February 2, 2016 • Page 10 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com The ‘Suite’ Life! LCTC Is Booked To Present Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite At Dakota Theatre By Rob Nielsen A rob.nielsen@yankton.net rea residents will be getting an opportunity to spend an evening in a suite at New York City’s prestigious Plaza Hotel next month without stepping foot out of Yankton. The Lewis & Clark Theater Company is gearing up for a production of Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite” at the Dakota Theatre starting next week. According to director Stacie Peitz, this wasn’t originally the plan. “The board voted and picked ‘Plaza Suite’ as an alternative for ‘Strangers on a Train’ that we were originally going to do Kelly Hertz/P&D in October” Peitz said. “We moved ‘Steel The Lewis and Clark Theatre Co. presents the Neil Simon comedy “Plaza Suite” at the Dakota Theatre in downtown Yankton beginMagnolias’ when we had some difficulty ning Feb. 4. ABOVE: The cast includes, seated from left: Katie Fargo, Jennifer Williams, Randy Fields and Suzanne Leonard. Standobtaining the rights to do ‘Strangers on ing is Zak McComas, Kenny Tomek, Steven Buchy, and Sue Fields. BELOW: Even some of the young crew is appearing in the play, dressed as hotel servants to help change scenes. The crew (which is also engaged in some gender-mixing for their costuming), a Train’ and we narrowed it down to a couple of Neil Simon plays that had a little included, from left: Seth Fargo, Nicholas Nayokpuk, Natalie Nayokpuk and Quinn Fargo. romantic type of edge.” “Plaza Suite,” split into three acts, but I wouldn’t change it.” second run. Sunday shows are 2 p.m. while all other perforfollows three different couples in various While Peitz was on stage 20 years ago, Randy Fields — mances begin at 7:30. states of their relationships as they spend an evening in suite who plays Sam Nash in the show’s upcoming production — ——— 719 at the Plaza. The eight cast-member play is a comedy was out in the audience. The cast/crew list is as follows: set in 1968 and even features the stage crew wearing period “It just happened to be the first play I ever saw here at the “Karen Nash” — Suzanne Leonard costume. Dakota Theatre,” Fields said. “What kind of got me involved “Sam Nash” — Randy Fields “It’s three different couples in three different stages of with the theatre was this play.” “Jesse Kiplinger” — Zak McComas bliss, or not — mostly not,” Peitz said. Suzanne Leonard, who plays Karen Nash, commented on “Muriel Tate” — Katie Fargo This isn’t Peitz’s — or the Dakota Theatre’s — first experithe style of the play. “Norma Hubley” — Sue Fields ence with the play. “It’s a different style,” she said. “Three different scenes “Roy Hubley” — Steven Buchy “I had actually been in ‘Plaza Suite’ 20 years ago,” she happening within one hotel room. It’s my first time (in a Bellhop/Waiter/Bordon Eisler — Kenny Tomek said. “Maybe I did a good job with selling it to the board. I Jean McCormack/Mimsy Hubley — Jennifer Williams think because one of us was familiar with the story and could play).” Peitz said the cast has helped make the work of bringing Director — Stacie Peitz tell the rest of the people, it kind of helped. We didn’t go into the play together much easier. Assistant Director — Amy Bruening it blind, get a script and go, ‘Oh my gosh. This isn’t what we “The cast has been incredible — incredibly patient and Stage Manager — Quinn Fargo thought it was going to be.’ We needed to make a decision Light/Sound Design — Zak McComas pretty quickly so that we could request the rights and have a incredibly dedicated,” she said. “We’ve had some pretty long nights. I hate to keep people out past 10 p.m. on a weeknight. Set Construction — Russ Leonard & Crew February show and get it out to the public.” … It’s a lot of work when you start at 6:30 p.m. and you’re goCostumer, Set Design — Stacie Peitz She added that she’s happy to have the chance to direct ing past 10 o’clock. … The cast has gone above and beyond Light Operator — Olivia Hudson — but it wasn’t the easiest of choices. as far as bringing in things for their costumes, bringing in Sound Operator — Alexis Sejnoha “It was kind of tough for me because I was in it 20 years things for props if they had any pieces so we didn’t have to Stage Crew — Nicholas Nayokpuk, Seth Fargo, Natalie ago, so it’s got a very special place in my heart,” she said. go hunting and searching.“ Nayokpuk “There was a character I wasn’t old enough to play then that “Plaza Suite” opens Feb. 4 with a 7:30 showing and will I would’ve been old enough to audition for now. I had to think run through Feb. 7 in its first weekend and Feb. 11-14 in its Follow @RobNielsenPandD on Twitter. about it because I would’ve really loved to have auditioned, 7 Participating Businesses Are… Change What You Eat - Change How You Feel Prices Good February 2 - February 15 Riverfront Event Center ON ANY 3¢ HEALTH MARKET BAKING ITEM EARN CREATIVE CORNER P N E R OFF G A L LO (INCLUDING GLUTEN FREE ITEMS) Bob’s Red Mill Snack Factory Quinoa Pretzel Crisps 24 oz. bag Original, sea salt and cracked pepper or honey mustard and onion. Great snack for the big game! 12 $ 2 49 $ Excellent source of protein and a name you trust! 18 Angies Boom Chicka Pop 2 $ 39 Sea Salt or Caramel & Cheddar J&H Cleaning Services 10% off Bulk items Saturday and Sunday February 6 & 7th and 13 & 14 Want your REAL-TIME MESSAGE on the most visited media website in the Yankton area? 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