Season Announcements

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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.

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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.

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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 - August 2023

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Farewell to "The Secret Garden"

We would like to thank everyone who came to see The Secret Garden. We’re also grateful for everyone on stage and behind the scenes who helped bring it to life!

"Come to the garden..."

2023 - 2024 Season Announcement!

With The Secret Garden closing out our 2022-2023 season, it’s finally time to announce our 2023-2024 season of shows!

  • 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

Auditions for "Bloody Murder"

Open auditions for Bloody Murder by Ed Sala, directed by Tom Nelson, will be held at the Dassel History Center on Saturday August 19, at 10 AM and Tuesday August 22, at 7 PM.

Auditions will be done with cold readings from the script. 

This mystery/comedy may be performed with 6, 8, or 12 actors. Each version requires an equal number of women and men. In the six and eight actor versions, several actors play more than one role. The most prominent characters are:

 

1) Lady Somerset - In her 70’s. A woman of great wealth and social standing.

2) Jane - In her 60’s. Lady Somerset’s maid and head of staff.

3) Emma Reese - Late 20s. The far-too-innocent ingenue.

4) The Countess - Late 30s, quite strikingly well preserved. The mystery woman.

5) The Major - Late 60s. Served with the military in India and constantly reminds everyone of it.

6) Devon Tremaine - Late 40s to early 50s. Formerly great tragic actor, now decking because of his fondness for single-malt Scotch.

7) Charles - Late 30s to early 40s. Her Ladyship’s worthless nephew.

8) Chief Inspector Phelps - Forties or 50s. The dim-witted policeman.

They are all stereotypes and meant to be so. The director would prefer to cast as many folks as possible for this production (maximum of 12).

 

Performance dates are October 13-15 and 20-22.

Please feel free to message our Facebook page with any questions.

March with Fungus in the Corn Carnival and/or Red Rooster Days Parades

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

  • The Cokato Corn Carnival Parade is Monday, August 7 beginning immediately following the Kiddie Parade which begins at 6PM.  

  • 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 in either 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! 

  • 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.

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Future Fungus News - October 2022

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Thank you to our patrons who visited the Little Sisters of Hoboken during their opening weekend! Four performances remain to see “Nunsense II - the Second Coming.” Reviews are stellar for this hilarious continuation, and tickets are selling quickly.  We are praying you get yours in time for next Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or a matinee on Sunday. Tickets HERE.

Ho, ho ho, let’s talk about our Christmas show! (Take a big breath.) It is called “The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut, and the Slaughter of Twelve Hit Carols in a Pear Tree.” Auditions take place Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dassel History Center. The plan is to read through the entire play to get to know and enjoy it - and share a few laughs and maybe tears. Adults as well as a few teens and children will be needed for this show. The performances will take place December 9 to 11 and 16 to 18 at the Dassel History Center.

Finally, we are thrilled to announce our summer 2023 show is “The Secret Garden, the Musical” which will take place at the Performing Arts Center on the Dassel-Cokato High School campus. Performances will be the last two weekends in July 2023.

Watch for more news about upcoming auditions and productions (Winter 2023 Night of One Acts) on our social media sites or in additional emails and blog posts. And mark your calendars, too.
See you at auditions and the shows.
We remain grateful for your support.

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Prayers have been answered! Tickets for Nunsense II are now available!

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That’s right! The FungusAmongus Players are coming back to the stage with “Nunsense II: The Second Coming.”  We urge you to visit www.fungusamongusplayers.org/currentshow, and purchase tickets soon - our first Nunsense show was a complete sell out, and you don't want to miss this one. You can also order tickets by phone - just call the Dassel History Center at 320-275-3077, and the friendly staff will assist you. Performance dates are: September 30, and October 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

You also might want to put the dates for auditions and other upcoming shows on your calendar now, too.  Here is what is in the works:

“The Butterfingers Angel, Mary & Joseph, Herod the Nut, & the Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree” is our holiday show.  Auditions will take place Wednesday, October 12 at the Dassel History Center, beginning  at 6 p.m. There are roles for adults, as well as for five teens, and two children. We welcome everyone to auditions - no experience necessary. Come have fun with FungusAmongus Players! Directed by David Metcalf, this piece portrays the story of the nativity from a fresh and richly creative point of view, using deftly constructed short scenes, traditional Christmas music, and often antic characterizations. Performance dates are: December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18.

Join us in February 2023 for a "Night of One Acts." Four directors will each present one short play. Each show is completely different from the others, but a common theme runs among them. Can you guess what it might be?

And, for Summer 2023, we plan to present a musical.  Stay tuned for more details.

In other FungusAmongus news:

* Watch our website and social media (Facebook and Instagram) for audition info and other items of theatrical importance.

* Watch for us in Dassel's Red Rooster Days parade on Saturday, September 3. Former cast and crew members please join us!

* Funds donated during coffee time at show intermissions will be used to help us purchase a new sound system. We welcome any and all donations at any time, and thank you in advance. FungusAmongus is a 501c3 organization.

* Like to sew? We would love to have you assist us with costumes. Contact any board member if you're interested, or message us via our website or Facebook Messenger.

* Are you a proud tech nerd? We need you! Come help out with lights or  sound for our plays and let your skills shine. Contact any board member if you're interested, or message us via our website or Facebook Messenger.

 

 

FungusAmongus Players 2017-2018 Season to be Announced on June 25!

Ever since the Village Players formed a few decades ago, community theatre has been a vibrant element of the Dassel-Cokato culture. Whether enjoying the nostalgic feel of an elementary school stage, the unique, intimate spaces of the Dassel History Center & Ergot Museum, or the more roomy expanse of the Performing Arts Center - thousands of people have been drawn into new...and sometimes familiar...worlds to explore. 

Several years later, a new chapter begins as the FungusAmongus Players of Dassel-Cokato (FA) announce its first ever full season! In years past, the company has focused on one winter show which, every two years, was used in the American Association of Community Theatres (AACT) festival cycle. We want to give area talent more opportunities to participate, and offer our delightful audience more shows to enjoy.

We've been reading scripts, talking, debating, reading...reading...talking. You get the idea. And now we're ready to lay it all out on the table!

Want to know what shows will be in the FungusAmongus Players 2017-2018 Season? The announcement will take place at the June 25 at the 2:00pm final performance and fundraising event for "The Voice of the Prairie" at the Performance Arts Center. Come send your theatre company off to the National AACTFest and be among the first to get the scoop on our inaugural full season - and start thinking about how you might want to get involved (audition, help with set, volunteer support, etc.)! 

See you there!