Minnewaska Showstoppers celebrate another year of local theater with the upcoming 2023 winter dinner show at Lakeside

Minnewaska Showstoppers (MSS) is proud to present their newest production, “Hit the Road Jack,” a dinner theater performance that will take place at the Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27-28. 

Originally scheduled for last year, “Hit the Road Jack,” is a performance two years in the making. The show’s production endured challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in organizational leadership to the loss of an old friend, Irma Sivertson. Irma dedicated many years of service to Showstoppers and was well-known and loved by many.

MSS Board President, Mandy Recker, speaks of this year’s performance, “It’s extra special for a couple of reasons. We were all very sad to see Irma pass last year. The board voted unanimously to dedicate this year’s winter performance to her and her years of devotion to Showstoppers,” she said.  “It has taken a lot to get to where we are, but we are grateful to finally bring the public this night of performing arts, great food, and quality entertainment!”

Show times are Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan.  28. The Lakeside ballroom doors will open to the public at 5 p.m. Happy hour begins at 5p.m, and dinner is served at 6 p.m. This year’s meal will be a savory Gouda bacon chicken served with red potatoes and vegetables, courtesy of Lakeside. Show time is at 7 p.m.

Buy tickets in advance

Tickets are $30 and include one show ticket and one dinner.  There will be no tickets available at the door prior to the performance. Dinner show tickets are sold in advance to obtain accurate meal counts. Visit minnewaskashowstoppers.org to purchase tickets online. Buy tickets in person by visiting Emily at Verge of Fantastic during any of the following times: Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Verge of Fantastic is located at 22 1st Street Southeast in downtown Glenwood. Over-the-phone ticket orders will also be accepted from Monday through Friday from 5 p.m.–8 p.m. by calling (320) 270–1244.

This year’s production is directed by Minnewaska Showstoppers’ Board member and longtime supporter, Ted Halvorson. 

The cast members include Lillian Merton as Shari Opdahl, Mavis Pattee as Opal Dearborn, Mark Wilson as Trevor Gunderson, Scott Banta as Jack Gunderson, Olivia Kahrs as Officer Monica Palmer, Emily Fickes as Joyce Nivens, Mark Halvorson as Mac McKendrick, Curt Bredeson as Graham Bremer, Eric Randleman as Chief Milt Noonan, Martha Fletcher as Flo Delaney, and Barb Ostrander as Teri Higham.

“Hit the Road Jack” Story Synopsis: 

Jack and Trevor have run the Gunderson Driving Academy for years, and they are desperately trying to find a way to keep it from closing. A history of bad driving records and an unruly set of students and employees, including a mysterious man named Mac, have nearly led to their ruin. But things pick up when cutie-pie Joyce shows up for driver’s training. Unfortunately, a bank robbery next door quickly shatters the tentative peace and throws suspicion on the cash-strapped duo. Lines fly faster than fleeing pedestrians when the police arrive along with a news crew to pick up the juicy story. Who robbed the bank, who is going to pay for all the traffic tickets, and who on earth is Mac?!

“Hit the Road Jack” was written by Pat Cook. Performances produced by special arrangement with Heuer Publishing LLC of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.