Whether it’s on the stage, the screen, the pages of a book, or being lived out in our own lives, we all love getting wrapped up in a good story. Great stories make us laugh and cry, teach us and make us think, give us an escape, and can even transform us. Stories are alive and well in Lanesboro. Most people don’t equate a small town of 750 with a thriving theater scene, but in this regard little Lanesboro is a big surprise. This summer, the Commonweal, Lanesboro Community Theater, and even the Lanesboro Historical Museum are sharing stories with all who care to listen.
1. The Commonweal Theatre: Lanesboro’s professional live theatre company has been telling its stories for over 25 years. Souvenir, by Stephen Temperley, runs until September 3 and introduces Manhattan socialite Florence Foster Jenkins who developed quite a singing career in spite of the fact that she rarely sang on-key. Watch for the upcoming movie starring Meryl Streep as Jenkins. The Three Musketeers, by Ken Ludgwig, brings Alexandre Dumas’ classic tale to the stage and runs from June 17 – October 24. With action, comedy, and romance, what more could you want? Pride’s Crossing, by Tina Howe, shares the inspiring story of Mabel Bigelow who became the first woman to swim the English Channel. It runs from September 9 – November 13. The Commonweal’s own adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will wrap up the 2016 season and will run from November 18 – December 20. Tickets are available online at commonwealtheatre.org or call the box office at 800-657-7025.
2. Lanesboro Community Theater: Rehearsals are already in full swing for Seussical the Musical! Based on the works of Dr. Seuss, this show will be enjoyed by the whole family. Evening shows at 7 p.m. at the St. Mane Theater on July 15, 16, 22, and 23. Matinees at 2 p.m. on July 17 and 24. Tickets are available at BrownPaperTickets.com or call 800-838-3006.
3. Lanesboro Historical Museum: A grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council has allowed the museum to offer “History Alive! A Lanesboro Tour with Pop-Up Plays,” the last weekend of May and the last weekend of September. The plays will be performed at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The tour begins at the Lanesboro Historical Museum. As you walk through the downtown area, plays featuring some of our local community actors will “pop up.” The plays this year tell some of Lanesboro’s stories from the 1930s. Read more about it here.
The acting bug has bitten one of our own staff members at Stone Mill Hotel & Suites. Wyatt Seabloom, our hotel maintenance man, not only plays the role of Olaf in the pop-up plays but is also starring as Horton the Elephant in Seussical the Musical. We often wish the hotel itself could tell us its stories from the days when it was the feedmill and the poultry plant. If these walls could only talk! If you are planning a getaway to create a few stories of your own, consider Stone Mill Hotel & Suites. Guests consistently give us praise on our unique building, convenient location, and friendly staff. Those are stories we love to tell.
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