2004: Vol. 18, No. 2

Letter from the President

Dear Friends,

Much has happened during this production season, both on and off the stage. Our year began with a reprise performance of Nunsense. The ladies once again did a bang-up job. Shortly after, we assisted with the All School Musical Cinderella, and what a tremendous group of students they were-a true joy to work with. Mid-summer we paid tribute to our 25th year in community theater by presenting a revue called, Oh What a Beautiful 25 Years!. During this performance we were fortunate to be graced by the presence of the Board of Directors of CTAM (Community Theater Association of Michigan) who honored us with an award recognizing our 25th year. The show provided us an opportunity to thank you our patrons and members in person. Closing out our performances was Anything Goes.

I wish to express a special thank you to Len Miller, Paul Frair, and Bob Leon, (a.k.a. The Geezer Group), on behalf of the Board, for building such a wonderful set for Anything Goes. The time and energy you put in was very evident. To our directors, Mike Aubin (Stage), Tom Maksimchuk (Music), Sara Perfetti (Vocal), and Jill Sajdyk (Choreographer) - your vision, talent, and patience made it a unique and wonderful experience for everyone involved. THANK YOU!

Currently, we are exploring the feasibility of assisting with a live radio/theater series in cooperation with Calumet Township and Main Street Calumet. This idea was partially inspired by the success of our War of the Worlds live/radio theater production last fall. Next spring we plan to introduce a new director, graduated from our Director’s Workshop, and in the fall plans are to produce Annie Get Your Gun. Finally, I’d like to personally thank everyone for making my year as President a pleasant experience. I look forward to my final year on the Board as Immediate Past President.

Ken Olkkonen

President

Thank You So Much!

It has been a busy year and there are many people involved. It is difficult to name them all. But a special thank you goes out to Mike Aubin who directed Nunsense, Cinderella, and Anything Goes and performed in Oh What a Beautiful 25 Years. And to Sara Perfetti who was music director for Cinderella, vocal director for Anything Goes, and performed in Nunsense. And to everyone, for so freely and generously donating your time, talents, and energy to make this season such a success.

Please accept this thank you from the entire Board of Directors .

Annual Meeting/Silver Anniversary Party

This year our annual meeting will be held on Saturday, October 9th. For many years we have had our meetings at local restaurants with a nice meal and the meeting following. This year we want to do things a bit differently. Since it is our Silver Anniversary, we want to really kick up our heels and celebrate. Sooo..here’s what we are planning. There will be a social at 7:00 p.m., the meeting at 7:30 p.m., with festivities to follow.

The main business to be conducted is the election of officers. This year the office of Vice-President, Secretary, and 3 Trustee positions are open. If you are interested in serving on the Board, please contact any of the Board Members, or nominations are accepted from the floor at the annual meeting. Following the meeting we want to have a good old fashioned PARTY!! Be prepared to have fun! We will have music, more music, and maybe even dancing!! The place is the Little Gem Theatre at the E-Center in Lake Linden (across from St. Joseph’s Church). Use the north entrance and go down the stairs. Watch for the signs.

We are asking everyone to bring a finger food or snack and your own beverage. Refrigeration may be limited so if you need to bring a cooler, that’s fine. If you have any favorite CD’s, we welcome those also.

Everyone is welcome. Whether you’re just starting your relationship with the Players, or you’ve been a member, or patron, for many years, come join us. We’d like to get to know you better or renew old friendships.

Where Are They Now?

Leah Krznarich, soprano, is a native of Hancock, MI. She has performed throughout Michigan as a soloist, most recently in the Fauré Requiem, and Handel’s Dixit Dominus, with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Krznarich was also a Young Artist with the Pine Mountain Music Festival in 1998, the premiere year of the program. In May 2004, Ms. Krznarich received her Master’s Degree in Voice Performance from the University of South Carolina, where she studied with Laurie Christie. While at USC, she performed the role of Anna Gomez in The Consul, and covered the role of Norina in Don Pasquale. She also appeared in the Opera Workshop productions of The Magic Flute as the Queen of the Night, and Cosi fan Tutte as Fiordiligi. In 2003, Ms. Krznarich was the soprano soloist in Schubert’s Mass in G and Charpentier’s Messe des Morts, both with the USC Choir. In May 2004, she was a featured soloist with the Arpad Darasz Singers. Leah’s summer was spent in Eureka Springs, Arkansas where she attended “Opera in the Ozarks.” She sang the role of Eleanor von Sonnig in the American premiere of House of the Sun, an opera by popular Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara. Other performances included a turn as a violin-playing student in Orpheus in the Underworld, a night of opera scenes, and a solo in the Fourth of July concert. Currently, Ms. Krznarich is pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Voice Performance at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts, where she studies with Mark St. Laurent

Calumet Players Membership 2004

Thank you for your support!

Annual Raffle Report

Our thanks and appreciation for the kindness and generosity of the following business establishments for donating to our raffle. The raffle, held annually by the Calumet Players during our September production was once again a great success.

First Prize:

Winner-Kate Beer

Brockway Mountain Inn & Coffeehouse

Overnight accommodations for two

Courtesy of Steve & Karen Karl

Mariner North

$40 Gift Certificate for dinner for two

Courtesy of Don & Peggy Kauppi

Isle Royale Queen

Sunset cruise for two

Courtesy of Don & Betty Kilpela

Lighthouse Ferry Service

Tour of Copper Harbor Lighthouse for two

Courtesy of Nick Rajacic

Second Prize:

Winner-Verna Roth

Laurium Manor Inn

Overnight accommodations for two

Courtesy of Dave & Julie Sprenger

Toni’s Country Kitchen

Lunch for two

Courtesy of Eric & Wanda Frimodig

Calumet Theatre

Tour of Calumet Theatre for two

Courtesy of Eve Lindsey

Third Prize:

Winner-Mark Carlton

Loading Zone II

Two $20 gift certificates

Courtesy of Dave & Judy Berg

Fourth Prize:

Winner-Joe Banovetz

Jake’s 7th Street Garage

Oil & Lube change

Courtesy of Jonathon Pressel