Our 2020 season opens on Friday, January 31 with Arsenic and Old Lace, Joseph Kesselring's 1939 comedy. Read all about it -- along with other CT news -- in the latest issue of our newsletter.

For Immediate Release

January 23, 2020

Contact:
Susan Goes, Executive Director, 541-942-8001

Cottage Theatre holds auditions for Mamma Mia on February 9 & 10 

Cottage Grove, OR —  Cottage Theatre is holding auditions for its spring musical, Mamma Mia, on Sunday February 9 & Monday February 10 starting at 6:30 pm. Auditioners need only to come to one of those dates and no appointment is necessary. Auditions will be held at the theatre, located at 700 Village Drive in Cottage Grove. Mamma Mia will have a four-weekend run from April 3 - 26, and will be directed by Tony Rust.

With music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, the story of Mamma Mia is told through a collection of ABBA's greatest hits. The plot centers around Sophie, who is engaged to be married, and is planning her dream wedding on the Greek island Kalokairi. There is just one problem, she does not have a father to walk her down the aisle. In order to find out who her mystery dad is, Sophie snoops through her mother’s old diaries for clues to her father’s identity. Much to her surprise, the diaries reveal three possible dads! Undaunted, Sophie invites Sam, Bill, and Harry to her wedding, without telling either her mother or fiancé that she has done so. When the three unsuspecting men arrive on the island for the nuptials, chaos erupts and Sophie still doesn’t know who should rightfully walk her down the aisle. 

A large cast of over 20 women and men (late teens through fifties) is needed for Cottage Theatre's production. Those interested in auditioning should prepare a short selection (around 24 bars) of either an 80s pop song or ABBA song, and come ready to sing karaoke in pairs or trios, and read from the script. Additional audition details are available at www.cottagetheatre.org.


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For Immediate Release

January 2, 2020


Contact:
Susan Goes, Executive Director, 541-942-8001

Cottage Theatre opens its 2020 season January 31 with Arsenic and Old Lace

Cottage Grove, OR — Cottage Theatre kicks off its 38th season with a tale of merry mayhem and murderous aunts. Joseph Kesselring's classic play Arsenic and Old Lace opens the theatre's 2020 season with a three weekend run beginning January 31.

Abby and Martha Brewster are charming spinster sisters who lovingly care for their eccentric nephew Teddy, who believes himself to be President Theodore Roosevelt. The sisters give generously to local causes, and serve homemade biscuits and jam whenever Reverend Harper comes to tea. So their nephew Mortimer is flabbergasted to discover that the cellar is filled with a dozen deceased gentlemen who “benefitted” from his aunts’ peculiar brand of end-of-life charity. Arsenic and Old Lace premiered in 1939 and still ranks among the best-selling Broadway plays of all time. 

Cottage Theatre's production of Arsenic and Old Lace is directed by Keith Kessler, with set design by Tony Rust, costume design by Rhonda Turnquist, and lighting design by Amanda Ferguson. Nikki Pagniano and Marcee Shriver Long lead the cast as Abby and Martha Brewster, along with Kory Weimer, Dale Flynn, and Earl Ruttencutter as their three Brewster nephews. Rounding out the ensemble are Josh Coon, Dylan Skye Kennedy, John Vaughan Lemhouse, Blake Nelson, Garrhett Nelson, James Scoggins, and Ashlee Winkler. 

Arsenic and Old Lace runs for three weekends at Cottage Theatre from January 31 - February 16, 2020. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 pm.

Tickets are available online at www.cottagetheatre.org, by phone at (541) 942-8001, or in person at the Cottage Theatre Box Office, 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth (age 18 & under).  Box Office hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and one hour before performances. All seating is reserved and advance purchase is recommended.

Founded in 1982 in Cottage Grove, Cottage Theatre presents a year-round season of plays and musicals featuring the finest Lane County talent. Its 38th season also includes Mamma Mia; Seeking Red (West Coast Premiere); You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Hunchback of Notre Dame; and Elf the Musical. 

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