Press Release: MVLCT Announces 2023 Season
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre (MVLCT) is once again bringing big shows to a small stage.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre (MVLCT)
818-624-8597
mvlcommunitytheatre@gmail.com
Mount Vernon, IA - The upcoming MVLCT Season has expanded for 2023. Now featuring five mainstage shows, MVLCT will present a fundraising cabaret, a staged reading of the history of Mount Vernon, a summer musical steeped in fantasy, a dark and devious Shakespeare in the Park, and finally a raucous comedy about the world’s worst singer. And as if that’s not enough, they continue their weekly story time for kids. This season truly has something for everyone.
MVLCT will kick things off this year with the first annual Uptown Cabaret, two nights of musical theatre tunes performed by soloists, duets and small groups. The evenings will feature a raffle, goodies, surprises, and laughs, all while raising funds to support MVLCT. February 17 and 18 on the Uptown Stage at the First Street Community Center.
They follow that up with Treasure: A History of Mount Vernon, Iowa, a new work written by Joe Jennison and Amy White to commemorate the town’s 175th anniversary. This staged reading is produced in partnership with the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission and the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group. The play asks (and sometimes answers), what the heck is a pinhook? Is there really a guy buried under Main Street? Why did Cornell students once have to stand six feet apart — years before the pandemic? March 3-5 and 10-12 at the Uptown Stage at the First Street Community Center.
In the summer, MVLCT will present the Tony Award-winning Peter and the Starcatcher, a wildly creative take on the story of Peter Pan. The show is not so much a traditional musical as it is a play with music. Suitable for younger audiences (10 years and up) or anyone who is still young at heart. July 21-23 and 28-29 at the Uptown Stage at the First Street Community Center.
MVLCT combines a true feeling of community with thoughtfully selected shows, and a commitment to give our audiences a fantastic theatrical experience. The MVLCT board is excited to share this range of shows (historical, fantastical, horrific and hilarious) and looking forward to welcoming both old and new faces on stage and in the audience.
Mary Morgan Blacharski
President, MVLCT Board of Directors
Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble, something wicked is brewing this fall as Shakespeare in the Park returns for its third year. Presenting Macbeth, a gory and fantastical tale that ultimately shines a bright light on our darker natures. September 7-9 and 14-16 at the Outdoor Stage in historic Memorial Park.
Finally, the 2023 Season concludes with Glorious! — the true story of the world’s worst singer. Florence Foster Jenkins was a Soprano who sang to packed houses in 1940. What she lacked in skill she made up for in enthusiasm. November 10-12 and 17-18 at the Uptown Stage at the First Street Community Center.
And if you’re looking for something for the kids, every Saturday at 10:00 AM, the “Pinhook Players” present Story Time at the Mount Vernon Visitor’s Center. Each week features a handful of stories centered around a theme, read for 45 minutes to an hour — depending on the audience’s attention span. Free of charge and suitable for children ages 3+, the readings are inside when the weather is frightful, and outside when it’s delightful.
Tickets for each show are available at mvlct.com.
About MVLCT:
For over 40 years, MVLCT has collaborated with hundreds of artists to strengthen our sense of community through art and play. The mission of MVLCT is to produce quality events and promote the dramatic arts in Mount Vernon, Lisbon and the surrounding area. This is accomplished through cooperative involvement and community interaction that fosters continued growth and development of the dramatic arts.