Bluegrass infused classic tours to Battle Lake & Fergus Falls

Sod House Theater is excited to present a new, bluegrass infused adaptation, of “An Enemy of the People,” written by Henrik Ibsen, adapted by Darcey Engen, Luverne Seifert, Brian Laidlaw, and Ashley Hanson that will tour to Battle Lake and Fergus Falls for two performances in each city.  Known for their fantastically fun productions, Sod House will join forces with local talent and audiences to celebrate summer and community through the experience of live, site-specific theater. The production will play in Battle Lake Aug. 24-25, and in Fergus Falls Aug. 26-27, 2017. Tickets are available at www.sodhousetheater.org.

This classic play, “An Enemy of the People” examines how a community responds when a local doctor threatens to expose that the water it relies upon for tourism is being poisoned. The play questions how far a community will go to protect their town’s secret in order to avoid financial ruin. “We’ve chosen communities to perform with that have recently experienced water pollution issues, and whose lakes and rivers are a major contributor to their tourism economy,” said Luverne Seifert, co-artistic director of Sod House Theater. After each performance, water experts from local organizations will facilitate conversations centered on local water issues in hopes that the play and community dialogue will inspire water conservation.

The play will be performed at site-specific locations that are important to the historical narrative of each community.  Performance locations include town halls and river parks. Sod House Theater actors will be joined by local talent within each community to workshop, develop and perform the play.

This year marks the 7^th season for Sod House Theater.  “We have experienced great success traveling throughout rural Minnesota to join communities in the creation of high caliber theater, summer fun, and inspired civic engagement,” says Darcey Engen, co-artistic director of Sod House Theater.

The Sod House production of “An Enemy of the People” will feature performers known for their comedic work on the stages of the Guthrie, Jungle Theater, and Ten Thousand Things Theater. The cast includes: Joy Dolo, Darcey Engen, Isable Enns, Ashley Hanson, Alex Hathaway, Brian Laidlaw, Del Logeais, Dario Tangleson, Luverne Seifert and Suzanne Warmanen.

Tickets for “An Enemy of the People” are $15 for adults; $10 for Children, Students and Seniors. Tickets are available at www.sodhousetheater.org. For show information call 612-414-2032.

ABOUT SOD HOUSE THEATER

Sod House Theater is a Minneapolis based theater group that tours professional productions to greater Minnesota communities.  Founded in 2011 by co-artistic directors Darcey Engen and Luverne Seifert, Sod House has presented several reimagined classics including “The Cherry Orchard,” “The Visit,” “Peer Gynt,” “Urinetown,” and the original “Hoopla Train with Yard Master Yip and his Polkastra.” Works selected to tour are chosen for their relevance to small-town communities, and performed in venues important to the respective community’s historical narrative. The mission of Sod House Theater is to produce high-quality, interactive theater, and perform it alongside local actors in significant historical sites to create transformative experiences for both performers and audience. For more information visit Sod House Theater.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through the appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature from the State’s arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

QUICK REFERENCE

Production:

• Sod House Theater
• “An Enemy of the People,” written by Henrik Ibsen
• Adapted by Darcey Engen, Luverne Seifert, Brian Laidlaw and Ashley Hanson

Venue/Dates/Times:                        

Battle Lake, Lions Park

• Thur., Aug. 24 at 7pm
• Fri. Aug. 25 at 7pm

Fergus Falls, City Hall & Park

• 112 W Washington Ave. Fergus Falls, MN 55637
• Sat., Aug. 26 at 7pm
• Sun., Aug. 27 at 1pm                                                    

Tickets:                                             

• www.sodhousetheater.org or
• 612-414-2032

Price:

• $15 Adults
• $10 Children, Students, Seniors