“THE FRONT PAGE”
A Fast-Paced Comedy

Click for CAST LIST

Directed by Paul Warshauer

Adapted from the play by Ben Hecht
and the Columbia Pictures film version starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell

THREE Performances:
June 7 at 7:30 pm + June 8 at 7:30 pm + June 9 at 2:00 pm
Martin Luther College Auditorium
Tickets on Sale May 10 at Chamber of Commerce, Hyvee, and on line.
This classic screwball comedy is in the dingy Press Room of Chicago's Criminal Courts Building, overlooking the gallows behind the Cook County Jail.  Reporters from most of the city's newspapers are passing the time with poker and pungent wisecracks about the news of the day. The year is 1928. Walter Burns, a  hard-boiled editor for The Morning Post who learns his ex-wife and former star reporter, Hildegard "Hildy" Johnson is about to marry bland insurance man Bruce Baldwin and settle down to a quiet life as a wife and mother.
Walter determines to sabotage these plans, enticing the reluctant Hildy to cover one last story, the upcoming execution of convicted murderer Earl Williams! Walter does everything he can to keep Hildy from leaving, including setting Bruce up so he gets arrested over and over again on trumped-up charges. He even kidnaps Hildy's stern mother-in-law-to-be.  When Williams escapes from the bumbling sheriff, and practically falls into Hildy's lap, the lure of a big scoop proves too much for her. She is so consumed with writing the story that she hardly notices as Bruce realizes his cause is hopeless and leaves.  The crooked mayor and sheriff need the publicity from the execution to keep their jobs in an upcoming election, so when a goofy country bumpkin messenger brings them a reprieve from the governor, they try to bribe the man to go away and return later, when it will be too late. Walter and Hildy find out just in time to save Walter and Hildy from being arrested for kidnapping. Afterward, Walter offers to remarry Hildy, but she refuses at first. The audience will love the twists and turns the play tales as every newsman wants to get on “the Front Page!”  

Call NUACT for details at (507) 359-9990.

Regional Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific Announced!

The New Ulm Actors Community Theatre, (NUACT) announced auditions, rehearsal dates, and performance dates for their summer musical, the award winning Broadway musical, “South Pacific” by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. A full orchestra, exotic costumes, and elaborate sets will contribute to make this production one of the largest community theatre musicals in New Ulm’s history.

The play will be directed by theatre veteran Paul Warshauer with Musical Direction from Miles Wurster, Director of Instructional Music at Martin Luther College.

Vocal Direction will be by Kathryn Wurster and the Producer of the show is NUACT Chair, Judy Sellner. Reed Glawe will be in charge of set construction and Keara Roberts is Associate Producer. Vicki Kuehn is the Stage Manager and Danica Scharlemann is the Assistant Director.

Everyone who loves musical theatre is strongly encouraged to participate on stage as performers or off stage working with costumes, sets, properties, publicity. The show is still seeking a choreographer.

Auditions for those who feel they can play a leading role are on Monday, April 29, at 7:00 in the Auditorium at the Martin Luther College in New Ulm. Leading roles include Emile DeBeque, Nellie Forbush, Lt. Cable, Bloody Mary, and Luther Billis. Leading performers may also schedule appointments to audition if they cannot make the Principals’ auditions.

Auditions for all other adult and 12 children’s roles (age 6-18) will be held Monday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 12 at 7:00 pm & June 15 at 1:00 pm at the Martin Luther College. Callbacks, if necessary, will occur after regular auditions on June 15.

People who audition will read material from the script, learn then sing musical numbers from the show, and learn a simple dance routine.

Six weeks of rehearsals from June 18 to July 24. Not every performer or musician is needed at every rehearsal. Most rehearsals occur on weekday evenings, on Saturdays during the day, and on Sunday nights.

Four performances are planned at 7:30 pm on Thursday July 25, Friday July 26, and Saturday June 27, and 2:00 pm on Sunday July 28. All shows will be in the 900 seat DAC (former Middle School) auditorium which is air conditioned.

For more information about auditioning, or to serve on backstage crews, call Director Paul Warshauer at (507) 359-9990, e-mail him at execdir@newulmact.com, or visit the website at www.newulmact.com.

Our Music and Vocal Directors:
Miles Wurster (Bio)
Katheryn Wurster (Bio)