus News - May 2024

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Final Chance to Audition for "Much Ado..." & GENERAL AUDITIONS!

Your final chance to audition for "Much Ado About Nothing" by William Shakespeare, our Summer Production will be held at the Dassel History Center from 6:00 - 9:00 PM on Sunday May 5

Auditions will be cold readings from the script. Please bring your schedules for known conflicts through summer.

Performances:

Friday, July 19 - Dassel History Center
Saturday, July 20 - Jomas Winery (Darwin)
Sunday, July 21 - Litchfield Opera House (Litchfield)
Thursday, July 25 - Masonic Park (Hutchinson)
Friday, July 26 - Peterson Park (Cokato)
Saturday, July 27 - Crow River Winery (Hutchinson)
Sunday, July 28 - Dassel History Center

A comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The primary plot of Much Ado About Nothing turns on the courtship and scandal involving young Hero and her suitor, Claudio, but the witty war of words between Claudio's friend Benedick and Hero's cousin Beatrice often takes center stage. Set in Messina, the play begins as Don Pedro's army returns after a victory.

Also our GENERAL AUDITIONS will be held at these same dates and times at the Dassel-History Center. This is your chance to help decide our 2024 - 2025 season as we will be taking your input on shows you are interested in from our list below and what time frames you would be available to be in these shows!  
 

PLEASE NOTE: If you are interested in one of the musicals please bring an audition piece that shows your vocal range.
 

Shows under consideration are as follows:


COMEDIES:
"The Explorers' Club": a group of intrepid British gentlemen are aghast that their revered organization may be infiltrated by a (gasp!) woman.
"Finishing School", two elderly residents at a retirement facility address the issues of aging, loneliness and boredom.
"The Death and Life of Sneaky Fitch", what happens when the town drunk violates 'The Code of the West' by becoming Gopher Gulch's top gunslinger?

DRAMA:
"A Cry of Players", an imagined recreation of the home life of young William
Shakespeare before leaving Stratford-Upon Avon to become the world's greatest playwright.
"Spoon River Anthology", the inhabitants of an Illinois cemetery are briefly resurrected, each giving
an account of his/her small town experience of life in late 1800's mid-America.
"Under Milk Wood", poet Dylan Thomas's depiction of the quirky inhabitants of a tiny Welsh fishing village as they progress through a single day in their lives.

MUSICALS:
"Annie", the tale of an optimistic orphan girl during the days of the great depression.
"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown", the beloved "Peanuts" characters of Charles Schultz share their charming perspectives on their childhood world.
"Sweeney Todd", an innocent London barber is sent to prison by a corrupt and lustful judge. Upon his eventual release, his revenge-induced madness wreaks havoc among his unsuspecting enemies.
"Forever Plaid", when four young singers are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one final gig in this goofy, 1950s nostalgia trip.


For more information please see the original letter sent by our Artistic Director David Metcalf explaining our thinking, process, and hope around having these general auditions:

Summer Youth Theatre Camp Signups Live!

In partnership with The FungusAmonugs Players Dassel-Cokato Community Education will be holding a Summer Youth Theatre Camp July 22 - 26.

This week-long theatre camp will give students the opportunity to develop their theatre and acting skills in a fun and interactive environment. Through games and activities, these young actors will explore ways to express their creativity and spontaneity as well as build their confidence. Besides covering theatre basics (like stage movement, blocking annotation and scoring a script) students will explore physicality and character expression, scene creation and interaction, improving dialogue and using body language as well as narrative structures and story arcs. Then campers will take the tools they learned all week in rehearsals to present a FREE final showcase performance for friends, family and fellow campers that they have created, written, and developed throughout the camp. Please indicate a t-shirt size at registration.

Script Reading May 5

The FungusAmongus Players board of directors will be hosting a script reading at the Dassel History Center on Sunday May 5 starting at 3 PM prior to auditions that evening. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and join in as we read a potential script for a future season.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! We will need sound technicians for "Much Ado About Nothing" this summer.

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

,

Future Fungus News - April 2024

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"Much Ado..." & GENERAL AUDITIONS this Month!

Auditions for "Much Ado About Nothing" by William Shakespeare, our Summer Production will be held at the Dassel History Center from 6:00 - 9:00 PM on Saturday, April 20, Thursday April 25 and Sunday May 5

Auditions will be cold readings from the script. Please bring your schedules for known conflicts through summer.

Performances:

Friday, July 19 - Dassel History Center
Saturday, July 20 - Jomas Winery (Darwin)
Sunday, July 21 - Litchfield Opera House (Litchfield)
Thursday, July 25 - Masonic Park (Hutchinson)
Friday, July 26 - Peterson Park (Cokato)
Saturday, July 27 - Crow River Winery (Hutchinson)
Sunday, July 28 - Dassel History Center

A comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The primary plot of Much Ado About Nothing turns on the courtship and scandal involving young Hero and her suitor, Claudio, but the witty war of words between Claudio's friend Benedick and Hero's cousin Beatrice often takes center stage. Set in Messina, the play begins as Don Pedro's army returns after a victory.

Also during these auditions Fungus Among will be hosting GENERAL AUDITIONS to help select our 2024 - 2025 season. For more information and a list of shows under consideration please click the link below to read a letter from our Artistic Director David Metcalf

Announcing Summer Youth Theatre Camp

The FungusAmongus Players in partnership with Dassel-Cokato Community Education will be offering a Summer Youth Theatre Camp for Grades 1 - 8 July 22 - 28 at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center.

Amanda Byrne (Imberg) & Kay Wilson will be leading this camp. Registration will be announced in the summer Community Ed. brochure and FungusAmongus will also link to it on our social media channels.

This week-long theatre camp will give students the opportunity to develop their theatre and acting skills in a fun and interactive environment. Through games and activities, these young actors will explore ways to express their creativity and spontaneity as well as build their confidence. Besides covering theatre basics (like stage movement, blocking annotation and scoring a script) students will explore physicality and character expression, scene creation and interaction, improving dialogue and using body language as well as narrative structures and story arcs. Then campers will take the tools they learned all week in rehearsals to present a FREE final showcase performance for friends, family and fellow campers to celebrate their achievements.

Thank you to all who attended "The Crucible"

Thank you to all of our audience members for attending "The Crucible". We heard many positive comments as we produced this challenging work. Over 30 audience members stayed following our first Sunday matinee to engage with the cast and crew during a talkback session. We are also happy to announce that just over $500 toward our Student Scholarship fund during the run of the show. Thank you! 

Student Scholarship Reminder

As announced in our March Newsletter starting this season the funds that have been raised during our intermissions from freewill donations for treats has started to go into a fund to support a Student Scholarship which may be awarded annually based on applicants. It is open to graduating seniors and or students already attending a post secondary education that have participated in FungusAmongus productions. 

If you or a student you know would be a good candidate for this scholarship please follow the link below and complete an application, all applications must be postmarked or received via email no later than April 12th 2024.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Future Fungus News - March 2024

"The Crucible" opens in two weeks!

 Arthur Miller's The Crucible, directed by Jack Neveaux opens two weeks from tonight on Friday March 15th.

All performances are at the Dassel History Center March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24. Friday and Saturday evenings at 7PM and Sunday matinees at 2PM.

We have some exciting events to go along with this production:

  • Mary Jensen, a former Dassel-Cokato High School teacher, taught about this play for many years. Join her on March 9 at 10 am, at the Dassel History Center for a discussion of just what the Crucible is all about, as well as its possible ties to Ergot.

  • Following the Sunday March 17 performance the cast and crew will participate in a talkback with the audience, moderated by Carolyn Holji.

The cast and crew of "The Crucible" during recent rehearsals.

Student Scholarship Announcement

Starting this season the funds that have been raised during our intermissions from freewill donations for treats has started to go into a fund to support a Student Scholarship which may be awarded annually based on applicants. It is open to graduating seniors and or students already attending a post secondary education that have participated in FungusAmongus productions. 

If you or a student you know would be a good candidate for this scholarship please follow the link below and complete an application, all applications must be postmarked or received via email no later than April 12th 2024.

Auditions for "Much Ado About Nothing" set!

Director Isaac Olson is excited to announce Audition dates for William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing".

Auditions will be held at the Dassel History Center April 20, 25, and May 4 at 6pm. Auditions will be cold readings from the script.

A comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The primary plot of Much Ado About Nothing turns on the courtship and scandal involving young Hero and her suitor, Claudio, but the witty war of words between Claudio's friend Benedick and Hero's cousin Beatrice often takes center stage. Set in Messina, the play begins as Don Pedro's army returns after a victory.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Future Fungus News - February 2024

Tickets for “The Crucible” are on sale!

Tickets for Arthur Miller's The Crucible, directed by Jack Neveaux are on sale today!

All performances are at the Dassel History Center March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24. Friday and Saturday evenings at 7PM and Sunday matinees at 2PM.

Thank you to all that auditioned for "The Crucible", director Jack Neveaux is excited to announce the cast for the production:
ROLE..............................................................ACTOR
Abigail William...........................................Varis Anderson
Elizabeth Proctor.......................................Nancy Lipinski
Rebecca Nurse.........................................Elisabeth Nelson
Ann Putnam & Sarah Good..................Becky Hungerford
Ruth Putnam & Susannah Walcott.....Emilia Roskamp
Tituba.......................................……..............Lori Miller
Mary Warren.......................…....................Mary Leyda
Betty Parris.......................…..............…......Ella Baumann
Mercy Lewis........................…….................Nicole Miller
John Proctor..........................….…..............Isaac Olson
Rev. John Hale..............….........…..............Dennis Kelly
Rev. Parris............................…...…..............Ron Hungerford
Francis Nurse...............................…..........Jonathon Carnicom
Judge Danforth.......................…..............Tom Nelson
Giles Corey..............................…...............Jon Benson
Thomas Putnam....................……............Corey Roskamp
Ezekiel Cheever....................…..…..........Gannon Miller
Judge Hathorn.........................….............Brian Baumann
(Herrick) Willard.........................…..........Joe Happe

The cast of "The Crucible" at the first table read.

Script reading February 10

The FungusAmongus Players board of directors will be hosting a script reading at the Dassel History Center on Saturday February 10 starting at 4 PM. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and join in as we read a potential script for a future season.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Our 2023 - 2024 Season:

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Future Fungus News - January 2024

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Auditions for “The Crucible” this month!

Auditions for Arthur Miller's The Crucible, directed by Jack Neveaux are coming up this month.

Auditions will be held, January 12, from 6:30-9:00 pm and January 13 from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Dassel History Center. Sign up for an audition slot here:

Rehearsals will begin January 23 in the Dassel History Center or by announcement.

Audition preparation should include a good understanding of the script and some of the historical context for the play. If you have questions about the audition process or are unable to make one of the scheduled dates please feel free to email director Jack Neveaux directly at: jcknvx@gmail.com

Performances will be March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 also at the Dassel History Center. 

For more information including references and available roles please visit our audition page:

Thank you for attending "Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical"

Thank you all for attending "Nuncrackers: The Nusense Musical". We had sell out performances for our run and we had many nice comments about the production! The little sisters of Hoboken hope they brought you some holiday cheer this year!

We also are happy to announce we raised over $600 for our student scholarship fund, thanks to your generous donations during our intermissions. Thank you so much and students look for more information soon about how to apply for the Fungus Student Scholarship! 

Script reading January 14

The FungusAmongus Players board of directors will be hosting a script reading at the Dassel History Center on January 14 starting at 4 PM. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and join in as we read a potential script for a future season.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Our 2023 - 2024 Season:

Future Fungus News - November 2023

Tickets to "Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical" are now on sale!

Tickets for the hit holiday musical "Nuncrackers" are now on sale! The show will be performed on the first floor of the Dassel History Center and Ergot Museum on December 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17.

Following the Sunday December 10th matinee performance the cast and crew will hold a talkback session for any audience members that would like to learn more about the show or the process of making theatre.

The Little Sisters of Hoboken are here to make your holiday season merry and bright! All the nuns you love, plus Father Virgil and four students, take the stage to celebrate the season with warmth and hilarity.

Cast:
Sister Mary Regina, Reverend Mother……....Linda Metcalf
Sister Mary Hubert…………………………..Rhea Langemo
Sister Robert Anne…………………………...Kay Wilson
Sister Mary Paul (aka Sister Amnesia)………Lisa Kotila
Sister Mary Leo……………………………...Jaclyn Thorston
Sister Francis, Stage Manager……………Becky Hungerford
Father Virgil…………………………………Gannon Miller
Mount Saint Helen’s Students:……………...Gideon Barberg, Selah Barberg, Emory Carnicom, Alex Nelson

Production Crew:
Director……………………………………..Dave Metcalf
Vocal Director………………………………Kay Wilson
Pit director………………………………….Randy Wilson
Choreographer……………………………...Linda Metcalf
Set Crew Chief……………………………..Ron Hungerford
Audio Crew Chief………………………….Tom Nelson
Lighting Crew Chief……………………….Terry Moore

Thank you for attending “Bloody Murder”

Thank you all for attending our fall production of "Bloody Murder". Our production was sold out and the laughs were great to hear!

We also raised over $600 dollars from our intermission treats during the run of the show for our forthcoming Student Scholarship. Thank you!

Winter Production Update: 
"The Crucible"

We are excited to announce our audition and performance dates for our winter production of Arthur Millers "The Crucible". Mark your calendars!

Auditions will be held at the Dassel History Center on January 12 and January 13, more information to come.

Performances will be March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 also at the Dassel History Center. 

The production will be directed by Jack Neveaux.

Script reading November 11

The FungusAmongus Players board of directors will be hosting a script reading at the Dassel History Center on November 11 starting at 2:30 PM. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and join in as we read 2 potential scripts for future seasons of Fungus.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Our 2023 - 2024 Season:

Future Fungus New - October 2023

"Bloody Murder" opens next week!

"Bloody Murder" opens next Friday October 13 and will be performed at the Dassel History Center on October 13 - 15 and 20 - 22. The show will be performed on the third floor so seating will be limited and tickets are going fast, get yours now!

Following the Sunday October 15th matinee performance the cast and crew will hold a talkback session for any audience members that would like to learn more about the show or the process of making theatre.

A group of the usual British murder-mystery types gather for a weekend retreat at the sumptuous country estate of the esteemed Lady Somerset. There's the major who served in India; the inebriated, fading actor; the innocent ingénue; the exotic lady in red; the mysterious Chinese gentleman; the rich dowager aunt and her faithful maid and worthless nephew. Suddenly, one of them dies of poison! Well, of course. Oh, what fun! But wait . Her Ladyship refuses to summon the police! She says she won't go through all this, again. All what, again? And why were they all invited here in the first place? Is this actually just another formulaic, all-too-predictable mystery story? Or is it something diabolically: different? Agatha Christie meets Pirandello, as characters rebel against their author. It's bloody murder.

PLEASE NOTE: Cap guns are fired on stage during the production and produce a loud bang.

A few rehearsal images from "Bloody Murder" Nicole Miller, Brandon Densmore, Maia Carnicom, Brian Bauman, Isaac Olson, Ron Hungerford, and Rick Wyman pictured.

Audition Info for “Nuncrackers”!

Director Dave Metcalf announces auditions for "Nuncrackers" By Dan Goggin.

Auditions will be held at the Dassel History Center on Monday October 16, at 6 PM and Saturday October 21, at noon. 

Auditions will be done with cold readings from the script, please prepare a song that shows your vocal range and bring your schedule and conflict calendar through December 17.

The Little Sisters of Hoboken are here to make your holiday season merry and bright! All the nuns you love, plus Father Virgil and four students, take the stage to celebrate the season with warmth and hilarity.

We are looking for one male, age mid 20's-early 30's and four children (2 boys, 2 girls) age 7-13.

 Performances are December 8, 9, 10 and 15, 16, 17.

Mike Ackerman - In Memoriam

On September  21 our FungusAmongus family sadly lost a mainstay of our acting company. Mike Ackerman was an amazing  actor  and a wonderful human being. He has left behind a legacy of heartwarming performances and warm-hearted friendships.

Serving as the long-time Cokato barber, he became a master of conversation, always engaging his clients and his friends in intelligent discussion on any topic. His ultimate focus seemed to center upon sharing genuine interest in everyone’s opinion and everyone’s “story.”

On the stage, he served as that great example of “how to do things right” for every actor, novice or veteran who ever had the pleasure of working with him and watching him craft a role. He was diligent and precise, with meticulous attention to detail. He would spend hours practicing – on his own – the tiniest bits of minute stage business, such as: the most efficient way to make a sandwich onstage.

Mike’s comic timing was impeccable, his onstage shenanigans were hilarious. One of my favorite, most memorable moments in all my years of theatre occurred during a dress rehearsal for a play called “The Prince, the Wolf and the Firebird”, a comic spoof of Tchaikovsy’s “Firebird” ballet. Mike, portraying a penniless, down-and-out Russian king meets and instantly falls in love with an aging princess who, as a teen, was abandoned on her way to be married to a foreign prince – and has waited at the same crossroad for decades with no other company than her three dolls. Amorous sparks flew as King Afron (Mike) gazed into feckless Princess Moushksa’s (a mustachio’d Jon Benson’s) eyes.  It was a Tim Conway-Harvey Korman break-up moment that had the entire cast and crew gasping in laughter for nearly 20 minutes.

Though masterful at comedy, he could also bring folks to tears, as he did in his portrayal of Ron Huber in “The Ice Fishing Play” as a widower tortured by memories of the loss of his wife, his brother and his own will to carry on all alone.

Perhaps Mike’s greatest assets, though were his overwhelming kindness and his ability to make others feel comfortable and important.

Mike will be remembered by his theatre family as a man who infused every role just as he infused his life: with dignity and grace; With a smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eye.
We all will miss you terribly, Mikey.
 
With love and fond memories,
Dave Metcalf
 
P.S.      You will find below a list of all the plays Mike Ackerman performed in for the various D-C area theater companies. Please take a moment to look through the titles to find performances you may have attended – and recall a happy memory he may have inspired. And Smile. We dedicate our 2023 - 2024 season to Mikes memory.

Mike Ackerman’s Shows for D-C Audiences
 
1975    The Legend of Sleepy Hollow……The Pastor
1982    Little Mary Sunshine……………..General Fairfax
1983    You Can’t take it With You……….Martin Vanderhof
1985    Fools………………………………Doctor Zubritsky
1985    Peter Pan………………………….Mr. Darling
1986    Two By Two………………………Shem
1987    Something’s Afoot………………..[DIRECTOR]
1988    The Foreigner……………………..Charlie Baker
1989    Ducks and Lovers…………………Professor Weiner
1991    Noises Off…………………………Lloyd Dallas
1992    Annie………………………………Fred McCracken (and others)
2008    The Ice Fishing Play………………Ron Huber
2009    More Fun Than Bowling………….Mister Dyson
2012    Arsenic and Old Lace …………….Dr. Einstein
2015    The Romancers……………………Blaise
2016    Fiddler on the Roof……………….The Constable
2017    The Voice of the Prairie…………..The Jailer

Our 2023 - 2024 season marches on!

In case you missed it we have announced our full 2023 - 2024 season!

  • October 2023: Bloody Murder by Ed Sala

  • December 2023: Nuncrackers by Dan Goggin

  • Winter 2024: The Crucible by Arthur Miller

  • Summer 2024: Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

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Future Fungus News - September 2023

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Tickets to "Bloody Murder" are on sale now!

Tickets are now on sale for "Bloody Murder" which will be performed at the Dassel History Center on October 13 - 15 and 20 - 22. The show will be performed on the third floor so seating will be limited, get your tickets now!

A group of the usual British murder-mystery types gather for a weekend retreat at the sumptuous country estate of the esteemed Lady Somerset. There's the major who served in India; the inebriated, fading actor; the innocent ingénue; the exotic lady in red; the mysterious Chinese gentleman; the rich dowager aunt and her faithful maid and worthless nephew. Suddenly, one of them dies of poison! Well, of course. Oh, what fun! But wait . Her Ladyship refuses to summon the police! She says she won't go through all this, again. All what, again? And why were they all invited here in the first place? Is this actually just another formulaic, all-too-predictable mystery story? Or is it something diabolically: different? Agatha Christie meets Pirandello, as characters rebel against their author. It's bloody murder.

Cast List for "Bloody Murder"

The director would like to thank all who auditioned, and would like to note that our audiences are in for a real treat with this talented cast!

  • Lady Somerset: Rick Wyman

  • Jane: Becky Hungerford

  • The Major: Ron Hungerford

  • Charles: Brian Bauman

  • Devon Tremaine: Brandon Densmore

  • Emma: Maia Carnicom

  • The Countess: Nicole Miller

  • Chief Inspector Phelps: Terry Moore

  • The Motorist: Lori Miller

  • Mr. Woo: Isaac Olson

  • El Gato: Gannon Miller

  • The Nun: Jaclyn Thorsen

  • The Priest: James Statz

2023 - 2024 Season Announcement!

In case you missed it we have announced our full 2023 - 2024 season!

  • October 2023: Bloody Murder by Ed Sala

  • December 2023: Nuncrackers by Dan Goggin

  • Winter 2024: The Crucible by Arthur Miller

  • Summer 2024: Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

March with Fungus in the Red Rooster Days Parade

  • Wear your favorite past production shirt and march with Fungus to hand out our 2023/2024 season bookmark.

  • The Red Rooster Days Parade is Saturday, September 2 beginning at 2PM.

  • Reach out to us on Facebook if you are interested in joining us for the parade.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! 

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions! We are looking for a stage manager for "Bloody Murder" reach out via our socials if you are interested!

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

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Future Fungus News - July 2023

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"The Secret Garden"
Opens next Friday!

Come to the Garden!

The cast and crew have been hard at work preparing the production and are excited to share it with audiences. Tickets are available to purchase on our website, fungusamongusplayers.org, and at the door prior to all performances.

Performances are July 21, 22, 28, and 29 at 7PM and 23 and 30 at 2PM at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center
The Secret Garden is a musical based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical's script and lyrics are by Marsha Norman, with music by Lucy Simon. It premiered on Broadway in 1991 and ran for 709 performances. The story is set in the early years of the 20th century, when Mary Lennox, an English girl born and raised in the British Raj, is orphaned by a cholera outbreak when she is 10 years old. She is sent away from India to the moors of Yorkshire, England, to live in the manor of a brooding uncle she has never met. There, her personality blossoms among the other residents of the manor as they bring new life to a long-neglected garden.

Audiences should use the Highway 12 entrance to the PAC parking lot, as the entrance off of Reardon Avenue is currently under construction.

2023 - 2024 Season Announcement!

  • It’s almost time for us to announce our next season of shows. The upcoming season will be revealed at performances for The Secret Garden.

  • Keep a lookout on our social media for hints about the shows leading up to the announcement. Here are four images to start off—one representing each show in our upcoming season. Do you have any guesses?

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows! We are in need of 1 - 2 additional tech crew members for "The Secret Garden"!

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions! 

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Future Fungus News - February 2023

It's almost opening night for: "Endings: An Evening of One-Act Plays!"

Tickets are now on sale for "Endings: An Evening of One-Act Plays.” Click HERE for the box office.


Performances are February 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 7 p.m. and 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. at the Dassel History Center.

FIVE shows in one evening!

  • HIDDEN IN THIS PICTURE by Aaron Sorkin:  Production is three weeks behind and $6 million over budget!  Now the sun is setting with only 11 minutes left to film, before the bigwigs shut production down. Then three cows gradually wander into the panoramic scene.   Directed by Linda Metcalf.

  • THE END OF THE BEGINNING by Sean O'Casey:  One O'Caseys very few comedies. An Irish farmer and his wife argue about which of them has the toughest job. They agree to switch duties for a day and then compare who succeeds best - with catastrophic results. Directed by Dave Metcalf. 

  • DEATH KNOCKS by Woody Allen: Nat Ackermann is on his bed reading when a mysterious figure climbs through his window and claims to be Death. Death is a little nervous; it's his first day on the job. Nat suggests that they play gin rummy. If Nat wins, he doesn't have to go to the Happy Hunting Ground for 24 hours. Directed by Tom Nelson.

  • ANIMAL by Oliver Hailly: Oliver Hailly’s play showcases Claire Marie. Claire Marie’s mother is frustrated. She has people coming for a celebration and her 12 year-old daughter has climbed a tree and will not come down! Directed by David Metcalf.

  • CLEAR GLASS MARBLES by Jane Martin: Laurie's mother was diagnosed with cancer. But she decides to deal with it on her own terms. Laurie recounts the process. Funny, poignant and bittersweet. Directed by Jack Neveaux.

Nancy J. Lipinski portrays Laurie in "Clear Glass Marbles" by Jane Martin.

David Metcalf portrays Nat and Ron Hungerford portrays Death in "Death Knocks" by Woody Allen.

New sound system has arrived!

Thanks to a generous grant of $10,000 from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council we have been able to purchase a new sound system, complete with wireless mics, a mixer board, and four speakers. This will enable us to improve sound quality in indoor venues, and also make us more audible at outdoor performances.

So many ways to have fun with FungusAmongus!

You don't need to be on stage to have fun with FungusAmongus. For example, we're always looking for: 

  • Stage Managing / Crew Members. Do you want to help behind the scenes with the magic that goes on during the show? Help manage the stage and with set during our productions. We especially need crew members for the night of One Act Plays.

  • Treat wranglers. Could you bake some yummy bars for us to serve at intermission? Could you serve those treats and coffee at our shows?

  • Stud sensors. Can you drive a nail, or paint a wall, or perhaps work some interior design magic? Our set-building crew is looking for you.

  • AV Club members - learn to run sound or light for our shows.

Get started by contacting us through our website or social media channels.

Upcoming Shows

The Secret Garden: July 21 to 23 and 28 to 30 at the Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center (PAC). Directed by David Metcalf. Auditions to be held in Mid-May, watch our social media channels for more info.