PLAYBILL
The World’s Largest Freshwater Musical
June 23 – July 16, 2023
Josef Evans
Playwright and Composer
Josef Evans has written seven productions for Open Eye, including LOCH MESS, HAIRBALL, LOG JAM, CONSTANCE IN THE DARKNESS, TO THE MOON, STRUMPLY PETER, and NOTHING IS SOMETHING.
His plays have been seen on a variety of local and national stages, from the Minnesota Fringe Festival to the Guthrie Theater. Notable works include Love in a Time of Rinderpest and The Turducken.
He is resident playwright with Zamya Theater Project, holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Notre Dame, and is a graduate of the University of Washington Playwriting program. He is a member of the Dramatists’ Guild of America.
Keep up with his work on Instagram: @jwritemn
Joel Sass
Stage Director
Joel Sass serves as Open Eye Theatre's Producing Artistic Director, after having first joined the company as Associate Producer in 2017. He has been based in the Twin Cities since 1991, working as a producer, stage director, designer and adapter, specializing in the creation of new multi-disciplinary work for the stage and devising imaginative reinterpretations of classic texts. Learn more about Joel.
FEATURING
-
Abilene Olson
Beatrix Barnes
Abilene is so excited to be back at The Bakken with Open Eye! She is a graduate of Stephens College and holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts. She’s been bopping around the Twin Cities for 6 years. Catch her this October in Theatre Elision's production of Ghost Quartet.
-
Lux Mortenson
Lillian LeGrande / Ma Barnes / Barfly / Queen of the Kelpies / Ensemble
Lux (they/them) is thrilled to be returning to the grassy rooftop of The Bakken with Open Eye again for their third summer. Previous credits include Mimi Marmot in HAIR BALL and Ma Duffy in LOG JAM!
-
France Roberts
Barrymore J Davenport / Barkeep / Ensemble
France is a Twin Cities actor, director and educator. He is excited to return to Open Eye this summer, after last summer's show Hair Ball. France was also a memeber of the cast in the inaugural outdoor summer show Log Jam, where he played Hot Biscuit Slim. France has worked at numerous theatres across the metro area including Artistry, Hennepin Theatre Trust, Lyric Arts, Minnetonka Theatre, Cross Players, Eden Prairie Players, and Chameleon Theatre. He was a Top 9 Finalist for the 2021 MN Teacher of the Year, and is proud to be a public school teacher.
-
Antonio Rios Luna
Captain Handy / Pa Barnes / Ensemble
Antonio Rios Luna made their Open Eye debut as Babe the Blue Ox in LOG JAM. We’re thrilled to have them back at The Bakken again this year.
-
May Heinecke
First Mate Tate / Ensemble
May is going into her final year in the University of Minnesota BFA Acting Program, studying acting and math. She has also worked as an acting coach with Twin Cities Theater Camp. Some of her favorite roles include Dionysus (The Bakkhai), Friar Laurence (Romeo and Juliet), Lord Pembroke (King John), and Antigonus/Clown (The Winter’s Tale).
-
Tom Reed (he/him)
Torbjorg Lothbrok / Dangus MacMacaroney
Tom acts, sings, writes, loves biking and grew up on an organic garlic farm. He’s delighted to be back again on The Bakken's green roof with Open Eye! Other credits include Jungle Theater, Mixed Blood, History Theatre, HUGE Improv Theater, and nearly 20 mainstage Brave New Workshop productions. Find out more about Tom at tombreed.com.
-
Jared Mogen (he/him)
Guitarist/Narrator
Jared was rarely mentioned in Sioux Falls, SD's Argus Leader and doesn't expect LOCH MESS to change that. His favorite part of the show is getting to reunite with his friends from LOG JAM and the creative process of making discoveries with fellow artists. He is extremely grateful to escape his retail life at Costco for a few short weeks to be artistic and silly with a wonderful group of humans
INTRODUCING
The Hands On Deck – Ensemble / Puppeteers / Production Management
Chesare Cipriano
Rene'e Gonzales
Anna Schloerb
Emery Todd
CREATIVE TEAM
Book Music & Lyrics – Josef Evans
Stage Director – Joel Sass
Choreography – Heidi Spesard Noble
Costume Design – Kathy Kohl
Orchestrations – Dan Dukich
Sound Design – Nathaniel Glewwe
Sound Engineer – Abe Gabor
MUSICAL NUMBERS
Recorded Music – Josef Evans and Dan Dukich
Moon Lute on "You Must Be Brave" – Randall Throckmorton
Additional Vocal Recording – Kevin T. Springer
BEATRIX BARNES (FROM BEAVER BAY) ... BEATRIX, BACKUP SINGERS
THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF DULUTH ... BEATRIX and COMPANY
LOOK ALIVE! ... COMPANY
YOU GOTTA PUT ON A SHOW ... LILLIAN, BARRY, BEATRIX and CAPTAIN HANDY
THE LAND OF MILK (AND ROTGUT HONEY) ... TATE, BEATRIX and HANDS ON DECK
YOU MUST BE BRAVE ... DANGUS, CAPTAIN HANDY, and BEATRIX
WHEN YOUR HEART EXPLODES ... COMPANY
DANCE INTO THE DEEP ... QUEEN OF THE KELPIES
WHAT IT IS TO BE STRONG ... CAPTAIN HANDY
FINALE ... COMPANY
Open Eye wishes to thank The Bakken Museum and staff for their incredible partnership and support!
Open Eye is generously supported by:
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the State’s general fund and its arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.