Troupe America Inc., Curt Wollan, Executive Producer and the Washington Pavilion
Present
AWAY IN THE BASEMENT:
A CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES CHRISTMAS
Written by
GRETA GROSCH
Music and lyrics by
DREW JANSEN
Inspired by the books of Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson including the best-seller,
“Growing Up Lutheran”
In order of appearance
| MATTHEW AARON | ...... | Pastor |
| AUTUMN O’RYAN | ...... | Mrs. Lars Snustad (Vivian) |
| NIKKI SAVITT | ...... | Mrs. Gilmer Gilmerson (Mavis) |
| CARRIE SALOUTOS | ...... | Mrs. Elroy Engelson (Karin) |
| KAITLYN CASANOVA | ...... | Miss Beverly Engelson |
(Understudies: for Karin– DORIAN CHALMERS; for Vivian – JUDI GRONSETH; for Beverly – KATIE ADDUCCI; for Pastor – TIM DRAKE)
Understudies never substitute without prior announcement
| Set Design | Costume Design | Light Design |
| SCOTT R. HERBST | KATRINA BENEDICT | SCOTT HERBST |
| Sound Design | Musical Staging & Choreography |
| MARK BRODIN | WENDY SHORT-HAYS |
Music Direction
DENNIS CURLEY
Directed by
LEXIE WOLLAN SWENSON
Special thanks: Al Todnem for carving the Nativity pieces. Pastor Gary Olson and Lakeview Lutheran church, ARCA Minnesota, Zion Lutheran church, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Joanne Deter who said “Curt, you should call those Lutheran Ladies,” Thrivent Volunteer Services, Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson for their inspiration and many stories of Church Pageants. Children’s Christmas crafts by the students from the Theatre Department of Visitation School.
The operating of cameras or recording devices is strictly prohibited by copyright law. Please turn off anything that will make noise including cellular phones.
TROUPE AMERICA, INC. PRODUCTION STAFF
| Company Manager | ...... | MATTHEW AARON |
| Stage Manager | ...... | RACHEL LANTOW |
| Sound Engineer/ Tour Production Manager | ...... | KAY RICHARDSON |
| Technical Director | ...... | PAUL MANSFIELD |
| Master Electrician | ...... | JIM EISCHEN |
| Tour Transportation | ...... | MAYO TOURS |
| Trucking | ...... | STAGE CALL |
| General Manager | ...... | JOHN TSAFOYANNIS |
| Production Manager | ...... | TRICIA HOFELD |
| Payroll Services | ...... | WELLS FARGO BUSINESS PAYROLL |
| Accounting | ...... | BROCKMAN-MARCHAN & COMPANY LTD. |
| Legal | ...... | FAEGRE, BAKER & DANIELS |
ACT I
Morning of December 19, 1959
(The day of the annual Sunday School Christmas Program)
Away in the Basement
Company
The Unforgettable Christmas Program of 1958
Vivian and Company
(Everybody is a Kid Again ) At Christmastime
Karin with Beverly, Mavis and Vivian
Just Not Mary Material
Mavis with Beverly, Karin and Vivian
Always One More Thing
Beverly with Karin, Mavis and Vivian
ACT II
Later that same morning
Away in the Basement (reprise)
Karin, Mavis, Vivian and Pastor
Piñata
Karin and Company
Whatsoever You Doo-wop
Vivian with Karin and Mavis
Reindeer Rendezvous
Pastor and Company
I Think You’d Like Her
Pastor
Jeg Er Så Glad
Company
Finale – Company
A HISTORY OF THE CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES
In 2003 Troupe America Inc. acquired the rights to the complete works of Janet Martin and Suzann Nelson, authors of the award winning book, “Growing Up Lutheran”. Their story inspired the musical Church Basement Ladies, which premiered at the Plymouth Playhouse in Minneapolis September 2005. This charming show explored the lives of a rural community in the late 1960’s, and the run-away hit had audiences clamoring for more. In March 2008 A Second Helping took the story of these lovable characters into the 1970’s. The holiday prequel, Away In The Basement (premiered November 2009) invited the audience back to Christmas of 1959. A Mighty Fortress Is Our Basement (opened August 2011) continued the story into 1960’s, and The Last Potluck Supper (August 2013) wrapped up the series (we thought) as the audience gathers on the church lawn in the fall of 1979 for the Centennial Celebration of the church. The men of the church invaded the church basement kitchen for repairs in 1964 in Rise Up O Men (August 2016) with a joyous mixture of new and old characters. After 3000 performances at the Plymouth Playhouse, these shows have gone on to play theatres around the country to millions of audience members. And today these delightful characters are sharing their lives with you. Enjoy the show!
