Morris Theatre Guild planning 3 events soon

Play, auditions and yearly meeting all coming up

MORRIS – Although there still is work to be done on the Morris Theatre Guild’s first show of the season, which opens Oct. 15, the guild already is looking ahead to its Christmas show, for which it will host auditions Sunday. Additionally, the theater guild will have its annual meeting for members Sept. 16.

The Morris Theatre Guild seeks actors between the ages of 10 and 80 to comprise the cast of its second show of the season, “A Mostly Minnesota Christmas” by Brian Mitchell. The play tells the story of Bill and Abby and their long-estranged relatives, who start showing up on Bill and Abby’s doorstep as they prepare for Christmas in frigid northern Minnesota to heal old wounds and reconcile differences. The show will be directed by Christine Johnson and will be presented Dec. 3 to 12 with performances on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The cast calls for 11 actors: four males, four females and three of any gender. The hosts, Bill and Abby (35-50), are joined by Grandpa and Grandma (55-80), Bill and Abby’s son and daughter (10-14), Bill’s brother Ed (40-50), Ed’s wife Lisa (30-45), Ed and Lisa’s son (10-14) and daughter (10-12), and Lisa’s old flame Oliver (25-40). Auditions will take place 1 to 3:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the theater, 516 W. Illinois Ave.

Additionally, the annual meeting of all members of Morris Theatre Guild is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the theater. Members can get a peek at the set for the October show, “Squabbles”; hear an update on last year’s activities and plans for the upcoming year; and vote for members of the board of directors. Members need to be current on dues to vote. The Morris Theatre Guild has an active year planned and encourages anyone interested in theater to consider becoming a member by attending the yearly meeting and visiting the website to pay dues.

‘Squabbles’ opens Oct. 15

The cast of the first show of the season, “Squabbles” by Marshall Karp, is busy rehearsing for the show, which runs Oct. 15-24 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This hilarious play pits a father-in-law against a mother in a comedic succession of squabbles. Jerry Sloan, played by Dan Rosier, is a successful writer of advertising jingles married to an equally successful lawyer, Alice, played by Bailey Dunbar. Living with the happy couple is the not so happy Abe Dreyfus, Jerry’s curmudgeon of a father-in-law played by Jim Welch.

The situation is exacerbated when Jerry’s mother Mildred, played by Kathy Missel, loses her house in a fire and needs a place to stay. Abe and Mildred can’t stand each other. Add to the mix a handyman, played by Bill Gillespie; a retired pharmacist neighbor, played by Bill Slivka; and a governess, played by Judy Miller, to join the craziness. This play, directed by Matt Pasternak, is one hilarious confrontation after another until the heartwarming finale in which the oldsters discover that, really, each is not so bad. Tickets are available at morristheatreguild.org or by calling 815-942-1966.