Fall Show 2001

Fall Show 2001

Fall Show Dates: October 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 2001

Cast Listing (Now with Cast photo)

Pictures from the Show (New 10/14/01!)

October 14, 2001 - A great final weekend! Thanks to all of you who came out and made Hello Dolly another successful OHP show. The cast and crew did another exemplary job and compliments have been continuous from the opening. These shows are really a perfect example of a labor of love. Virtually everyone involved gives up doing many other things so that the show can come to reality. That means entire families get involved as well, so when you see a spouse and/or cast and crew member from the show, thank them all for me. This show belongs to them all, and to those of you who saw it come together on stage. Thanks for sharing it with us. Watch this site for your opportunity to join us again next spring, either as a member of cast and crew, or a member of the audience. Any way you participate, we'll promise a time you'll enjoy looking back on!

October 10, 2001 - The first weekend behind us, the news is out, and the cast is gearing up for near sellout crowds for the second weekend. This cast has worked very hard at making this a wonderful experience and it shows. The phone has not stopped ringing for tickets. There still are tickets available for all three remaining nights (Oct 11,12, 13 2001) I thought I'd give you a heads up however; Thursday night is your best bet for seats. Those of you who have been in the Opera House before, know that there really aren't many seats that don't give you a good view of the show, and with our sound system, you won't miss a word where ever you sit. With this show, you won't want to! Don't delay, get your tickets for the final weekend of Hello Dolly today by calling 873-2378 or email tickets@icsbbs.com

October 6, 2001 - The opening was a success. The show went off wonderfully, with the cast and crew putting on a now standard OHP evening of entertainment. It is these days that a director enjoys. That guy sitting back in the back running sound with a grin from ear to ear for the entire show is me! Great show, great cast, great crew. I only hope that everyone involved is enjoying it as much as I am. I know from audience reaction that there was no shortage of enjoyment happening in the house. Several first time OHP patrons let us know how impressed they are with the show. They can't believe that a show of this quality happens in small town America. Believe it, and come and see for yourself. Hello Dolly continues Oct 6, 11, 12, 13, 2001. Call your friends. Come see the show!

October 03, 2001 - Details Details Details... They are what make the show and that is what we are into now. Facial expressions, fast scene changes and every bit of organization that goes into them. The cast is bearing with me as we pull this show into that experience that you won't want to miss. Don't get me wrong. It's a GREAT show right now, I just want to make it perfect, and this cast and crew is working hard to help me make that happen. That means long hours and lots of patience. The orchestra has been wonderful. The principle characters are doing great. The chorus has been working to give me what I want and the show needs with some absolutely wonderful character faces on stage that are a pleasure to look at, and listen to as they sing. A cast of 50+ people and a wonderfully expansive set, costumes, and props are making this show a lot of work, but believe me, it is all worth the final product. Do NOT be one of those people who say... "I guess I should have gone but I just didn't get around to it." Do a neighbor a favor, call and ask if they have their tickets yet. They will thank you for a wonderful night of entertainment. Say Hello Dolly in two days!

September 28, 2001 - From the press release for next week's papers: Hello Dolly is in final rehearsals for an October 5th opening. The cast of 50+ people from all over NE Iowa and SW Wisconsin, with additional waiters from the MFL MarMac Community School district and the River Ridge School District make this a musical in the grand old style. You can be sure the Opera House Players will provide all the touches that will take you back to the 1890's as we watch the superbly manipulative Dolly Levi (played by Beth Hamlett) work her magic and snare her future husband. From the beautiful sounds of the orchestra, to the bright costumes and elegant sets; Hello Dolly will send you into the early fall evening chuckling and humming a tune. Seats are still available at Moser Pharmacy, by calling (563) 873-2378, or via email at tickets@icsbbs.com. The show runs October 5,6,11,12,13, 2001 at 8pm in the Elkader Opera House. Escape with the OHP to a simpler time

September 27, 2001 - Finally! I've got some new pictures up from practice to give you an idea of some of the set work, costumes, and detailing that has been going on for this show. It is indeed all coming together. The activity is still of a frenetic nature, but it seems to be organized frantic activity now. <grin> When you see this show, watch the costume changes, the set changes, the props, the orchestra cues, the lighting and realize just how many details there are that go into a production. There are many many people involved in making this all happen, and again and again they make it happen so well! Hello Dolly is going to be another OHP great show that leaves you humming and grinning from ear to ear.

September 26, 2001 - I realize I'm dropping the ball a bit here, but I decided you would rather I made sure the show was everything it could be before I worried about the web site. Lots of things left to do, but many things happening that are making this show nice indeed. As you can see above, Cary Kann did his wonderful work again and we now have our original OHP cover art for this show. We'll keep working. Cast pictures need to be taken in the next two nights so I'll post those here when they are done. It is going to be a great show!

September 19, 2001 - I can hear the thoughts now... enough words, how about some more pictures. Okay... I'll do my best to get some new cast shots on the site ASAP. After last night's rehearsal, I had to jump back on to let you know that the show continues to amazing me in terms of what we're going to be able to bring to you. It feels good to go home with a truly "pumped" feeling that says; "Boy are they going to love this!" Some of the dance last night was very impressive. For those of you who say "who wants to watch dance?" think of it instead as eye candy. We're not talking ballet here, but more like precision drill team moves. I know it impresses me, and this is just as they are learning the moves. Just wait till they have them down! Sixteen days till opening. Get your tickets folks!

September 18, 2001 - Okay, we're at that point. Your humble director is entering the "frantic" stage. Thank goodness that I know these things always work out or it would be time to buy stock in Tums. <grin> The past week was a stressful one for all, and I want to start out thanking all who helped out to keep things going on an even keel. It was good to be together with friends. Lots of work occurring at a "frantic" pace. Thanks to all who stopped by and helped out with set work long hours this past weekend. The major mechanics of most of the set pieces are coming along nicely. We're almost at the decorate and touch up phase,and should be well into that this weekend. Some of our plans for this show put a big load on our technical director, but he's coming up with all the answers we need as we go. Thanks Tom! Orchestra is with us and helping get us all more toward the production atmosphere. Costumes are coming in from many different avenues after long hours of sewing from many different hands. These shows take a tremendous amount of work from a large number of people, volunteers one and all. You've got a wonderful treat in store. I wish I could have a camera on stage to see the look on audience faces as some of the scenes unfold. The visual and auditory experiences are going to be wonderful. Hello Dolly is almost here.

September 11, 2001 - A busy weekend with lots of "neccesary" things getting done. Not as much visable in terms of staging but behind the scenes work is progressing well. Some of us spent 5 hours on Sunday casting lead "counterweights" that will be necessary for some of the special scene changes we have in mind. While we were at it, we created extra. Around 1/2 ton worth. By the time you deal with that much lead for that period of time, you find muscles that you didn't know you had. The effort was worth it as the set piece is now moving better than ever. You'll know the one we've been dealing with when you see it onstage! A good portion of the orchestra was with us on Sunday night and the cast really appreciated their being there. It's fun to hear the show come together as well as see the changes. This next weekend should see lots of changes as we are ready for the "many hands make light work" section of set building. I hope to be so engrossed in taking pictures to let the artists work. <smile>

September 5, 2001 - Lots of time spent on songs last night and boy does this show the talent of this cast. (Don't tell them that though as I know they are capable of more than what they are giving me...) A good group of singers that make music rehearsals fun. As set forms up over the next weekend we should start feeling the show come together. I did take a few pictures of the Sept 3rd rehearsal and have them online. I'll try to get more pictures this week and from now on. For now.. you can click on the picture link at the top of this page and it should always take you to the latest group of pictures. Dolly continues to grow!

September 1, 2001 - Another good practice week. You sometimes have to wonder if everyone would enjoy watching the transformations occur as much as those of us in the production of the show do. We see the talent at the tryouts, imagine the set and costumes, and look ahead and know what the final product is going to be. Getting there then becomes half the fun. I'm sure some of the new faces wonder if it will ever happen. Those of us who have been involved for years, know that it will. The basic set continues to develop. Next weekend will be a big one in terms of change I'm sure as the groundwork is pretty much laid. I realize it's past time for pictures, and I hope to get that started next week. Costumes are working hard and we're ready for the quantum leaps in progress that begin to happen at this level of the show. Orchestra material is here. They will join us for full rehearsals beginning the week of September 9th. Dolly is on the way!

August 28, 2001 - Wow, time files when you're having fun. No, my lack of comment is not due to lack of activity. Rather it is due to an abundance of activity on many fronts. The show is coming along wonderfully. Those of us involved in the production end are watching these first practices and realizing what a wonderful show we've got brewing. I know we always say that, but once again we are blessed with a cast that hit the ground running. As we watch these characters develop, and fit an ambitious chorus into the picture, we're very well pleased with the site and sound we are hearing. Set work has begun, and I'm excited also about the possibilities for a visual extravaganza on that end. The OHP tries never to do things half way. Hello Dolly will prove that fact once again! Tickets, are now onsale. Make that call and reserve yours now.

August 15, 2001 - Good first night last night. It was fun to hear the cast members start their work on character developement even on the first read/sing through. There are a LOT of talented people in this cast. I have no worry about the skill of this cast and it's ability to make this a great show. Also, after meeting with the technical and production heads on Monday, I'm excited about the possibilites for the set for this show. We've got some great ideas in the works and are ready to get started on things. We have plans to make some minor changes to stage and curtain that will allow us more room on stage to make best use of our full cast. As the changes begin, I'll try to keep the site updated with pictures of the work in progress.

August 14, 2001 - Rehearsals begin tonight! The production crew has already spent many hours dealing with set design and many technical aspects of the show. We're more than ready to start with the cast. The schedule is set. Unless there are serious conflicts that we were not made aware of, this will be the rehearsal schedule for the show. Each cast member will get a copy. I will endeavor to keep an updated copy online as well. Click here for the first draft. I'm anxious to see this cast in action. If tryouts were any indication, we have another fantastic show brewing. We will announce ticket sales as soon as they are ready. Stay tuned!

July 22, 2001 - After Saturday's final look, we can announce the cast. I must apologize. I'm doing this in sort of a rush as there are events that will make it difficult to stay on top of things the next couple of weeks. The cast list is up, and as best as I can see, it is correct. Everyone has been contacted and is onboard for another great OHP show. First rehearsal is August 14th at 7:30pm at the Elkader Opera House. Second rehearsal will be August 16th same time. Cast members - full rehearsal shedules will be available at that time. If there are any conflicts that come up please let me know ASAP as I'll be building the schedule with those in mind. More information coming. The excitement begins!

July 19, 2001 - Another good night last night with some new faces and some well known OHPers back for more fun in an OHP production. Good to see so many people there, but as always it makes it very difficult to do the casting. We're running through several different possibilities for the cast for this show, each change in one cast member cascades down to others. We've pretty well set some of the characters, but are holding others open as we have a few people yet to see this weekend. If all goes well, we should have a cast set and announced on the web site by Monday. First rehearsals begin August 14th. I'm excited to begin!

July 17, 2001 - A good showing of talent at tonight's tryout. I could almost hear some of the final production numbers in my head as the group was singing through the songs. Good strong voices and lots of fun people. Looks like another standard high quality OHP production on the way. Still another night to get to. If you couldn't make tonight or tomorrow, hopefully you've let me know already. I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. Plan to be there and be part of the OHP and Hello Dolly!

July 15, 2001 - Tryouts are coming in a couple of days and the interest in high again for an OHP production of Hello Dolly. I know that there are some of you who can not make the original two tryout dates. Please email us and let us know if you are very interested in trying out for the show. We will do everything we can to try to setup a second tryout if necessary. Click here to email us, please include information on when you would be available. While we can't guarentee success, we'll do our best.

July 5, 2001 - It's official! We've set tryout dates for the OHP fall production of Hello Dolly. They are set for Tuesday and Wednesday evening July 17th & 18th at 7pm at the Elkader Opera House in Elkader Iowa. As usual please enter by the back side door by the parking lot.

This show has a large cast with several "main" characters of note along with a sizable supporting cast and chorus. We will be looking for 2-4 younger boys and girls (grades 3-6) as well as a sizable number of 7-12th grade young men and women. There are a few main roles in this age range. Check the cast listing above for descriptions.

We will be looking for 6 women plus a number of additional women for chorus.

We will be looking for 11 men (with doubling possible) plus a number of additional men for chorus

Rehearsals will start mid to late August. For additional information please contact director Craig Strutt at 563-873-2378 or email us: OHP