Arts & Humanities
Musical sure to knock your socks off, by James A. Panowski
Arts & culture news & notes, by Nikke Nason and press releases

 

 

Musical sure to knock your socks off
T he Full Monty, an upbeat musical with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a hilarious book by celebrated playwright Terrance McNally is the next offering in the Forest Roberts Drop Everything theatre season at Northern Michigan University. Bold, hilarious, bawdy and in your face, The Full Monty runs from February 19 through 23 at 7:30 p.m., with a 1:00 p.m. matinee on the February 23.
The Chippendales have nothing on the unemployed steel workers in Buffalo (New York) who concoct a bold way to make some extra cash.
Watching their wives cheer the male strippers on Girls Night Out, Jerry Lukowski—Mayville (Wisconsin) senior Zach Ziegler—and Dave Bukatinsky, Stevens Point (Wisconsin) junior Travis Moscinski decide to round up some of the guys and have auditions for a very different “chorus line.”
By the time they are through with auditions, they have six men—Malcolm, Curtis senior John Pann; Harold, played by Marquette local Steve Oates; Horse, played by Marquette local Anthony Gibbs; and Ethan, played by Boyne City sophomore Brenton Fitzpatrick.
But in order to secure the exclusive club of Tony Giordano, Hesperior sophomore Timmy Grams, a $1,000 deposit is needed.
Jerry turns to his ex-wife, Pam, played by Gwinn senior Sherry Bollero, who wants nothing to do with the harebrained idea. His son, Nathan, Marquette eighth grader Marty Grey, has money in his college savings account and willingly loans it to his father.
With sales flagging (who wants to see a bunch of local guys strip?), Jerry decides the group, optimistically named Hot Metal, is going to throw caution to the wind. They are going to go “all the way” and do The Full Monty. What happens on that fateful night will leave audiences shrieking with laughter and cheering on Hot Metal.
As the group works through their fears and anxieties, they discover renewed self-esteem, the importance of friendship and the ability to have fun.
Other cast members include Marquette freshman Susan Boyle, Marquette sophomore Ellisa Clumpner, Los Angeles senior Mike Gerdwagen, Marinette (Wisconsin) senior Tony LaMalfa, Normal (Illinois) freshman Dave Lyon, Rudyard sophomore Betsy McDonoff, Roscommon senior Megan Perry, Downstate Sawyer junior Bree Prehn, Escanaba senior Mike Rudden, Escanaba freshman Jennifer Skogman, Gwinn senior Emily Strazzinski and Ishpeming local Julie Williams.
Please note this musical is rated “R” for incidental nudity, language and content.
The Full Monty is directed by Paul Truckey with musical direction by Lynne Koski Lanczy and choreography by Shannon Franz. Scenic design is by Victor G. Holliday with lighting design by Kimberly Hegmegee. Shelley Russell designed costume and Jen Henry is props master. Becky Heldt serves as production stage manager and Kelly L. Passinault as assistant director. James A. Panowski is the producer.
Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the FRT box office weekdays from noon to 5:00 p.m., at TCF Bank in the University Center, at the Superior Dome or the Vista Thrift Shop. Credit card reservations can be made by calling 227-1032. Online reservations can be made at www.nmu.edu/tickets
Beginning February 18, reservations can be made by calling 227-2082. Tickets prices are $13 for the general public and $9 for NMU students.
—James A. Panowski

 

 

Arts & culture news & notes
Call for nominations
Nominations are being sought for the twelfth annual Marquette County Arts Awards, sponsored by the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Committee. Nominations are open to the public and sought for the following categories:
• Volunteer—for longtime efforts on behalf of the arts in Marquette County.
• Community Arts Activities—for making things happen and demonstrating significant accomplishment in advancing and supporting the arts in the community.
• Outstanding Arts Educator—for providing extraordinary leadership and creativity in advancing the cause of art education in the schools and in the community.
• Arts Business Honor Roll—for a business that has recognized excellence in the arts by supporting artists or arts organizations in its community.
• Outstanding Visual Artist—for a working community artist who has consistently made an impact in artistic discipline.
• Outstanding Performance Artist—for a working community artist who has consistently made an impact in his or her artistic discipline.
• Special Recognition—for a working community artist or organization that has consistently made a contribution or an impact upon the community in his or her artistic discipline.
• Youth Award—for a youth who has consistently made a contribution or made an impact upon the community in his or her discipline.
Nominations are due by February 15 and can be submitted by calling 228-0472, e-mailing nnason@mqtcty.org or mailing City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center; 300 West Baraga Avenue; Marquette, MI 49855.
All nominations must be for Marquette County residents. State the name, category and qualifications of the person you wish to nominate. The awards take place in a public ceremony in May.

First Thursday with Jackie Winkowski
The City of Marquette First Thursday of the Month Series will present a dog sledding book reading and slide show with Jackie Winkowski, author of Miki’s Challenge and Miki’s Race at 7:00 p.m. on February 7 in the Community Room located in the lower level of Peter White Public Library. Admission is $2 per person.

Quarterly arts calendar
Marquette arts organizations wishing to have their summer arts and cultural events occurring May through August 2008 published in the Marquette Summer Arts Calendar should submit the information via mail to the Marquette Arts and Culture Center; 300 West Baraga Avenue; Marquette, MI 49855, e-mail to nnason@mqtcty.org or fax to 228-0479 by April 1. This is free and open to arts and cultural events in Marquette.

Multimedia juried exhibition
The City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center will present its annual NMU Art Students League Multimedia Juried Exhibition on display from February 7 through 29 in the Lower Level Gallery in Peter White Public Library.
A public reception will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on February 7. The NMU Art Students League fosters cooperation between focus areas in the School of Art and Design, sponsors exhibits and guest lecturers, and plans social activities for the School of Art and Design.

Symphony orchestra concert
The Marquette Symphony Orchestra will present its third concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. on February 9 at Kaufman Auditorium.
The concert will feature Rossini, Hanson, Beethoven, Elgar, Debussy and Dvorak. Featured will be Debussy’s “Dansee Sacree et Profane” for harp and orchestra, featuring Nancy Redfern and Dvorak’s “Silent Wood” for cello and orchestra, featuring Robert Ritsema.
The concert will be guest conducted by Dr. David Cole, who has a doctorate in music from the University of Arizona and is an assistant professor of music and director of orchestral studies at Northern Kentucky University. Cole’s first academic position was as a music instructor at NMU from 1989 to 1993.
Tickets are available at the door or in advance by calling 227-1032, visiting www.nmu.edu/tickets or at NMU EZ ticket outlets. Tickets for children twelve and younger are $7, children thirteen to eighteen, $10 and adults, $25.
The public can join the MSO for dinner at 5:00 p.m. at the Landmark Inn before the February concert. Enjoy cocktails and fine food along with a brief lecture from Cole. Dinner selections include stuffed chicken, roasted pork tenderloin and salmon.
Tickets for the dinner are $50 per person, and a reservation is required. You also can request shuttle service to the concert.
For details, call 228-0472 or e-mail mqtsymphony@aol.com

Derrell Syria Project Concert
The City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center will present a concert featuring Derrell Syria and friends at 1:00 p.m. on February 9. Suggested donation at the door is $2 per person.

Youth auditions for “The King and I”
The City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center will be holding auditions for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I in late February for ages five through eighteen.
For more information about this or any of the above events, call 228-0472 or e-mail arts@mqtcty.org

Twentieth annual Glacier Glide
The Lake Superior Art Association announced that the twentieth annual Glacier Glide Winter Outdoor Art Exhibit will take place from noon to 5:00 p.m. on February 16 at Presque Isle Park in Marquette. The exhibit is held on the same weekend as the UP200 sled dog races.
Artwork displayed outdoors is accessible by hiking, snowshoeing or skiing. Youth-made art will be displayed inside the pavilion.
Refreshments will be provided. Ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded, and viewers vote for the people’s choice “Best of Snow” award.
To register or to volunteer, call Patty at 226-5310 or e-mail patsmith@nmu.edu

Wintercharm displayed in MACC
“Wintercharm” is an annual art exhibition sponsored by the Lake Superior Art Association, with support from the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center.
This year’s theme is “Preserving the Beauty of our Northern Climate.” Artwork that embodies the beauty of the north and winter weather will be accepted.
This is a nonjuried exhibition open to the public; all media is welcomed. The exhibit will be in the Huron Mountain Club Gallery in PWPL from February 3 through March 12. A reception will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on February 7. Artists and the public are welcome to attend.
For details and entry forms, call 228-0472.
—Nikke Nason and press releases