VOYAGER VILLAGE—The Village Players Community Theatre has announced their 10th annual summer production. Members gathered at the stables theatre to kick off the 2008 season and review production plans for Fred Charmichael’s Play ‘The Best Laid Plans”.

The show dates were established beginning July 31 to August 10 with matinees on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Kitty Holmquist a veteran Players actor and director will direct the humorous fast moving production. Cast members are all from our local area and include Joseph Palkowitsch, Johnny Thomas, Yvonne Thomas, Ginna Erickson, Darlene Hallberg, Bille Kay Ingalls, A. J. Holmquist and Pam Quarford.

In addition to the players over 70 people are involved in the production doing everything from makeup, stage construction, lighting, publicity, whatever talent you have it seems there is a job for those interested.

Judie Balderson, one of the original founders of the play group, congratulated the members on their accomplishments over the last 10 years, The original objective was to create a true “community theatre” bringing quality productions to the area and providing area residents the opportunity to get involved with the theatre experience. Judy commented that this objective has been accomplished.

In addition, a quality theatre facility with state of the art facilities has been built using the proceeds from the productions and the labors of member volunteers. The Players have also been able to use revenues to fund scholarships for area schools and donate directly to the theatre departments in these schools.

Theatergoers will have the option to attend a pre show buffet of heavy Hors d’oeuvres before Thursday and Saturday performances. And Sunday matinees will be proceeded by an optional ice cream social.

All seats are reserved. Tickets are available by calling Dee at 715-259-7876.

Meet the Village Players

VOYAGER VILLAGE—This is the first of the “Meet the Players” series, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Village Players Community Theatre. “ The Best Laid Plans” by Fred Carmichael is a comedy that will delight you, make you laugh and have an altogether great evening or afternoon at the theatre.

The “family that plays together stays together” is an old saying and it must be true. Our featured players this week are a threesome of Yvonne and Johnny Thomas and her son Joe Palkowitch.

Yvonne acted in plays in high school and won an acting award. She has been hoping to find a theatre group like The Village Players and found it right here in Burnett County. The Thomas’ live in Oakdale Minnesota, and for the past seven years have had a cabin on Big Mc Kenzie Lake. Being a nurse who works out of her home she can now coordinate business and pleasure.

Son Joe is a great fit for our play” The Best Laid Plans” as he has been in the field since high school. He earned his AA at the Art Institute in Minneapolis and now works at Studio 23 doing post production editing, special effects and web design. In high school he kept busy by making his own movies with a video camera starring his friends and himself. This is his first appearance with the Village Players.

Johnny Thomas is no stranger to the stage as he has made many appearances around the Minneapolis area with his “Dueling Pianos”. He was known as the “ Insult Piano Guy” a real Don Rickels with a keyboard. John recently started a new business venture called “The Handyman Can”.

Our Theatre group is really excited to have 10 outstanding performers, a great director in Kitty Holmquist as well as over 70 local people doing everything from make-up , stage construction, lighting, publicity and more. We are having lots of fun putting together our 10anniversary production.

It is easy to see how this talented three along with the rest will show you the best.

See you at the play. Call Dee at 715- 259-7876 for reservations.