OTTER TALES: THE MUSICAL!
An Original Musical to be Performed by an all local cast in Pelican Rapids, Perham, Parkers Prairie and Battle Lake to Celebrate of 150 years of Otter Tail County
On September 14-16, Otter Tail County will celebrate its sesquicentennial with an original musical sharing stories of the past, present and future of the county. “Otter Tales: The Sing-Along, Moving, Musical Puppet Show” is a one-of a kind production that moves from site to site with stories, song and dance. This FREE, family-friendly experience will be performed in four different communities (Battle Lake, Perham, Pelican Rapids, and Parkers Prairie) and will celebrate stories from around the entire county. For more information visit: OtterTail150.com
PERFORMANCE DATES, TIMES & LOCATIONS
- Friday, September 14 at 6:30pm in Battle Lake; Begin at Railroad Park (Hwy 78 & County Rd 83, Battle Lake)
- Saturday, September 15 at 12:00pm in Perham; Begin at City Hall Park (Main St & 2nd Ave SW, Perham)
- Saturday, September 15 at 6:30pm in Pelican Rapids; Begin at Sherin Park (E Mill St & 2 1/2 St SE, Pelican Rapids)
- Sunday, September 16 at 12:00pm in Parkers Prairie; Begin at City Park (307 N Otter Ave, Parkers Prairie)
The audience will have the option of viewing the production on foot or bicycle – moving together from scene to scene in a style of mobile theater PlaceBase Productions has coined “Walking Theater.” Some seating will be available for those that need it, but audience members are encouraged to bring their own chair or blanket to move with them from scene to scene.
This original musical theater production is a truly immersive experience created for all-ages and celebrates the rich history, culture, and local talent of the area. The audience will also receive a song-book when they arrive and will be encouraged to sing-along with the show!
Ashley Hanson & Andrew Gaylord of PlaceBase Productions, have spent the past year researching the history, stories, legends and lore of Otter Tail County by collecting historical documentation, holding Story Swap Workshops, and conducting interviews with groups and individuals who have a deep connection to the area. The stories and information collected have informed the script and music for this original, place-based theater production. [pdf-embedder url=”https://ottertaillakescountry.com/wp-content/uploads/Otter-Tales-The-Musical-Show-Poster.pdf” title=”Otter Tales The Musical Show Poster”]
PlaceBase Productions has successfully produced similar large-scale theater projects in Milan, Appleton, Granite Falls, Fergus Falls, Saint Paul, Bloomington, and New London – including the “Kirkbride Cycle,” a bicycle theater production that took place on the ground of the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center. Their productions have ranged from exploring the Minnesota River Valley through Walking, Hiking, Bird Watching and Paddling Theater on the Minnesota River. In each production, more than 40 community members participated in the show and audiences in the hundreds came from across the region to celebrate the stories of these treasured Minnesota places.
PlaceBase will produce Otter Tail County: The Musical! in partnership with the Otter Tail County Historical Society as a part of the 150th Anniversary of Otter Tail County. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
About PlaceBase Productions
Theater artists Ashley Hanson and Andrew Gaylord of PlaceBase Productions have successfully produced similar large-scale theater projects in the nearby communities of Granite Falls, Fergus Falls, New London, Milan, and Appleton to name a few. Their productions have ranged from exploring the Minnesota River Valley through Walking and Paddling Theater on the Minnesota River, to exploring the history of mental health care through Bicycle Theater. Find out more about their past projects at: www.placebaseproductions.com
Related Links:
Otter Tail 150: www.ottertail150.org
Otter Tail County Historical Society: www.otchs.org
Fergus Falls Bicycle Theater Documentary – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFpch92-mfY
