Olde Towne Dinner Theatre

Woster & Scott Will Wow ‘Em in Worthing

                Two guys walk into a theatre. What happens next is magic. Get set for great music, jokes and a tall tale or two at the Olde Towne Dinner Theatre in Worthing, SD. Two South Dakota favorites – Jim Woster and Kip Scott – are the main attraction for a dinner show on Saturday, March 20, beginning at 6:30pm.

                The show is a special fundraiser for the theatre 12 miles south of Sioux Falls. Tickets are $50 each and the public can make reservations by calling 605-372-4653 or e-mailing oldetownetht@iw.net.

                “We’re going to have a good time,” Woster said.

                The two have been sharing music and laughter with South Dakota audiences for more than 30 years. They met in 1977 when Scott, a hog farmer, called Woster, who was doing the market report for the Sioux Falls Stockyards, and said a group of farmers wanted to hold a protest over prices. They eventually became friends and discovered that both were playing guitar and singing.

                “We started talking and the guitars came out,” Wooster says.

                What makes a former stockyards reporter and a hog farmer so special? “It’s that South Dakota point of view,” said Dianne Christensen, Executive Director of Olde Towne. “They have a real talent for connecting to their audience.”

                The two became very well known in the region via KELO TV. Way back in 1983, KELO CEO Joe Floyd was looking for talent for a half-hour Saturday midday program.

                Jim Woster recalls that Floyd asked him something like: “Do you think you could do a half-hour show with nothing in it?”

                Woster replied: “I’m your guy.”

                With the help of Scott, the two have entertained people throughout the region ever since. The KELO gig lasted 13 years and Woster and Scott have entertained in venues throughout the Midwest.

                Both are native South Dakotans, although Scott spent his high school and college years in Colorado.

                After high school, Scott says he was on his way to musical success with The Gateway Singers at Estes Park.  Then, disaster.  One of the band members fell for a girl who worked at the resort area and “love ruined everything.” He went solo as he worked his way through college and returned to South Dakota in 1973.

                Woster was in a band during his college days, too, with a roommate and friends at SDSU. “We wowed ‘em.”

                The two have a close connection to Olde Towne Dinner Theatre. Both attend plays at the theatre and Scott has family ties to Worthing.  The two even have done an occasional gig in one of the bars in the small town. 

                Woster and Scott are enthusiastic about raising dollars for the theatre’s building fund.  They advised people in the area to be sure to make reservations soon.  Seating is limited to about 100.

                “I’ll be wearing my cowboy boots,” Woster said, “So, I’ll look good.”

                Olde Towne Dinner Theatre is a non-profit community theatre that has been serving the community for 27 years.  It features fine dining and talented performers. The theatre is located 12 miles south of Sioux Falls. Take Louise Avenue south, and turn left at the 4-way-stop sign as you reach Worthing (the first town on the road); travel east for two blocks, and turn right. The theatre is on the right (west) side about halfway down the block. Or, take I-29 south to the Worthing exit (No. 64), travel 2 miles east to the 4-way-stop sign and two more blocks east to Main Street and turn right.

Auditions for the drama Rabbit Hole will be held Monday and Tuesday May 10 & 11 @ 7 pm at the theatre.  No experience or preparation is necessary.  A cast of 2 men and 3 women is needed. Please see character descriptions below.  The role of Howie has already been cast.  Rehearsals will begin early June.  Each actor cast in the show receives a small gas stipend and is treated to a fine meal after every performance.  If you have questions about auditions or are unable to make the scheduled audition times, please contact the director, Jim Wood at jim@oldetownetheatre.org.  We hope to see you there!

Cast Requirements:

• BECCA: late thirties or early forties
• IZZY: early thirties, Becca's sister
• HOWIE: late thirties or early forties, Becca's Husband
• NAT: mid-sixties, Becca and Izzy's mother
• JASON: seventeen

Auditions for Olde Towne’s production of the romantic comedy The Movie Game by Adam Hummel were held on February 21 & 22. There were many talented people at auditions which made selecting a cast very difficult. Many thanks to all of those that auditioned. The cast is as follows: 

• Jack: John J. Boe
• Sam: Meghan Anderson
• Dr. Seuz: Benjamin Ashwood
• Florence: Vickie Marnach
• Frank: Jeff Dutton (1st 3 weeks), Greg Belfrage (last two weeks)
• Francine: Allison Pistulka
• Blake: Richard Stratmeyer
• Blake's Assisstant: Sara Ferwerda
• Maggie: Cloey Sprecher
• Paul: Caleb Olson

Crew:

• Stage Manager: Helen Schettler
• Technical Director: John Boe
• Costumes & Properties: Molly Wilson

The Worthing Police Department does an excellent job of enforcing the speed limits and traffic ordinances.  Please use caution and beware of the posted speed limits on your way to and from the theatre.

Although costs have increased substantially for Olde Towne Dinner Theatre, the Board of Directors planned only a small price increase for the 2009-2010 season. Prices are $32 for Thursday and $36 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday individual performances and $130 for season tickets.

The Raffle Continues

John Forsberg was the grand prize winner of the Isolabella print for OTDT’s holiday production of Noises Off.

Due to the outstanding success this past season, our raffle will continue during our production of Almost, Maine.  Each night of the raffle, the winner will receive a bottle of wine, or the beverage pack of their choice, or other prize options.  Each winner’s name will be added to the grand prize drawing at the final performance of Almost, Maine.  The grand prize (on display above the registration table) for this production is a decorative Blenko vase (autographed and numbered) donated by Ruth Bylander.  If you would like to donate an item for the raffle during our production of The Movie Game this spring, please contact Dianne at the Box Office, 605-372-4653.  Proceeds from the raffle benefit our building fund.  Raffle tickets are only one dollar each, or you may purchase six for only five dollars.  All of the prizes are donated; therefore 100% of the raffle dollars go to the building fund, and donations here are greatly appreciated.

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Director’s Cut Wines

Over the past two years, Olde Towne has added another level of enjoyment for our guests.  With each production, we offer special wines, not usually included in our regular wine list.  These wines are carefully selected by experts in the wine industry to compliment our menu for each play.  Whenever possible, our wine advisors try to relate the wine varieties with the theme of the production as well.  Here are the special selections for Almost, Maine:

Cajun Chicken Breast

Dry Creek Vineyards Chenin Blanc, $17.00

Inviting aromas of citrus, peach and tropical fruit leap from the glass. On the palate, the wine is simply refreshing and delicious, following the tropical fruit theme while displaying excellent acidity and balance.

Honey Ginger Baked Salmon

Chateau Ste Michelle Syrah, Columbia Valley, WA, $17.00

A soft, ripe Syrah with dark ripe berry fruit aromas and flavors with hints of vanilla and brown sugar spice. Fermented with Mourvedre and Viognier for an even brighter and softer style.

Top Sirloin with a Thyme Sauce

Villa Pozzi Cabernet Sauvignon, Sicily, Italy, $17.00

Intense and inky, a complex and concentrated mixture of licorice and cassis with a dash of chocolate and mint gently supported by vanilla oak.

Director’s Cut wines will also be available for $5/glass and the Mosacto will continue the dessert course.

OTDT needs your wisdom. The Theatre has six committees and interested members of the public may apply for committee membership. Committee meetings will be held quarterly at minimum.

 Committees include:

Finance: Paul Van Sloten (Chair)
Personnel: John Thuringer (Chair)
Programming: Lynn Aspaas (Chair)
Marketing: Ruth Bylander (Chair)
Facilities: Eric Eneboe (Chair)
Capital Campaign: Bill Heaston (Chair)

 If you are interested in serving on any of these vital committees please let Dianne know. Call 372-4653, email to info@oldetownetheatre.org, or talk to Dianne or any Board member in person.