One day, this winter will be over. While that may seem far off now as the snow continues to fall, we are already looking ahead to the spring. We’re thrilled to announce the launch of a variety of spring programming. Associate Artistic Director Adrienne Sweeney has all of the details for you!
By Adrienne Sweeney
As Michael Scott from The Office would say:
“OKAY! It’s happening!”
I am thrilled to announce the official launch of our long-awaited second play series, Wealhouse, with Bakersfield Mist by Stephen Sachs. Even more exciting to me—I get to perform this two-person show with my hubby, Hal Cropp! I play Maude, a woman who believes she has purchased a painting by the famed abstract artist Jackson Pollock. She calls in an art critic to verify the work. Needless to say, sparks fly. Based on a true story, it’s a funny, saucy play about the nature of art and authenticity. I just can’t wait to jump into a role that is so very different from what I typically do here at the Commonweal.
You might remember, Wealhouse was set to launch in 2017, but was postponed due to the challenges attending Scott Dixon’s cancer diagnosis. Wealhouse is a passion for many of us here at the Commonweal, but particularly for Scott, who championed the opportunity to engage our audiences in bold new ways. When I read Bakersfield Mist I knew this was just such a show. It really got me thinking…what is art? How can you tell? Who gets to decide? With a play that arouses these types of questions, it was a no-brainer that we would collaborate with our local experts, Lanesboro Arts, to offer a two-weekend celebration of creativity—Spring Into Art.
Not your typical art festival, Spring Into Art will be highly interactive, giving you the chance to create your own work at an art-making crawl. There’ll be a raucous “Canvas Clash” during which regional artists will compete in a multi-round, speed-painting art “battle” with works being created right before your eyes and you as the judge. The award-winning bio-pic Pollock will be screened both weekends. Panel discussions with curators and arts educators will address the questions above and more. And of course, there will be theatre! Not only will Wealhouse launch with Bakersfield Mist, but the Commonweal Apprentice Company will produce their capstone project—in a word by Lauren Yee.
You might be asking yourself—if the apprentice show is on the mainstage, where will Bakersfield Mist be performed? Another component of a Wealhouse production is that it will encourage us to explore a variety of performance spaces. In this case, Bakersfield Mist will find us back in our old home, next door—the St. Mane Theatre!
As we kick off our fourth decade of producing professional live theatre here in Lanesboro, I am delighted to be a part of this celebration of what makes Lanesboro truly unique—art! I hope you’ll join us as we explore new horizons.
We hope you can join us for this new festival, especially for our two theatrical offerings, Bakersfield Mist and in a word. See you in Lanesboro, soon! For Tickets –> Performance Calendar
(Please be advised, both productions contain adult language and themes.)
