OPENING THIS MONTH...

BOX OFFICE OPENS TODAY FOR SUBSCRIBERS!

by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashak
August 21–September 27, 2009
Box office opens to subscribers August 4
Box office opens to the public August 11

Quilters celebrates the women of the prairie in the late 19th Century and the place that quilting holds in American society. The storyline focuses on a woman who is working on a quilt to pass on to her daughters. Each pattern and scrap of fabric contains a piece of the family’s history. Music, dance, and drama depict the lot of women on the frontier: girlhood, marriage, childbirth, spinsterhood, twisters, fire, illness, and death. But with this, there is also love, warmth, rich and lively humor, and the poignant spectacle of simple human dignity and steadfastness in the face of adversity. In the end, when the various patches are assembled into one glorious, brilliantly colorful quilt, the effect is breathtaking and magical. The play in and of itself is a quilt: a tender and moving series of snapshots of the lives of American women.

Susan Baer Collins directs. Music director is John J. Bennett and Kathy Wheeldon is choreographer. Stage Manager is Steve Priesman. Quilting Advisor is Judie Zinn. The cast includes Laura Beeghly, Bailey Carlson, Jennifer Gilg, Kim Jubenville, Connie Lee, Emily Neve, Sally Neumann Scamfer, Jodi A. Vaccaro, and Suzanne Withem. Members of the Omaha Quilters Guild & Cottonwood Quilt Guild have provided valuable assistance in the preparation and presentation of this show.

Sponsored by: Ron and Teri Quinn

Orchestra sponsored by: BERNINA Sewing Centers–Omaha, NE

FEATURED STORIES...

QUILTERS
A Piece of Playhouse History
by Susan Baer Collins, Director

The musical drama Quilters will open the Omaha Playhouse’s exciting 85th Season on Friday, August 21st.   It has been twenty years since it was first seen on the Howard Drew Theatre stage in the spring of 1987.  Back then, I was cast as one of the 9 women in the show and thus began a long and loving association with this theatre piece and the many amazing people and experiences that surround it.

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• Advance Box Office Opening:  Exclusive pre-sale opportunities to ensure priority seating for regular season productions and select special events.
• Guaranteed Seating: Never hear the words "SOLD OUT."
• Discounts: Save on A Christmas Carol tickets so you can invite family & friends.  Receive discounts on education classes for adults and children.  Save on space rentals for your special events. 
• Special Offers: Businesses participating in the new Playhouse Rewards Program offer great deals to save you money. 
• Special Gift:  A limited edition wall calendar will be sent to our subscribers to commemorate our 85th Anniversary.   

The 2009-2010 Season may be viewed here.  A variety of season packages are available to save you money from the single ticket prices. 

Subscribe today and be a part of our 85th Anniversary!

85th Anniversary Season Door Prizes!
Thanks to some wonderful donors, the Omaha Community Playhouse will be giving away door prizes in conjunction with each of our 85th Anniversary Season productions. We’re excited by this opportunity to celebrate with all our loyal patrons – thank you for your support over the past 85 years!

The Bob and Janice Batt “Economic Stimulus”
Quilters Door Prize Giveaway
Omaha Community Playhouse supporters Bob and Janice Batt have generously provided funding for our Quilters Door Prize Giveaway (among others). The following prizes will be given away:

• One, $500 gift certificate to Parsow’s Fashions for Men & Women
• One, $100 gift certificate to Jams Grill & Bar
• One, $100 gift certificate to the Omaha Community Playhouse

In addition to acting as an incentive to see Playhouse productions, this generous donation helps support local merchants. This is a great example of how individuals can support the arts and businesses in Omaha, making our community better for everyone.

Help us spread the word about this exciting promotion - anyone who attends Quilters can enter for a chance to win.* Check out the display in the lobby during the show’s run for more information and stay tuned for future announcements on other 85th Anniversary Season Door Prizes!

*Omaha Community Playhouse staff and board members excluded.

Limited Edition 85th Season Calendars
Our season subscribers are receiving a special gift this season.  To commemorate our 85th Anniversary season, we have created a limited edition wall calendar.  It includes beautiful production photos, important dates and upcoming events.  We know you will love it!  Additional copies of our limited edition 85th Anniversary wall calendar are available for $5.00.  Please contact the box office at 553-0800 to order over the phone (postage fees will apply), or stop by the box office to purchase in person

EDUCATION...

NEW EDUCATION EVENTS FOR 2009
Looking for opportunities for your child that have built-in “perks” for you? 
Look no further!

PLAY / DATE
Would you like to enjoy an afternoon of theatre but are tired of hiring sitters for the kids?  Bring them with you!  Introducing “Play / Date” – a chance for parents to enjoy a “date” at the Playhouse while kids get to “play” downstairs in acting, dance, or craft workshops during the show! 

Fall 2009 Productions/Dates:

• Quilters
  Sunday, September 27th, 1:30-4:30 pm
  Age groups: 4-6 years and 7-10 years
  Cost per child: $20
• Almost, Maine
  Sunday, October 25th, 1:30-4:30 pm
  Age groups: 4-6 years and 7-10 years
  Cost per child: $20

Please register your child at least 48 hours in advance.  Minimum of eight registrations required per age group for workshops to take place.  Maximum of 20 per age group.  Registrations accepted on a first come, first served basis.  Parents will be notified 48 hours in advance if there are not enough registrations for workshops to take place. 

Click HERE for more information!

IN-SERVICE PLAY DAYS AT THE PLAYHOUSE 
Tired of figuring out what to do with your child when they’re out of school, but you’re at work?  Send them to us!  Kids get a chance to spend the day at the Playhouse participating in acting workshops, improv games, building tours, technical theatre demonstrations, and more!  

Fall 2009 Play Days:

• Monday, September 28th, 8:00 am-3:00 pm
  (OPS, Papillion, Ralston in-service)
  Age groups:  7-10 years and 11-13 years
  Cost per child: $50
• Friday, October 16th, 8:00 am-3:00 pm
  (Bellevue, Council Bluffs, Millard, Westside in-service)
  Age groups:  7-10 years and 11-13 years
  Cost per child: $50  

Please register your child at least one week in advance.  Minimum of 10 registrations required per age group for workshops to take place.  Maximum of 25 per age group.  Registrations accepted on a first come, first served basis.  Parents will be notified five days in advance if there are not enough registrations for workshops to take place.  Click HERE for more information!

Important Dates...

• August 4 - Subscriber Box Office Opens, Quilters
• August 11 - Public Box Office Opens, Quilters
• August 21 - Quilters Opens
• August 29 - Touring Christmas Carol children auditions
• August 31, September 1 - Almost Maine Auditions
• September 4 - Curtain Club Party, Quilters
• September 4 - Talk Back, Quilters