Abrams Theatre Postpones “My Fair Lady”

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. has postponed the upcoming musical “My Fair Lady.” Future show dates are currently being reviewed.
The suspension is in support of the well-being of the theater-going public as well as those who work on the production, subject to ongoing assessment by county and state health authorities. ASPI takes the health and safety of our patrons, staff and community seriously and urge everyone to follow the guidelines set forth by public health officials.
ASPI customers with tickets to the show will be contacted via phone or email with further information.

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. will present the award-winning Broadway musical, “My Fair Lady,” March 20-22 and 27-29. Originally produced in 1956, “My Fair Lady” depicts the transformation of Eliza Doolittle under the tutelage of Professor Henry Higgins. Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s most popular musical collaboration earned nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Director Tim Rutten- Kempees described “My Fair Lady” as a classic Broadway show known for its songs, including “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” and “The Rain in Spain.”

“There’s so much to enjoy about this show, but in particular will be the music and dancing,” Rutten- Kempees said. “I look forward to the audience leaving after curtain call humming their favorite tune from the show.”

Bobby Buffington, Justin Norman, Abby Frank rehearse a scene from the musical “My Fair Lady,” to be presented by Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. March 20-22 and 27-29.

The cast of “My Fair Lady” represents a mix of ages from 10 to 60-plus and features newcomers and returning veterans with a diverse range of experience. Portraying the lead roles of Eliza and Professor Henry Higgins are Abby Frank and Bobby Buffington.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 20, 21, 27 and 28, and 1 p.m. Saturday, March 21 and 28, and Sunday, March 22 and 29, at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. The audience is invited to an opening night gala after the March 20 performance. The gala features complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments with the cast and crew.

Tickets are available at AbramsTheater.com or by calling the box office, 920-826-5852.

The show is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark, a Concord Theatricals Company.

Charles Van Sickle Scholarship

Oconto Electric Cooperative invites students to apply for the 2020 Charles Van Sickle Scholarship. The $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a pre-law or law student who has an interest in cooperative law. The scholarship is made possible by an endowment established in 2013 to honor Wisconsin’s renowned electric cooperative lobbyist and attorney, the late Charles Van Sickle. The scholarship will be awarded during the Spring 2020 semester. Contact OEC for an application.

Military Night At OFHS

The OFHS Military Night Committee is excited to announce the local honorees for their 1st Annual Military Night, being held Friday, January 24th, 2020.

Please come out and support our team’s efforts in showing appreciation for all our veterans and active military.

Leslie Butch Vorpahl, U.S. Navy, Robert Thomson, U.S. Air Force, Robert Maloney, U.S. Navy, and Ron Christensen, U.S. Marine Corps, and all veterans.

Oconto Falls Boys Basketball Team

4:30 p.m. Spaghetti dinner at Oconto Falls High School

5:45 JV Basketball game

6:45 Military Night Ceremony, hosted by John Maino

7:50 Varsity game

OFHS Vocal Jazz shares the spirit of the holidays!

Pictured:
Row 1 -Autumn Canavera, Isabella Rennie, Haley Schwantes, Khloe Van Dornick
Row 2 -Emma Bliskey, Cedar Olsen, Santa, Lyndsey Luebke, Carina Wirtley
Row 3 – Connor Romandine, Alex Waschbisch, Hunter Schaden, Keith Van Dornick, Simon Pumplun, Aidan Spillane

The Oconto Falls High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble, with Director Amy Thiel, shared the spirit of the holidays throughout Northeast Wisconsin on December 12 as they performed festive music. Performances included Aurora BayCare in Green Bay, BayPark Square in Green Bay, and Meadowlands in Oconto Falls, as well as HSHS St. Clare Hospital, Witt’s Piggly Wiggly, United True Value, Burger King, Peterson Ford, and City Hall in Oconto Falls. OFHS graduate Eva Finke was the accompanist for the performances. Selections included holiday favorites Angels We Have Heard On High, Silent Night, Caroling Caroling, An Evening In December, and We Wish You a Merry Madrigal!

‘My Fair Lady’ auditions set for Dec. 16-17

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. will hold auditions Dec. 16-17 for its spring musical, “My Fair Lady,” to be presented March 20- 22 and 27-29. The musical calls for various roles, both male and female, 10 years and older.

Originally produced on Broadway in 1956, “My Fair Lady” is Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s most popular musical collaboration, earning nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show depicts the transformation of “guttersnipe” Eliza Doolittle, under the tutelage of Professor Henry Higgins. “My Fair Lady” is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark, a Concord Theatricals Company.

Individuals will have two opportunities to audition: 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, or 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. Callbacks are 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Individuals who audition should come prepared to sing a short selection of a song not from “My Fair Lady.” They can sing acapella or bring a CD or phone to play music. The auditions will also include a reading from the script and a group choreography number. Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended.

For more information, visit AbramsSpotlightProductions.com or contact ASPI at 920-826-5852 or theater.aspi@gmail.com.

Love Lights Honor Loved Ones During Christmas Season

The Partners of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital invite the community to participate in Love Lights, an annual Christmas fundraiser.

With Love Lights, people can honor a loved one, a business or organization by having their name placed next to a lit Christmas tree that is on display at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital throughout the holiday season.

Proceeds from Love Lights will benefit various health care improvements at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, which is part of a not-for-profit, Catholic-based health care system. Order forms can be found in the HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Welcome Center. They can be returned in-person, or mailed to:

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital
Attn: Amber Just, Volunteer Services
855 S. Main St.
Oconto Falls, WI 54154

A blessing of the Love Lights tree will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, 855 S. Main St. in Oconto Falls, with a social to follow.

OFHS Choirs Present Home for the Holidays XII on December 7

The Oconto Falls High School Choirs will be presenting HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS XII on Saturday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Falls Area Performing Arts Center.  Pre-concert music will begin at 6:10 p.m. in the Commons Area.  The concert will feature the Chamber Singers, Cantabile, Chorale, Concert Choir, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

This year’s performances will include many holiday classics, including Angels We Have Heard On High, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, and the First Nowell.  The four choirs -Chamber Singers, Cantabile, Concert Choir and Chorale – will also join their voices to sing a collection of Alfred Burt carols, including Caroling, Caroling, All on A Christmas Morning, The Star Carol, and We’ll Dress The House.  The concert will also showcase the talents of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble singing Fum, Fum, Fum, A Very Merry Madrigal, and An Evening in December.  Many children’s favorites will be featured at this performance, including Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and We Are Santa’s Elves. The concert will conclude with the traditional Candlelight Processional— O Holy Night, Silent Night, Away In A Manger, and Joy to the World.  Community members and alumni will again be asked to join the OFHS Choirs for the finale selection Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah

The concert is free and everyone is encouraged to attend this wonderful evening of holiday music!

Youth to Present ‘Elf the Musical Jr’ in Abrams

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. is spreading Christmas cheer with the comedy “Elf The Musical Jr.” Based on a 2003 hit movie, this fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. The show features an all-youth cast, songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, and a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin.

“Doing a musical based on a movie can be hit or miss,” Director Elizbeth Jolly said. “Including enough of the movie while adding music and deepening the emotions for the stage is not an easy task. Elf really hits the nail on the head. I mean, when you have a show-stopping number called “sparklejollytwinklejingley,” you know you’re going to be in for a good time.”

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14, and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and 14, and Sunday, Dec. 8 and 15, at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. A limited number of tickets are available at AbramsTheater.com or by calling the box office, 920-826-5852.

Jolly said Elf contradicts the misconception that quality doesn’t matter in a kids’ show.

“I think that sells children short,” she said. “We are not just depending on their cuteness, although they are all adorable. The cast is intelligent, talented, and has put in a lot of work to make this a high quality, spectacular production.”

“Elf The Musical Jr.” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).  All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com.

The Avenue of Lights

Usher in the Christmas season at the holiday lighting ceremony for the Avenue of Lights. The Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is a proud supporter of this festive community tradition, presented by the Oconto Falls Lioness Club.

The excitement begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Oconto Falls East Side Beach, 631 N. Main St., Oconto Falls. Enjoy the sounds of Christmas carols sung by the Oconto Falls High School Choir.

Mr. & Mrs. Claus arrive at 6:30 p.m. for the lighting of the lights and visits with the children.

Cookies and hot cocoa will be served!

Abrams theater to present Elf The Musical Jr.

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. will spread holiday cheer with its production of “Elf The Musical Jr.” Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity.

The musical, featuring the talent of local youth, is based on the 2003 New Line Cinema hit. The show features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin and a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 and 15, at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. Tickets are selling fast. Purchase yours online at AbramsTheater.com.

“Elf The Musical Jr.” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com.