Jonathan Gregg in “Vintage Hitchcock”

Union Street Players received an e-mail from Jonathan Gregg this past week letting the USP family know that he’ll be moving to Green Bay, Wisconsin to take a broadcasting position with television station WGBA, the NBC affiliate in Green Bay. Jonathan made his USP debut in Vintage Hitchcock and won an award for his outstanding character work from the Iowa Community Theatre Association in that show. He was also seen in last summer’s production of Once Upon a Mattress. Jonathan’s excellent skills on stage and behind the camera will sorely missed, but we wish him all the best in his new endeavor!

Kites: Michael Still, Mariah Kooyman, Sarah Davis

Wolf 1: Olivia Kane

Wolf 2: Eric Moore

Father Wolf: Jake Anderson

Mother Wolf: Jessi Vos

Tabaqui: Phil Hoole

Shere Kahn: Mitch Shephard

Funky: Sara Collins

Cheeky: Sydney Swanson

Trout: Karl Dekyne

Akeela: Connie Jagau

Bagheera: Jessica Anderson

Young Mowgli: Johnson Morgan

Mowgli: Micah Ziemetz

Baloo: Chess Van Wyk

Wolf Cub: Chloe Morgan

Kaa: Denise Gregory

Messua: Devin McCain

Production Team:

Director: Lisa Morgan

Assistant Director: Maggie-Anne Landon

Production Assistant: Jalissa Morgan

Producers: Anne McCullough Kelly and Deb Linn

Union Street Players (USP) wrapped “Night of January 16th” on Sunday afternoon. The courtroom drama provided a lot of fun for audience members, especially those who had the experience of sitting on stage in the jury box and rendering their verdict each night. While there were jury members who were adamant about the guilt of Karen Andre, the verdict at all four performances was “not guilty.” Nevertheless, the twisted tale of scandal and murder provided cast, crew and audiences alike with lively conversation about the case. Many theories and unanswered questions emerged through the run of the show.

Once again, USP was pleased to mix a host of stage veterans with an exciting group of actors making their debuts on the stage of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium including Karl Deakyne, Vicki Hicks, Ashly Kocher, and Mark Schaefer. Cammie Nelson and Denise Gregory, who starred as Defense Attorney Stevens, were fresh from their USP debuts in “A Tinkerman Christmas Eve” this past December.

Attendance for “Night of January 16th” was:
Thu Mar 29: 28
Fri Mar 30: 98
Sat Mar 31: 78
Sun Apr 1: 31
Total: 235

USP now sets sight on this summer’s production of “The Jungle Book.”

Lawrence "Guts" Regan (Tom Vander Well) makes a memorable courtroom entrance and his held back by ADA Flint (Doug DeWolf) in USP's "Night of January 16th" closing Sunday afternoon Apr 1.

Union Street Players production of Ayn Rand’s “Night of January 16th” has won rave reviews from audience members in the first two performances. Great word of mouth from Thursday night’s performance resulted in ticket sales doubling for Friday night’s performance and the box office phone (641.230.1172) was ringing early on Saturday morning as ticket sales started to rise for the Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon performances.

The talented cast of actors aren’t the only ones receiving the audience’s ovation. The period costumes from the 1930s designed by Pati Van Zante along with authentic period hair styles have impressed audience members who instantly feel transported into the 1930′s New York courtroom. The set, designed by Mat Kelly, has equally helped to set the stage for an authentic feeling to the trial. Audience members feel like they are in the gallery of the courtroom themselves. During the first two performances when the court bailiff (Vicki Hicks) says “All rise,” the entire audience stood!

Each night a jury of audience members has rendered their verdict and decided the end of the play. For the sake of time, deliberations must be short, but the juries have engaged in spirited debate prior to the quick decision they must make. Theories on what really happened to Bjorn Faulkner are numerous and continued to be debated on stage, back stage and after the show is over.

Don’t miss your opportunity to see Pella’s award-winning community theatre presenting this exciting courtroom drama! The final performances will be Saturday night March 31 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon, April 1 at 2:00 p.m. The show is presented on the stage of the Joan Kuyper Farver auditorium in the Pella Community Center. Tickets may be purchased on-line (click here), by calling the USP Box Office at 641.230.1172, or by purchasing them at the door.

Cast and Crew of Union Street Players "Night of January 16th"

Union Street Players, Pella’s award-winning community theatre, will open our 25th Anniversary season with Ayn Rand’s classic courtroom drama “Night of January 16th” this weekend.

Performances are on the stage of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium in the Pella Community Center, 712 Union Street in Pella.

Thursday, March 29, at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, March 30, at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 1, at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased on-line or by calling the USP Box Office (641.230.1172).
Tickets $8 in advance for adults; $10 at the door
Tickets $6 for student with valid ID; $8 at the door
$6 balcony seats all shows all times.

Union Street Players opens our 25th Anniversary season this week with Ayn Rand’s “Night of January 16th.”  The courtroom drama presents a sensational 1936 New York City murder trial. The three act drama provides audience members with plenty of intrigue, suspense, colorful characters and scandalous testimony. The end of the play could be different each night as twelve audience members get to be the jury at each performance. The verdict can be different each night!

Doug DeWolf plays Assistant District Attorney Flint, who is prosecuting the murder case of Karen Andre (Jana DeZwarte). Andre is accused of shooting her former boss and lover and then throwing his body from the balcony of his penthouse apartment. Denise Gregory plays Andre’s defense attorney, who presents a very different explanation of the alleged events.

The People of the State of New York vs. Karen Andre will be tried Thursday, Friday and Saturday night (March 29, 30, and 31) at 7:00 with an additional trial on Sunday (Apr 1) at 2:00 p.m.!

Performances will be on the stage of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium in the Pella Community Center. Tickets can be ordered online by clicking this link or by calling the Union Street Players Box Office at 641-230-1172. Tickets are $8 in advance for adults ($10 at the door) and $6 in advance for students ($8 at the door).

Questions? Call the USP Box Office 641-230-1172 or email us at info@unionstreetplayers.com

The Committee Meeting (Jun)
How Does a Thing Like that Get Started? (Jul)
I’m Herbert (Aug)
The Breaking of Bread (Aug)
Carpool (Aug)
Willy Velvet, Homicide Detective (Aug)
Christmas Dolls (Dec)
The Mouse Who Was Stirring (Dec)

Season 2 (1989)

Where’s the Report Card? (Mar)
Never Too Late (Aug)
Polky Dot and the Christmas Wish (Dec)

Season 3 (1990)

Murder Well Rehearsed (Jul)
Harvey (Aug)
Angels, Lambs Ladybugs and Fireflies (Nov)

Season 4 (1991)

The Murder Room (May)
The Stone in the Road
Christmas Cards on Display (Dec)

Season 5 (1992)

Arsenic and Old Lace (Aug)
Christmas in Treetown (Dec)

Season 6 (1993)

First Night (May)
You Can’t Take it With You (Aug)
Reindeer on Strike (Dec)

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Something’s Afoot (Aug)
Teddy B’s Christmas Treat (Dec)

Season 8 (1995)

Greater Tuna (May)
The Man Who Came to Dinner (Aug)

Season 9 (1996)

Death Takes aHoliday (Aug)
Polky Dot and the Christmas Wish (Dec)

Season 10 (1997)

Love Letters (May)
Music Man (Aug)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Dec)

Season 11 (1998)

On Golden Pond (Feb)
Diaries of Adam and Eve (May)
Fiddler on the Roof (Jul)
A Christmas Carol (Dec)

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Little Women (Feb)
The Four Poster (May)
The Sound of Music (Jul)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Dec)

Season 13 (2000)

The Nerd (Feb)
Talley’s Folly (May)
Hello Dolly! (Jul)
Miracle on 34^th Street (Dec)

Season 14 (2001)

Steel Magnolias (Feb)
A Short Collection of Romantic Comedies (May)
A Perfect Match
Visitor from Forest Hills
I’m Herbert
Guys and Dolls (Jul)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Nov/Dec)

Season 15 (2002)

Love, Sex and the IRS (Feb)
Oklahoma! (Jul)
It’s a Wonderful Life (Dec)

Season 16 (2003)

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Nov/Dec)

Season 17 (2004)

Much Ado About Nothing (Feb)
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A Christmas Carol (Dec)

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Barefoot in the Park (Feb)
Of Wooden Shoes and Windmills (May)
The Fantasticks (Jul)
Yes, Virginia, there Really is a Santa Claus (Dec)

Season 19 (2006)

The Dominie’s Wife (May)
Our Town (Jul)
The Christmas Post (Dec)

Season 20 (2007)

Morning’s at Seven (Feb)
Tulip House (May)
The Music Man (Jul/Aug)
Pella & The City that Wasn’t There (Video)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Dec)

Season 21 (2008)

The Odd Couple (female version) (Feb)
The Pirates of Penzance (Jul/Aug)
Cheaper by the Dozen (Nov)

Season 22 (2009)

Letters from Pella (May)
Sound of Music (Aug)
Little House Christmas at Plum Creek (Dec)

Season 23 (2010)

K.O.L.D. Radio (Apr)
Charlotte’s Web (Jul)
Annie! (Dec)

Season 24 (2011)

Vintage Hitchcock (Mar)
Once Upon a Mattress (Jul)
Tinkerman’s Christmas Eve (Dec)

Season 25 (2012)

Night of January 16th (Mar/Apr)
Jungle Book (Jul)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Dec)

1. Usher. We are currently looking to fill spots for ushers on Thursday (3/29), Friday (3/30) and Saturday (3/31) nights of the production. As an usher you may be helping sell tickets at the door, taking tickets at the entrance to the auditorium, or helping audience members find their seats. For volunteering their time, ushers get to stay and watch the show free of charge.
2. Dress Rehearsal Jurors. On Monday (3/26) and Tuesday (3/27), we are looking for volunteers to be part of the jury during our final two dress rehearsals. You would need to be at the auditorium of the Pella Community Center by 7:00 p.m. on the night you choose.

Spots will be filled on first come, first served basis. Email info@unionstreetplayers.com to volunteer. Please specify what you’d like to volunteer for (Usher or Dress Rehearsal Juror) and what date!

or call the USP Box Office 641-230-1172

WE ARE NO LONGER SELLING TICKETS THROUGH THE PELLA COMMUNITY CENTER OFFICE!

Night of January 16th by Ayn Rand
Directed by Anne McCullough Kelly; Produced by Tom Vander Well

Dates & Times:
Thu Mar 29 @ 7:00 p.m.
Fri Mar 30 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sat Mar 31 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sun Apr 1 @ 2:00 p.m.

Location:

Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium in the Pella Community Center, 712 Union St., Pella, Iowa

Prices: 

Main floor:
Adults $8.00 in advance; $10 at the door
Students (with ID) $6 in advance; $8.00 at the door

Balcony:
All balcony seats are $6.00 all the time

About the show:

(Set in the mid-1930s) Bjorn Faulkner has swindled millions of dollars from investors, investing cash he did not have in order to control the gold trade.  In the wake of a crash, he is facing bankruptcy despite borrowing money from Mr. John Graham Whitfield, a prominent banker whose daughter, Nancy Lee, married Faulkner shortly after the loan.  On the night of January 16th, Faulkner and Karen Andre, his secretary and lover, are in the penthouse at the top of the Faulkner Building in New York when Faulkner falls to his death.  Shortly thereafter Karen Andre is accused of murdering him and is put on trial.  But did she kill him?  Did he commit suicide rather than face his financial troubles?  Or did someone else have a motive for ending his life?  Only YOU, the jury selected from our audience, can decide the fate of Karen Andre!  Come witness (and maybe be a part of) the trial, shift through the evidence, and render a verdict – is Karen Andre guilty or not guilty?

USP rates this show PG (mild profanity, testimony regarding violence and sexual situations)

Cast:

Karen Andre ……………………..Jana DeZwarte

District Attorney Flint…………. Doug DeWolf

Defense Attorney Stevens……… Denise Gregory

Judge Heath………… Marinus Spierenburg

Bailiff/Court Clerk………………. Vicki Hicks

Stenographer…………………….. Nancy Moreland

Dr. Kirkland……………………… Mark Moreland

Mrs. John Hutchins……………. Cyndi Atkins

Homer Van Fleet………………… Dayrel Gates

Elmer Sweeney…………………… Mark Schaefer

Jane Chandler……………………. Cammie Nelson

Magda Svenson………………….. Deb Linn

Nancy Lee Faulkner…………….. Ashly Kocher

John Graham Whitfield………… Arvin Van Zante

Siegurd Jungquist……………….. Karl Deakyne

Lawrence “Guts” Regan………… Tom Vander Well

Roberta Van Rensselaer……….. Wendy Vander Well