Based in Decorah, Iowa, New Minowa Players (NMP) community theatre company began presenting shows in 1975 and since then has presented over 185 straight plays, musicals, reviews, cabarets and melodramas in a variety of locations — including its own New Minowa Players Theatre, located at 906 South Mill Street, Decorah
With a mission of “building community by entertaining, educating and enriching participants and audiences of all ages through diverse theatrical experiences,” NMP is continuing its tradition of theatrical excellence in this, its 47th season.
Matilda: The Musical
Rehearsals for NMP’s production of Matilda, the musical are underway. Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary little girl with extraordinary powers. Audience members will find themselves cheering for her as she stands up to those who try to hold her down. The musical is fun, empowering, and uplifting — exactly what is needed on a cold winter afternoon or evening.
The show will be presented at the NMP theatre at 906 S. Mill Street in Decorah in January. Due to the show’s popularity, there will be seven performances to give all those who wish to see the show an opportunity to come.
Performances will be:
Thursday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m
Saturday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m., with a second performance at 7 p.m.
Tickets are already available and make great holiday gifts or stocking stuffers. Go to https://www.newminowaplayers.org/buy-tickets.
Matilda will be directed by Sheryl Scheffert, with choreography by David Mendez.
Matilda (Jenessa Kane) is the daughter of a man and woman who are her complete opposites. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood (Rick Scheffert and Karen Esterl), simply do not understand her. Matilda finds refuge in library books and her imagination. Things are no better at school, where Matilda must face the cruel principal Trunchbull (Gabriel Twedt). Trunchbull believes in Crunchem Hall’s motto, “Bambinatum est Magitum,” which translates to “Children are Maggots.”
Matilda finds a friend in her teacher, Miss Honey (Claire Martin). Miss Honey means well, but she is shy and non-assertive. Matilda, on the other hand, is brave and knows that she has to stand up to some of the crazy adults in her world. Along the way, she discovers that she has unusual powers, some of them magical. Matilda’s actions teach the world an important lesson: Life may be hard, but “nobody but me is gonna change my story”; so “sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.”
The musical has many other characters, ranging from school friends to parents to other important adults. The cast, listed alphabetically by last name, includes: Elise Bennett, Alison Blake, Olivia Blake, Elsa Christman, Emma Cline, Paul Fadness, Ezra Harman-Wood, Violet Hatfield, Megan Hillesheim, Nick Hirka, Molly Holkesvik, Elsa Johnson, Erik Johnson, Rebecca Kane, Ruby Langholz, Violet Martinsen-Burrell, Lailyn McGrath, Harper Menke, Teagan Menke, Faith Meyer, Gwenyth Thompson, Chloe Sabin, Vivian Searcy, and Margret Zook.
Matilda is full of catchy songs and high-energy dance numbers. Audience members will find themselves at the edge of their seats when the action gets intense and leaning back with laughter when Matilda overcomes another obstacle. They will walk away knowing that they, too, can be brave when life presents them with challenges.
Matilda is based on the famous book by the same name, written by beloved children’s author Roald Dahl. The script was written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. The show will be presented as part of a special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
The performances of Matilda would not be possible without the generous support of NMP’s season and show sponsors: Decorah Bank & Trust, Family Table Restaurant, Gallery of Tops, Iroc Web Design Services, Karen Esterl, Pizza Ranch, Rockweiler Appliance & TV, Rick and Sheryl Scheffert, JoAn Stevenson and Steven Nelson, and Singing Hammers Construction.
Rest of the Season
The Crucible is the show NMP almost got to perform in 2020. After rescheduling it for 2021 and postponing again, the company is excited to finally bring this classic to stage in April 2022.
Based on the story of the Salem, Massachusetts witch trials of the 1690s, “The Crucible” examines what happens when a “civilized” community succumbs to mass hysteria. Themes of judgement, reputation, truth, individuality, revenge, intolerance, and good vs. evil thread through this classic play by Arthur Miller. The Crucible will be directed by David Mendez.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be NMP’s 2022 summer show. Originally scheduled for 2020, then 2021, NMP is excited to finally produce the show in June of 2022.
Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story. Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. Ariel seeks help from her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and Sebastian the crab, to restore order under the sea.
