Dr. Evil and the Basket of Kittesn

LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS

JUNE 14–23, 2019

Youth—Theatre G

Evil has never been so adorable.

Three summer camps to choose from!

We’ve ramped up our summer theatre camps and they’re more fun
than ever! Join us as we create original pieces, explore the depths

of our imaginations, and perform a beloved musical!

Musical Theatre Camp Presents

July 22-August 2, 2019

**Age 12–18
Break the status quo this summer and take
part in a smash hit musical! This intensive,

two-week camp will immerse campers
in musical theatre. Campers will gain
experience in auditioning, rehearsing, and

performing a Broadway classic.
**Age range extended! Payment plans are available;
please contact the box office for more information.

Imagination, Go!

July 29-August 2, 2019

Ages 5–7
Let us introduce your child to all things
theatre! This half-day camp is designed
for the youngest pretenders. Using games,
crafts, and stories, campers will learn how
to create an original piece or add onto a

favorite tale!

Showtime!

August 5-9, 2019

Ages 8–13
Showtime! is currently sold out. Please contact

the box office to be added to the wait list.

TUITION: $80–$300
Register now, space is limited.

608-784-9292 | www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org
Weber Center for the Performing Arts, 428 Front Street South, La Crosse

La Crosse Community Theatre presents

DR. EVIL AND THE
BASKET OF KITTENS

By

BRIAN D. TAYLOR

Director

STACY BRUEMMER

Set Designer Costume Designer

KELSEY TAUNT KRISSA VALENTINE-HARNISH

Lighting Designer Props Master

PETE SUARDI JOSH KAISER

Sound Designer Technical Director

REILLY SULLIVAN PETE SUARDI

Stage Managers

GRACE STABLIER and ALEX YEITER

Assistant Stage Manager

KAARINA DUNN

DR. EVIL AND THE BASKET OF KITTENS

is produced by special arrangement with
Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Engelwood, Colorado

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this
production is strictly prohibited.

Special Acknowledgments

Thank you to all who made this production possible, including Theresa Smerud for photography.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER!

Visit us online for more information: www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org/volunteer
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Director’s Note

LCT’s 55th Season “Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world
392nd Production through the eyes of a child.”–Ron Wild
Being a part of this cast has been an absolute
pleasure! From the auditions through to tech week,
these kids have been fantastic. There’s been lots of
energy, good ideas, and fun. Thanks Moms and Dads
for letting them come and play.
Stacy Bruemmer
Director

Cast

Mary Shelley......................................Lilly Picha Pierce........................................ Ben Parmeter*
Dr. Frankenstein............................... Jake Kaiser Mummy..................................... Grace Kearney
Frank Jr./Weather Reporter.............. Ivy Engen* Annie Were..................Beatrice Nerud-Sersch*
Shirley...............................Julianna Bruemmer Lord Warhammer......................Holden Grover*
Inferna.......................................... Grace Olson* Archduchess Arsenica............... Chelsey Peters*
Margo.......................................Georgia Galvan Prince Vladi....................................Blake Bilyeu
Unna Were.............................. Cooper Koepke* Momma Cher Were.....................Anya Westrich
Sylva Were................................. Riley Hatlevig* Pappa Tuppa Were.....................Donavin Wylie*
Dr. Evil............................................. Avie Nelson Mother.......................................Nora Erickson*
Countess Gothma..........................Ella Madsen* Child........................................Katherine Dahl*

* = LCT debut

Production and Design Staff

Director.................................. Stacy Bruemmer Stage Managers..... Grace Stablier, Alex Yeiter
Set Designer.................................. Kelsey Taunt Assistant Stage Manager............. Kaarina Dunn
Costume Designer....Krissa Valentine-Harnish Set Construction..........................Dawn Havican
Lighting Designer............................ Pete Suardi Scenic Painter............................Sharon Markee
Props Master.................................... Josh Kaiser Crew.......... Evangeline Galvan, Emma Lieser,
Sound Designer...........................Reilly Sullivan ..................................................Cecilia Manson
Technical Director............................ Pete Suardi

Dr. Evil and the Basket of Kittens

SETTING
Dr Evil’s laboratory and Countess Gothma’s residence.

A Tuesday in October in a year past.
p. 4

LCT Staff & Board

STAFF MEMBERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Producing Artistic Director. . . . . . . . Grant Golson President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan McDonald-Conroy
Production Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Harris President-Elect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bradley Weber
Marketing Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessi Davidson Second Vice-President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Isaacs
Patron Services Manager. . . . . . Mary Cate Cichock Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patricia Sprang
Bookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Hofer Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA
Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dominique Luecke Past President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wayne Oliver
Education Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacy Bruemmer
Front of House Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kallen Deckert Sara Battison, Mike Herro, Tamera Hill,
Bill Koutsky, Brady Lowe, Kelley Manson,
. . . . . Lisa Keyser, Beth Moratto, Sharon Dawidowski
Brian K. Murphy, Randy Nelson,
Joan Temple, Kathy Van Kirk-Przywojski

LCT’s Mission

La Crosse Community Theatre creates productions and projects that enhance the theatrical literacy of our audience
members, volunteers, students, and staff. We provide opportunities for creativity and personal growth in a fun,
collaborative environment. As a community, we celebrate human connections through communication and interaction.

Wild and
neglected, all it
needs is her to
come wake it up.

SEPTEMBER 6–22, 2019

Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

TICKETS $26–$34
Tickets available through the box office or online August 12.

608-784-9292 | www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org
Weber Center for the Performing Arts, 428 Front Street South, La Crosse

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Cast Biographies

BLAKE BILYEU (Prince Vladi) is NORA ERICKSON* (Mother) is very
happy to be back at LCT! He was last happy to be in Dr. Evil and the Basket
seen in LCT’s production of Aladdin of Kittens. She is a seventh grader at
Jr. (Narrator). He’s also been in the Lincoln Middle School, where she
School District of La Crosse’s produc- performs in choir, show choir, band,
tions of Aida and Murder at the Malt Shop (Russel). He and many theatrical productions. She is also a dog
is a sophomore at Logan High School and thanks his lover. Nora would like to thank her family and friends
friends and family for their constant support. Enjoy for being supportive.
the show! GEORGIA GALVAN (Margo) is
JULIANNA BRUEMMER (Shirley) hyped to be in this play. She goes to
is super excited to be on the Lyche Lincoln Middle School. Some of her
Stage again this summer! Theatre for favorite plays that she has been in are
Youth audiences might remember Suessical (JoJo) and Ramona Quimby
her from Tales of a Fourth Grade (Ramona). She wants to thank her family for support-
Nothing (Mrs. Munch), Aladdin Jr. (Narrator 1), or ing her and this show. Georgia hopes you enjoy this
Ramona Quimby (Aunt Bea). Julianna loves seeing“old production.
friends”and meeting new people here at LCT. She has HOLDEN GROVER* (Lord Warham-
just finished up her sophomore year at Logan High mer) Even though this is Holden’s first
School and is looking forward to the adventures of performance with LCT, he has always
her junior year! She would like to thank: Mom,”for the loved to act. He’s been onstage in
opportunity”, Blake“for being so awesome!”, and Mac Pinocchio and Trouble in Rhymopolis
“for not spoiling Endgame”. Thank you for supporting and really enjoyed LCT’s acting classes. Besides acting
the arts and enjoy! Holden loves Parkour, Pokemon, School Yugioh, and
KATHERINE DAHL* (Child) is excited his family.
to make her LCT debut! Dr. Evil and the RILEY HATLEVIG* (Sylva Were) is a
Basket of Kittens is her first experience third grader at Emerson Elementary.
acting in a production. She loves He likes riding his bike, playing Legos,
to write, read mystery books, and and watching movies, especially
aspires to be an author when she grows up. Katherine Marvel movies. He also has his own
enjoys making new friends and she loves God. She YouTube Channel—New England Riley.
thanks her Mom, Dad, and her sister, Lauren, for JAKE KAISER (Dr. Frankenstein) is
always loving and supporting her. pleased to be returning for his sixth
IVY ENGEN* (Frank Jr./Weather show at LCT. He was last seen at LCT
Reporter) is 13 years old and goes as Aladdin in Aladdin Jr. He was last
to West Salem Middle School. This is seen on the stage as The Man in the
her first LCT production, but she has Yellow Suit in Aquinas High School’s production of
done some school productions in the Tuck Everlasting. Jake would like to thank Stacy for
choir. Ivy loves musical theatre, but is just getting into giving him this opportunity. He would also like to
dance. thank Madelyn, Sophie, Peggy, Mom, and Dad.

* = LCT debut
p. 6

and

PRESENT

A singing competition to uncover the
best vocalist in the 7 Rivers Region.

La Crosse Community Theatre is thrilled to once again partner with
The Salvation Army of La Crosse County for Raise Your Mic!—a singing
competition to uncover the ‘best vocalist in the 7 Rivers Region’. The winner
will be determined by a panel of local celebrity judges and your vote.
The fundraising event will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2019

at Weber Center for the Performing Arts. All dollars raised from the
event will benefit the day-to-day operations of The Salvation Army and

La Crosse Community Theatre’s education program.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Weber Center for the Performing Arts

SPONSORED BY

John & Linda
Lyche

Cast Biographies

GRACE KEARNEY (Mummy) is BEATRICE NERUD-SERSCH* (An-
thrilled to perform on the LCT stage nie Were) loves cats and dogs. Her
once again. You may have seen her favorite food is sushi and her favorite
here in Aladdin Jr. or Ramona Quimby. color is purple. She loves participating
She has also been in Godspell and in theatre, so far.
Pride and Prejudice, among other shows at Aquinas
High School. She will be entering her junior year this GRACE OLSON* (Inferna) is very
fall as Lady Catherine in Camelot. She is thrilled to excited to be in her first production
share the stage with her LCT family and thanks her a LCT. This is her first production in
actual family for putting up with her theatre obses- seven years. Theatre has always been
sion. To quote Stacy,“We don’t have time, but we’re something she wanted to do and,
doing it anyway.” audition after audition, she was able start her theatre
COOPER KOEPKE* (Unna Were) journey. She is so grateful for those who helped her
has been in two plays previously: A get into theatre and took her to practice. Last but not
Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim) at UW-L least, she hopes you enjoy the evil side.
and Robin Hood (Horseman) at
Viterbo University. He has performed theatre. BEN PARMETER* (Pierce) is excited
with Ben, Georgia, and Ari, and is friends with Riley. to be doing his first show onstage at
Cooper has enjoyed theatre along the way. He goes LCT. Ben was in the crew for Ramona
to Emerson Elementary and is in third grade. He’d like Quimby. He has an awesome sense
to thank Stacy, Mary, and his family for their support. of humor and is always happy to do
Enjoy the show!
ELLA MADSEN* (Countess Gothma) CHELSEY PETERS* (Archduchess
While this is Ella’s first show at LCT, Arsenica) is very excited for her first
she is an active participant in the show at LCT! A few of her past pro-
acting troupe,“6 Degrees,”at school. ductions include The Little Mermaid,
There she has played many roles in Oliver!, and Grease. In the odd chance
different skits, her favorite being Unsteady. When Ella that she has free time, she enjoys dancing and playing
is not onstage she is running at track meets, painting guitar. She would like to thank her family for their
canvases, and cooking dinner with her mom. Ella is support, and the cast and crew for making this show
glad to be back onstage having fun with Dr. Evil and possible. She would also like to thank the cast for
the Basket of Kittens. making her feel welcome.
AVIE NELSON (Dr. Evil) is thrilled to
be in another production at LCT. She LILLY PICHA (Mary Shelley) Lilly’s
was recently seen in Wait Until Dark love of performance started in her
(Gloria) and a while back in Tales of a living room at the young age of three
Fourth Grade Nothing (Jennie). Avie when she began singing and dancing
just finished seventh grade at Aquinas Middle School. for her family. Her career quickly
When not acting she is making music, playing tennis, blossomed as she was cast in the ensemble of LCT’s
or hanging with friends. She would like to thank her production of A Christmas Story. A few months later,
best friend and her sister for supporting her. She she landed her first titled role as“Fork #4”in Beauty
would also like to thank her parents for all of their and the Beast Jr. She is“over the moon”excited to per-
love and for the rides. She hopes you enjoy the show. form as Mary Shelley for you tonight. Enjoy the show!

* = LCT debut

p. 8

Cast Biographies

ANYA WESTRICH (Momma Cher DONAVIN WYLIE* (Pappa Tupper
Were) is so excited to be in another Were) When not doing theatre,
LCT production. This is Anya’s fifth Donavin loves wrestling and lifting.
show; her favorite was when she
played Beezus in Ramona Quimby.
When she is not acting, you’ll find her figure skating,
baking, or reading a good book. Anya is a sixth grader
at Lincoln Middle school. She loves acting and is
excited for you to see the final product of the play.

Introducing The Penguin Project at LCT!

SPONSORED BY:

WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM:

Empowering children with special needs through theatre.

What is The Penguin Project?
The Penguin Project was created by Dr. Andrew Morgan and provides children with
special needs an opportunity to develop creative skills, partner and network with
others, and participate in a fully realized musical production.
The Artists, who are children with special needs, will take the stage to perform
a modified version of a well-known Broadway musical. Rather than auditions, a
screening process based on interest, general abilities, and communication skills will
be used to select the cast. All Artists will sing, dance, and act in the show. The Artists
will get on-stage assistance from their Mentor.

What is the show?
The 2019–2020 season show will be Annie Jr. Performances are October 11–13, 2019
in the Lyche Theatre at Weber Center for the Performing Arts.

608-784-9292 • [email protected]
www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org/programs/the-penguin-project

p. 9

Production & Design Staff Biographies

STACY BRUEMMER (Director) University (Scene Shop Foreman). Most importantly, to
has been involved with children in his son, Michael,“if you find this in a shoebox one day,
some way, shape, or form for more know that you mean the world to me and I love you.”
than 20 years. She has been a part
of children’s productions in Denver, JOSH KAISER (Props Master) just fin-
CO, Lanesboro, MN, as well as in La Crosse. Stacy has ished his sophomore year at Aquinas
worked in the Early Childhood Education field for High School and recently lived out his
nearly 21 years and has two children of her own. onstage dream of playing a Newsie
Currently, Stacy coordinates the Theatre Education here at LCT. Other LCT performances
program at LCT and has directed the Theatre for include Uncle Hobart in Ramona Quimby and Youth SS
Young Audiences production the last two years. Stacy in And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World
is in charge of summer camps at LCT, and she has of Anne Frank. Josh would like to thank Greg, Mom,
also been the“token adult”for the Theatre for Youth and Dad!
production since 2014. To say Stacy enjoys being REILLY SULLIVAN (Sound Designer)
around kids would be a great understatement! She is going to be a senior at Onalaska
is excited and honored to be directing Dr. Evil and the High School and is really excited to
Basket of Kittens. be doing his first sound design. You
KELSEY TAUNT (Set Designer) A La may have previously seen him in Billy
Crosse native, Kelsey works in the Elliot, And Then They Came for Me, and Aladdin Jr. Cats
area as a theatrical designer, techni- are his favorite animal, so he’s very happy to be a part
cian, teacher, and director. She is very of the show.
happy to be back at LCT for Dr. Evil GRACE STABLIER (Stage Manager) is
and the Basket of Kittens. She would like to thank her in her second play and sometimes feels
family and friends for all of their love and support, as like she still barely knows what she’s
well as the cast and crew for being so great to work doing. But she continues to show up to
with. Enjoy the show! rehearsals and aimlessly call out lines!
KRISSA VALENTINE-HARNISH She’s always excited to be at LCT and is ready to rumble
(Costume Designer) is a freelance with whatever is given to her creative abilities.
artist and photographer who has
appeared onstage and offstage in
many local theatre productions. Most
recently, she directed Appleseed Community Theatre’s
production of Pinkalicious. She resides in La Crosse
with her husband and two sons.

PETE SUARDI (Lighting Designer/
Technical Director) is the newest
member of the LCT family. Mr. Suardi
has been working in technical theatre
since 2004, and previously worked
for The Utah Shakespeare Festival (Scenery Materials
Coordinator), Great River Shakespeare Festival (Asst.
Technical Director/Company Manager), University of
Nevada Las Vegas (Master Carpenter), and Viterbo

p. 10

Production & Design Staff Biographies

ALEX YEITER (Stage Manager) KAARINA DUNN (Assistant Stage
recently graduated from La Crescent Manager) is very excited to be a part
High School and will be attending of her first LCT production. She has
the University of Wisconsin - Stevens been in one play in the past, Annie
Point for Theatre Design and Technol- Jr. She also enjoys violin, singing,
ogy. He has done many shows at LCT and other local logrolling, basketball, volleyball, skiing (both types),
theaters. He is happy to have the opportunity to do and baking.
another youth production with LCT. Enjoy the show!

Mark your calendar for 2019–2020 youth shows!

OCTOBER 11–13, 2019
Tickets: $12 • Available Sept. 16, 2019

Bet your bottom dollar that the
sun will come out TOMORROW!

NOVEMBER 9–17, 2019
Tickets: $10 • Available Oct. 14, 2019
The Great Brothers Grimm
weave a tapestry of tales.

JUNE 19–28, 2020

Tickets: $12 • Available May 26, 2020

The cold never bothered her anyway.

Tickets available through the box office or online.

608-784-9292 | www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org
Weber Center for the Performing Arts, 428 Front Street South, La Crosse

Weber Center Staff & Board

STAFF MEMBERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dillon McArdle President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Ranscht
Bookkeeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Hofer Vice-President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Battison
Graphic Design & Marketing Coordinator. . . Tegan Blank Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grant Golson
Concessions Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . Cassie Frerks, Cassie George, Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Timothy B. Schorr
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Hamilton, Molly Hinkle Anderson,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan Krocker, Janet Loeffler, Brittany Schilla David Amborn, Dick Spencer, Glena Temple

p. 11

Our 56th season is
just around the corner!