The Minot Area Theatrical Society is announcing its 2012 season, beginning with a parody of an Alfred Hitchcock movie, "The 39 Steps," by Patrick Barlow April 5-7.
"We had to change the timing of the show a couple of times because of the flood and losing actors," said Nicolette Nelson, MATS executive director.
"The weekend we found we could do it included Easter, so we're only having three performances." The Children's Show, where the entire production is staged by the children both in front of and behind the curtains with minimal help from adults is scheduled for Sept. 27-30, and is "The Little Mermaid." This is based on the original Hans Christian Anderson tale, introducing characters not seen before, following the little mermaid on her first voyage to the top of the sea.
The main stage show of "Getting Out," by Marsha Norman, is slated for Oct. 18-20. "It's a very serious drama about a woman released from prison that Christine Morse is directing for us," said Nelson. The author of the final main stage show, "Pirates of the Chemotherapy," contacted MATS directly asking them to produce the show in Minot.
Subtitled "A dramatic comedy by Paul Schutte," it is the story of coping with breast cancer in a highly novel fashion. Nelson said a fundraiser for a cure will be held in conjunction with the performance. Throughout the year MATS will continue its mission of "Setting the Stage" by travelling to venues both in Minot and far afield.
"We're taking the One-Acts to Stanley," Nelson said, referring to the set of two to four one-act plays the group keeps active annually for taking out of town. "The One-Acts allow people with less time available to commit to a show without a full-length production rehearsal and performance schedule," she said. "It gives more opportunity for volunteering backstage, too."
The group also takes murder mystery dinners to events from Christmas parties to reunions. MATS is rebuilding its personnel following the flood. "We're fortunate that we didn't lose any props," she said, "but we did lose a number of people who went out of town."
MATS is recruiting for its board as well, and those interested may contact Nelson at 833-0619.