Starmites is a delightfully over the top sci-fi 80’s rock musical that uses a fantasy world to drive home poignant lessons about the awkwardness of growing up when you don’t quite fit in.
Outsider, Eleanor Fairchild has built an imaginary world around the sci-fi comic books she collects. On the same day her Mom convinces her to give up her fantasy of becoming a superhero, Eleanor instead finds herself mysteriously thrust into the world of her favorite comic book, Starmites. She lands in the middle of the battle between evil villain Shak Graa, and the Starmites, guardians of Inner Space. She and the Starmites team up on a quest to keep power out of Shak Graa’s greedy hands.
Along the way they meet a colorful assortment of Bowie-esque villains including the flamboyant Diva, Queen of Inner Space and her Banshee warriors – Destiny’s Childish sirens.
Starmites’ music and lyrics are by Barry Keating. It was first presented in 1980. It opened off-Broadway in 1987 and on-Broadway on April 27, 1989, where it ran for 60 performances. It received six Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical.
According to the Starmites website:
With the timeless appeal of THE WIZARD OF OZ and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, yet unique, STARMITES is exciting, touching, and great fun for the entire family.
Show Dates:
With multiple show dates you can pick the day and time that best fits your busy schedule:
Announcing auditions for the MVLCT Fall Show Starmites
When
Sunday, August 5th at 7pm
Monday, August 6th at 7pm
Where
Uptown Theatre in the First Street Community Center
How
Prepare a minute of any song, to be sang acapella or bring a karaoke track if you want! This show is silly and over the top (think comic book come to life), so be ready to have fun! All casting is extremely flexible. See a part you’d like to play? Show us what you got! Can’t make it to auditions? Email [email protected] to set something up!
About the Show
Starmites Written By: Barry Keating and Stuart Ross (Forever Plaid) Directed By: Joseph Williams Music Director: Rebecca Fields-Moffitt Show dates: Oct. 5 – 7th, 12th – 14th
Starmites, a delightfully over the top sci-fi 80’s rock musical, uses a fantasy world to drive home sweet and poignant lessons about the awkwardness of growing up when you don’t quite fit in. Outsider, Eleanor Fairchild has built a an imaginary world around the sci-fi comic books she collects. On the same day her Mom convinces her to give up her fantasy of becoming a superhero, Eleanor instead finds herself mysteriously thrust into the world of her favorite comic book, Starmites. She lands in the middle of the battle between evil villain Shak Graa, and the Starmites, guardians of Inner Space. She and the Starmites team up on a quest to keep power out of Shak Graa’s greedy hands. Along the way they meet a colorful assortment of Bowie-esque villains including the flamboyant Diva, Queen of Inner Space and her Banshee warriors – Destiny’s Childish sirens.
Character Breakdown
On Earth: Eleanor Fairchild: An outsider who escapes the cruelty of high school by losing herself in the world of her favorite comic book heroes, the Starmites. She dreams of one day becoming a super hero herself. (Also plays Milady and Bizarabra – Must be able to distinguish between all three characters.) Think: Sarah from The Labyrinth mixed with Max from Stranger Things
Gender: Female
Age: 18 – 35
Scripted Vocal Range: Mezzo Soprano
Eleanor’s Mother: An unassuming woman who loves her daughter and awaits the day when she will grow out of her comic book craze. (Also plays Diva.)
Gender: Female or Male (plays female)
Age: 30+
In Inner Space: Milady: Eleanor’s confident, self possessed alter ego and superhero of Innerspace. This girl could rule the universe, she just doesn’t know it yet. (Also plays Eleanor and Bizarabra). Think: Eleven from Stranger Things
Gender: Female
Age: 18 – 35
The Starmites: The over the top main characters of Eleanor’s favorite comic books. A band of space youths dedicated to fighting the deadly forces of the Universe. They include:
Space Punk: The hero, captain of the Starmites, and the heart throb of the Universe. He’s an 80’s heart throb, but totally a feminist. (Think: A cross between Steve Harrington from Stranger Things and David Bowie).
Gender: Male
Age: 18 – 35
S’up S’up Sensaboi: The organized and methodical member of the group. He/she plays by the rules.
Gender: Male or Female
Age: Any age
Digetty Razzledazzle: The bumbling show-off of the group. Openly expresses his/her feelings. Raps Hamilton style.
Gender: Male or Female
Age: Any age
Ack Ack Hackerax: The tough one. He/she is second in command.
Gender: Male or Female
Age: Any age
Shak Graa: Flamboyantly fabulous High Priest Of Chaos, determined to destroy both Earth and Innerspace. (Also plays Trinkulus)
Gender: Male or Female
Age: Any Age
Trinkulus: A reptilian minstrel, once slave to Shak Graa now serving as guide to the Starmites. (Also plays Shak Graa)
Gender: Male or Female
Age: Any Age
Diva: Imposing and powerful Queen of Innerspace (the name says it all), but also a loving and worried mother of Bizarbra. Think: Tina Turner combined with Winnie from ‘Hocus Pocus.’ (Also plays Eleanor’s Mother.)
Gender: Male or Female (will play female)
Age: 30+
Bizarbara: Awkward and shy daughter of Diva and the mirror opposite of Eleanor, she spends her days getting lost in comic books about earth and day dreaming of leading an ordinary life. (Also plays Eleanor and Milady).
Gender: Female
Age: 18+
The Banshees: These ladies are the Destiny’s Child of Inner Space and henchmen to Diva. Together they rock one of the most epic songs of the show, Ravenous. All Banshees will have lines/solo if the choose. (Think: The Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus).
Gender: Any
Age: Any
Shotzi: Diva’s sergeant of arms. Balbraka: She delights in terrorizing the Starmites. Canibelle: She delights in devouring the Starmites. Maligna: She delights in torturing the Starmites.
For more information on this and all of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre productions click on their logo below:
What do voodooism, prohibition, boxing, and plenty of blues music have in common?
Come on down to Mount Vernon and find out with this summer’s production of Julius Caesar. Set in the Mississippi Delta in the summer of 1931, this new take on an old classic blends Marie Laveau’s Voodoo Queen’s spiritualism with the Chicago Mob’s mentality to create a production unlike any you’ve seen before.
William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar tells the tale of power and corruption at the hands of supposed leaders. As Julius Caesar prepares to take the throne, a group of conspirators plot to overthrow this potential dictator in order to preserve the Republic. As the show progresses the limits of power, the strength of brotherhood, and the quest for vengeance are all tested.
Show Dates & Times
Friday, July 20th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 21st at 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 22nd at 2pm
Friday, July 27th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 28th at 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 29th at 2 pm
Cost
Seats vary from $12 – $15
The Cast
Come and show your support for the cast of the 2018 production of Julius Caesar:
Brutus – Nicole Klostermann
Cassius – Taylor Sedlecek
Antony – Stacey Jaegar
Casca – John Hill
Caesar – Scott Humeston
Octavius – Jasper Rood
Lucius – Sophia Andrews
Soothsayer – Quinnie Rodman
Decius/Messala – Logan Natvig
Cinna/Titinius & Others – Zach Vig
Portia/Pindarus & Others – Eva Giacomo
Calpurnia & Others – Lisa Smith
Metellus/Lucilius & Others – Mary Blacharski
Trebonius/Clitus & Others – Garrett Herring
Artemidorus/Servant & Others – Lynaea Kiefer
Cicero/Cinna the Poet & Others – Steve Weiss
This is a Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre production
We are thrilled to have a live performance by award winning guitarist, singer and songwriter Phil Heywood on Saturday, June 9, 2018. The show starts at 7:30 pm with doors opening at 7:15 pm.
Phil Heywood plays fingerstyle guitar with a bluesy swing and a bucketful of whatever it takes to turn an instrumental piece into an arresting lyrical narrative. His lucid playing encompasses the down-home rhythmic groove of a Mississippi John Hurt or Leadbelly, and the sheer fluidity and melodic flair of such contemporaries as Leo Kottke.
The internationally renowned Kottke handpicked Mr. Heywood to tour and perform duets with him. A soul-satisfying instrumentalist, Phil Heywood draws listeners in with his voice as well, singing in a warm, plainspoken baritone that blends smoothly with his rock-solid guitar work.
Recently Dave Moore and Phil Heywood have been sharing stages, trading songs and embroidering rich instrumental accompaniment on each other’s songs and melodies.
While born and bred in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Mr. Heywood has been based in Minneapolis-St. Paul since the mid-eighties, performing locally and regionally while also establishing himself in the greater guitar and acoustic music world.
In 1986 he won the National Fingerpicking Championship, and followed up a year later by winning the American Fingerstyle Guitar Festival Competition.
Phil has played on NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion with guitar legend Chet Atkins, performed with fellow acoustic guitar luminaries Peter Lang, Pat Donohue, Tim Sparks, and Dakota Dave Hull, and opened shows for such artists as Norman Blake, Greg Brown, John Renbourn, Chris Smither, and John Hammond.
Phil Heywood has recorded six CDs: Some Summer Day (1990), Local Joe (1996), Circle Tour (2000), Banks of the River (2003), You Got To Move (2008), and Rollin’ On (2014). What one inspired critic wrote of Local Joe applies equally to each of Phil’s CDs: “Acoustic guitar fans should consider this recording a must have… Heywood gives us all something to enjoy for a long time.” (Music Reviews Quarterly)
Mr. Heywood will be available for phone interviews and other press inquiries in advance of the show by calling or texting Nancy Emrich Freeman at 847-256-0000.
Tickets
Advance tickets can be purchased locally at Bauman’s and Helios, or online via Brown Paper Tickets.
Bauman’s of Mount Vernon is located at 124 1st Street SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. You can call them for info and to reserve tickets at (319) 895-8692.
Helios Stitches ‘n Stuff is located at 221 1st Street NE, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. You can call them for info and to reserve tickets at (319) 512-3323.
Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
COST: $5 Students / $20 General Admission / $50 VIP Seating
This will be an intimate concert in a relaxed setting. Bring your own beverages into the theatre with the purchase of a reusable Uptown Theatre Sippy Cup ($5).
You can also reserve an early dinner before the concert at the Palisades Café, mention LilFest, and receive the evening’s LilFest special.
