I’m as restless as a willow in a windstorm; I'm as jumpy as a puppet on a string.  I'd say that I had spring fever, but I know it isn't spring… Oh, sorry, I guess I got carried away listening to a song from our upcoming show “State Fair” (“It Might as Well Be Spring”).  What a sweet, happy musical this one is!  Don Fresen will be directing this great show about Americana at its finest.  A short synopsis: the Frake family gets to spend 3 exciting days at the Iowa State Fair (cue up “Our State Fair”) in Des Moines .  Parents Abel and Melissa hope for some blue ribbons – Abel thinks his farm boar will win a prize and Melissa is entering her special mincemeat recipe - while their children Margy and Wayne are more interested in Midway romance.  Comedy and love drive this charming bit of American heartland tradition.  

          Auditions for “State Fair” will be held at the Malt House Theater on Monday and Tuesday, May 24 & 25 at 7 PM.  Don tells me that he would like auditioners 14 years and older to come with a prepared song (an accompanist will be available), be ready to learn some simple dance steps and expect to be asked to cold read from the script.  Production dates for the show will be July 14 – 17, 22 – 25 and July 29 - 31, August 1. 

          Tickets for “State Fair” will be available to the general public two weeks prior to opening at the Daily Brew Coffee House at 557 Milwaukee Avenue in Burlington at the cost of $12 or on-line (at a slightly higher price) at

Our next auditions after “State Fair” will be for the Young Haylofters’ upcoming musical version of “101 Dalmatians”.  Directors Julie Busch and Brendan Haglund would like children aged 5 – 14 to audition for this Disney Classic.  Auditions will be held at the theater on June 14 at 1 PM and June 15 at 10 AM. 

          Finally, Jordan Debbink, will be directing a Benefit Concert for the theater to help pay for a theater lighting update.  Jordan tells me that he would like the Benefit to feature a wide variety of music for chorus, small choral groups and soloists of varying ages – yes, that’s right, children too.  Auditions will be held on June 22 and 23 at 7 PM.  Look for more information about this in our June edition of Happenings.

Did you know that we have almost gained $1000 from the Sentry Funds for Friends drive?  This is so simple for our patrons, but gives us so much help keeping our doors open!  All you have to do is ask for a sticker on the back of your Sentry grocery receipts and bring those receipts to the lobby of our theater where you will find a collection basket for them.  Simple, right?  Yes, simple, but with BIG benefits for your community theater!  Please remember us with your Sentry grocery receipts.

                     Phyllis Hartwick