Jon Hassler Theater
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The Jon Hassler Theater is a professional live theater located in Plainview, Minnesota.
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[edit] History
In 1999 the International Harvester Implement building was purchased by the Rural American Arts Partnership to be come the theater itself. Back in 1985 the Lyric Theater was founded by Sally Childs who would later become the artistic director of the Jon Hassler Theater. Then in 1999 the Lyric Theater started holding shows at the Hassler and in 2000 the Lyric Theater moved it's head-quarters down to the Hassler. It is named after local author Jon Hassler.
[edit] Seasons
1999 - Old Man Brunner Country, adapted by Ron Duffy from Leo Dangel; The Staggerford Murders by Jon Hassler; both shows produced by Lyric Theater and brought to Plainview as touring productions.
2000 - Grand Opening by Jon Hassler; To Whom It May Concern by Carol Hall; On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson; Gifts of the Magi by Mark St. Germain and Randy Courts.
2001 - Old Man Brunner Country, adapted by Ron Duffy from Leo Dangel; Chin Music by John Calvin Rezmerski; Boxelder Bug Variations, adapted by Sally Childs from Bill Holm; Simon's Night by Jon Hassler; The Fantasticks by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt; Grace and Glorie by Tom Ziegler; Grand Opening by Jon Hassler.
2002 - Talley's Folly by Lanford Wilson; Dear James, adapted by Sally Childs from Jon Hassler; Honk! The Ugly Duckling Musical by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe; Morning's at Seven by Paul Osborn; How to Talk Minnesotan the Holiday Musical by Howard Mohr and Drew Jansen (co-produced by Troupe America, Inc.).
2003 - The Spitfire Grill by James Valcq and Fred Alley (co-production with Buffalo Gal); The Staggerford Murders by Jon Hassler; How to Talk Minnesotan the Summer Musical by Howard Mohr and Drew Jansen (co-produced by Troupe America, Inc.); Honk! The Ugly Duckling Musical by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry; My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra by David Grapes and Todd Olson.
2004 - Proof by David Auburn; And the World Goes 'Round: The Songs of Kander & Ebb; The Drawer Boy by Michael Healy; The West Side Waltz by Ernest Thompson; Guys on Ice: the Ice Fishing Musical by Fred Alley and James Kaplan (co-produced by Troupe America, Inc.).
2005 - The Odd Couple by Neil Simon; Seascape by Edward Albee; Bordertown Café by Kelly Rebar; Pump Boys and Dinettes by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann (co-produced with Mainstage Management.)
2006 - Trick Boxing by Brian Sostek & Megan McClellan; Rounding Third by Richard Dresser; The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown (a co-production with Nautilus Music-Theater); Rookery Blues by Jon Hassler (adapted for stage by Sally Child); Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol by Tom Mula (the one man version); The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh.
2007 - Grand Opening by Jon Hassler (adapted for stage by Sally Childs); Mercy of a Storm by Jeffrey Hatcher; Tuesdays with Morrie by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom; Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol by Tom Mula (the four person version).
[edit] Staff
**As of 2006
Carter Martin - General Manager
Dean Harrington - C.F.O.
Sally Harrington - House Manager
N/A - Technical Director
Mike Carter - Technician
Previous staff members and other important people of the Hassler Theater include: Clark Cruikshank; Sam Goerss; Ben Hain; Sally Childs; Paul Epton; Paul Skattum; Erica Zaffarano; Mike Nadolske; Maria Cruikshank, Alva Crom; Sunny Hartert and Ian Norregarrd; Tim and Gina, and Taylor Craine.
[edit] Words and Afterwords
In 2006 the Jon Hassler Theater opened up a book store in the lobby of the theater call Word and Afterwords. The majority of the books were donated by Emilio DeGrazia, a published author and professor emeritus from Winona State University.
[edit] High School Show
As of 2003 the Hassler has collaborated with the Plainview High School to put on the school's yearly show. From 2003 to 2006 Sally Childs directed these shows. In 2007 the show was directed by English teacher Tracy Moran due to Sally having previous engagements. This also marked the changing of the technicians for the show. Lighting director/designer Ben Hain, and set designer/builder Erica Zaffarano had had moved on to other theaters and were replaced by Mike Carter and Ian Norregaard. This follows the changes in the theater's management. The high school has put on a variety of shows.
2003 - The Miracle Worker 2004 - The Rememberer 2005 - You're A Good Man Charlie Brown 2006 - Little Women 2007 - The Curious Savage
[edit] The Hassler House
In 2004 Jon Hassler's 2nd child hood home in Plainview was moved onto the same block as the Hassler Theater. It was restored and refurnished. It is now used to hold meetings for the Hassler Theater's Writers Center and to house actors during the runs of shows.
[edit] Trivia
Louie Anderson performed at the Hassler in 2005.
The theater seats 223 patrons.
The ticket and refreshment counters are set pieces from previous shows.
With the exception of one house, the Hassler's property takes up an entire quarter of a block.
The Hassler is a member of the Rural American Arts Partnership (RAAP) along with the Writers Center and the Plainview Area History Center, which is actually a refurbished church.
The show times are as follows: Thursdays - 1:30p.m.*Thursday matinees are subject to change and are not held every Thursdays* & 7:30p.m. Fridays - 8:00p.m. Saturdays - 8:00p.m. Sundays - 2:00p.m.
Standard ticket prices are $20 for General Admission, $19 for Mayo Clinic $18 for Seniors (62+), $17 for Red Hat Groups, and $12 for Students and Children
The first Friday night shows of each show cost $12 for every one and all Thursday evening shows are $12 for everyone. More information on prices and be obtained by calling the Jon Hassler Theater directly. The number can be found on their website.
