Quote of the Day: I’ve been to other stage readings for new plays, but this was a step up. Lynn Ellison, stage hand for It’s Murder, Dontcha Know, and performer from Brainerd lakes area stages. 

The Yellow Tree Theatre is hosting a One Woman Play Festival for the month of February. They are featuring one woman playwright each weekend in February. I had the honor of being chosen for this festival with my play It’s Murder, Dontcha Know, based on the novel by MN author Jeanne Cooney. We are rehearsing the show here in the Brainerd lakes area, at Central Lakes College Performing Arts. So, the timing was perfect to bring our Up North show to the metro.

The leftover set from “Steel Magnolias” at the Yellow Tree Theatre in Osseo, MN was the perfect set for our Stage Reading/Presentation of “It’s Murder, Dontcha Know.” Thank you Yellow Tree for your generous hospitality!

The title alone piques people’s curiosity. It sounds like an Up North comedy/murder/mystery, which it is. Jeanne created these wonderful, quirky characters that populate the small town of Hallock, in the NW corner of Minnesota. I used my playwriting skills to enhance them and make them characters that are fun to play on stage. I’m playing the main character, Doris, who is a recently widowed farmer and has just moved her farmhouse into town for a “peaceful, solitary life.” But, when a robbery and murder happen in the same week, and her kids become suspects, it’s not the “peaceful retirement” that she had planned on.

Barb McColgan becoming Rose.

Doris’ sister Grace (played by local author Julie Jo Larson) runs Hotdish Heaven, a local café where “nothing ever happens,” until a body is found in the dumpster! Their family friend, and Doris’ aunt through marriage, Rose (played by local talent Barb McColgan) witnessed the robbery, and is having more excitement than your average 90-year-old living at the Assisted Living Center, helping to solve these crimes. She calls in Doris’ daughter Erin (played by Kayla Luhrs, a new resident to the BLA and the stage) as she is on duty that night as a Sheriff’s Deputy. Doris’ son Will (played by the talented Andy Ellison) looks suspicious as someone who has a hot temper and reputation for getting into bar fights.

Sheriff Karl Ingebretsen (Marc Juel) is trying to investigate the crimes, and his former high school sweetheart Doris can’t stay out of it. Also employed as a Deputy Sheriff is Ed Monson (CJ Nichols) a rookie who bumbles his way through interrogations. Representing this eclectic small town are the drunk banker Gustaf Gustafson (veteran actor Richard “Watson” Dreissig), and town gossip Berta Benson (Joanna Collins). Berta’s granddaughter, Joy “Tweety” Jacobson (Bridger Collins), is a little too involved in the crime, and not enough as Grace’s “number one” waitress. Actually, she has many excuses for not working! Allie (Elli Salo) works her tail off covering all the table, taking orders, and working a side hustle server job at a fancy restaurant in Grand Forks. 

Mark Ford as Dr. Betcher and Blake Lubinus as Dr. Osgood.

The local doctors leave something to be desired, or at least Dr. Betcher thinks so. Dr. Betcher (Mark Ford) is a bit of a lecher, but Rose thinks he’s a good doctor. On the other hand, he doesn’t take “No” for an answer very well! Dr. Osgood (Blake Lubinus) is the handsome, young doctor, who may, or may not, blend in. The head nurse, Gerti (Rhonda Schmidt) has a few choice words for doctors who don’t follow protocols. And, she’s quite proud of her Scandinavian heritage, bringing a special dish to the Thanksgiving feast. 

Cast and crew of “It’s Murder, Dontcha Know,” adapted for the stage by Mary Aalgaard, based on the novel by Jeanne Cooney.

I am so grateful for the talented cast and crew who are making all of this possible. Guy Kelm is the creative and kind director for this project. He understands this story, gets my humor, and supports my writing. He also brings his own creative eye to the project, making it all look and sound better. The entire cast has contributed to the development of this play. I couldn’t have done it without them. Our set designer is the inimitable Tim Leagjeld. He has designed hundreds of shows in the Brainerd lakes area and is a master at details. You can see part of the set behind our group shot, and that’s not all. The side panels rotate for scenes in Doris’ house, the Sheriff’s office and doctors’ office. The main center focal point is Hotdish Heaven, and I love all the details he’s including! Some of which, the audience won’t really be able to see, but gives so much authenticity to the setting. Don Abbot is designing the sound, and Nicole Grabowski is our costumer. Our Stage Manager is my friend Shawna Sylvester, who has managed several plays at CLC, and was a castmate for August: Osage County, that we did last June. She is incredibly organized and keeps us informed, and accountable, for ALL THE THINGS! 

Backstage nerves and smiles at Yellow Tree Theatre in Osseo, MN, before going on for our stage reading/presentation of “It’s Murder, Dontcha Know,” based on the novel by Jeanne Cooney.

When I started this post, it was to highlight the Stage Readings and all the good work done at Yellow Tree Theatre in Osseo, MN. They are in need of your support, so please consider a donation to their amazing theater and mission! I want to thank Yellow Tree Artistic Director Austene Van for inviting me to the One Woman Play Festival and to the staff at Yellow Tree for their warm welcome and hospitality.

I also need to thank Joseph Yow the Artistic Director at Central Lakes College. He said yes to this project back in the Spring of 2023. We had a stage reading at CLC in September of 2023, and I’ve gone on to make considerable edits to the script from there. He’s also designing the lighting for our show. Also, a huge thank you to my friend and Publicist Krista Rolfzen Soukup at Blue Cottage Agency. You are a champion! 

You can see the world premiere of It’s Murder, Dontcha Know at CLC Performing Arts in Brainerd, MN, February 27 & 28, at 7:00, and March 1 & 2, at 2:00. This project is also made possible by grants from the Five Wings Arts Council, Springboard for the Arts, Minnesota State Arts Board and the voters of Minnesota. Minnesotans are known for their support of the arts. Now, more than ever, we need your continued financial support, attendance, and community building. The Arts represent all people with varied voices and backgrounds. They give us a place to explore new ideas, people, and examine ourselves – to see ourselves represented, to hear stories that resonate and make us think.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What are you creating? Who has been your champion and supporter? Who or what are you supporting right now?