Lyceum Theatre, Arrow Rock Missouri:

Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Producing Artistic Director Quin Gresham Set to Helm Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Producing Artistic Director Quin Gresham Set to Helm Alabama Shakespeare Festival

New Lyceum Artistic Director Search Announced Soon

ARROW ROCK, MO, September 3, 2024. — After 19 seasons advancing the artistic legacy of the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Producing Artistic Director Quin Gresham takes his final bow in October, having accepted the position of artistic director at Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

“My time in Arrow Rock has been personally and professionally transformative. Curating and fostering storytelling in such an unlikely setting has been and will always be an inspiration, but doing that work with such hardworking and sincerely wonderful people has amplified the magic tenfold. If The Lyceum can draw loving and appreciative audiences to Arrow Rock, population 56, I can’t help but believe that anything is possible,” said Gresham.

Quin first came to The Lyceum as an actor in 1999 and has appeared in more than 50 productions, including Noises Off this past August. In 2004 he was tapped to become The Lyceum’s associate artistic director, but when longtime Lyceum favorite Phillip Coffield faced a mounting health crisis during his first season as artistic director, Gresham stepped into the lead role, becoming just the fourth artistic leader in The Lyceum’s storied history.

During his twenty years with The Lyceum, Gresham has overseen a previously unimaginable expansion of The Lyceum’s artistic quality, including scores of Broadway veterans, the addition of live orchestras for the musical offerings, first-rate creative and production teams, and programming specifically geared to young audiences. In addition to Gresham’s tireless work for The Lyceum, he has directed at other theatres and universities around the country and, as an engaged member of the mid-Missouri community, has served on several boards and committees including DeafLEAD, J. Huston Tavern Society, Missouri Citizens for the Arts, and the Arrow Rock Improvement Committee, and was the 2020 recipient of the Missouri Arts Award for Leadership in the Arts.

Gresham also helped The Lyceum weather numerous challenges, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. During the shutdown, he developed, directed, and performed a virtual presentation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol that warmed the hearts of longtime Lyceum patrons and also garnered new fans around the country. After the pandemic, while many American theatres sadly shuttered their doors for good, “Lady Lyceum” has remained a vital arts organization and has consistently seen its attendance numbers rise. Thanks to Gresham’s leadership, with his partner, longtime Managing Director Steve Bertani, The Lyceum is in its strongest financial position in its more than 60-year history.

“Quin has been a transformational leader at The Lyceum, and I am grateful for his years of providing artistic excellence on our stage,” said Bertani. “It has been a privilege to partner with him for the past 18 years, and I will miss him dearly. I wish him the best of luck on this amazing new opportunity with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.” When asked about the future of The Lyceum, Bertani added, “As we begin our search for a new artistic director, we have a wonderful team in place to carry out our core mission and deliver the quality of theatre you’ve come to expect at The Lyceum.”

The Lyceum’s Board of Directors will soon announce plans for the search for a new artistic director. The Lyceum’s 2024 season will continue with Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure September 6 – 15 and Million Dollar Quartet September 27 – October 6, and Gresham will return to Arrow Rock this winter to direct the 10^th anniversary production of his acclaimed adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which will perform December 13 – 22. The Lyceum’s exciting 2025 season – the last season programmed by Gresham – will be announced in late September and will open in June of 2025.

“Quin’s announcement is truly bittersweet for me,” said Dave Griggs, President of The Lyceum’s Board of Directors. “The bitter part is that we are losing an amazing gentleman who, as we say, creates magic on our stage. The sweet part is that Quin is moving on to an outstanding opportunity, and he is truly deserving of that. I had the privilege of hiring him and convincing him that he could fill the role of our artistic director, and over the last 20 years I have had the honor of collaborating with him and watching our Lady Lyceum transform into a nationally recognized theatre.” Griggs shared a rosy outlook for the future. “The Lyceum is on track for the best attended season in history. We just broke the all-time record for season ticket holders. We are in the process of a Master Plan for our campus. We just remodeled our auditorium with 416 new seats. To achieve those milestones, and so many more, is a testament to Quin, Steve, and our truly unmatched team. Quin is leaving our organization in the best overall condition in history. We will miss him, but I know he will always be on our team if we need him, and we wish him only the best.”

Alabama Shakespeare Festival was founded in a high school auditorium in 1972, received the designation as the State Theatre of Alabama in 1977, and built its current home — a stunning $21.5 million performing arts complex — in 1985. ASF broadens the cultural identity of the South by producing classics, Shakespeare, contemporary plays, musicals, theatre for young audiences, and exciting new works.

The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), professional theater located in the historic 19th-century village of Arrow Rock, Missouri. The Lyceum has been entertaining audiences for more than six decades, producing musicals, dramas, and comedies. Each year, this 416-seat theater attracts professional actors, designers, stage managers, directors, and technicians who take residence in Arrow Rock to bring patrons Broadway-caliber productions.

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The Lyceum presents Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure

The Lyceum presents Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure

Arrow Rock, MO, August 29, 2024. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are heading to mid-Missouri for their next case when the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre presents Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure, September 6–15. Tony-winning playwright Ken Ludwig has put a comedic twist on your favorite Sherlock Holmes characters. In this light-hearted caper, an investigation into the Bohemian king’s stolen letters cascades into an international mystery filled with spies, blackmail, and intrigue. With world peace at stake, Holmes and Watson join forces with American actress Irene Adler to take down cunning criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty and his network of devious henchmen. Five versatile actors, playing more than 30 roles, lead the audience through this new adventure.

Lyceum veteran Jeffrey C. Wolf returns to Arrow Rock to play the intrepid Sherlock Holmes. His recent Lyceum appearances include roles in Our Town, Charlie’s Aunt and Elvis the Musical. Most recently, he appeared in regional productions of Clue and as Sherlock Holmes in Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville. His Off-Broadway credits include The Mound Builders. Look for him on major digital platforms as a supporting lead in the sci-fi film “Alterscape.”

Komi M. Gbeblewou portrays Dr. Watson. He was seen earlier this seasonas Frederick Fellowes in the Lyceum production of Noises Off. He recently appeared as the French King in Henry V and Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, both at The Old Globe in San Diego.

Lyceum favorite Mallory Hawks takes on the roles of Irene Adler, Mrs. Hudson, Cartwright, and others. Her previous Lyceum roles include Poppy Norton-Taylor in Noises Off, Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in The 39 Steps, Mary in Mary Poppins, Jo in Little Women, and Mrs. White in Clue. She has appeared Off-Broadway in Seussical, String, and Sam’s Room.

Another actor making his return to the Lyceum is Daniel Harray who will appear in several roles including Moriarty, Von Ormstein, Mycroft, and others. Daniel has appeared in Lyceum productions of A Christmas Carol, Charley’s Aunt, Our Town, Murder on the Orient Express, and The 39 Steps. Other acting credits include the Off-Broadway production of The 39 Steps and regional productions of As You Like It and The Importance of Being Earnest.

Sarah Smith makes her Lyceum debut as Daisy, Mrs. Barabas, Hilda Klebb, and others. She spent five years touring North America with the Broadway National Tours of Mamma Mia! and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She recently played Martha Watson in a production of White Christmas, and other New York credits include Urinetown, and Ragtime.

Tim Seib directs this production of Moriarty. He most recently directed Clue at Totem Pole Playhouse and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Theatre Raleigh. He has worked with notable companies such as Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, 5-Star Theatricals, La Mirada Theatre, Heritage Theatre Festival, Casa Manana, The O’Neill Center, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, Ozark Actor’s Theatre, Storm Theatre, Wings Theatre, Festival 56, The Gorilla Theater, Center Theatre Company, The Universal Theatre Festival, and Emerging Artists Theatre.

The production team also includes Scenic Designer Ryan J. Zirngibl, Costume Designer Garth Dunbar, Lighting Designer Christopher Brusberg, Sound Designer Gianna Agostino, Production Stage Manager Tony Dearing, and Assistant Stage Manager Delaney Dunster.

This production is rated PG. Single tickets for Moriarty are $45 for adults, with senior, student/child, and public safety discounts available. Show dates are September 6–15. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and matinees begin at 2 p.m. For tickets, visit LyceumTheatre.org or call 660-837-3311.

The Lyceum Theatre is affiliated with Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and the lighting designer is a member of United Scenic Artists.

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Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Presents Noises Off

Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Presents Noises Off

Arrow Rock, MO, August 12, 2024. The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre pulls back the curtain on theatre life with the quirky, riotously funny Noises Off. The show, which runs from August 17–25, is a play-within-a-play that reveals the craziness behind the scenes of an eccentric British theatre troupe at three points during their tour: final dress rehearsal, opening night, and toward the end of a disastrous run. An impulsive director, two overworked stage managers, and unpredictable actors make for a hilariously volatile mix, especially when their personal lives start to mirror the insanity in the play. Throw in some defective doorknobs, dropped trousers, and far too many plates of sardines, and you’ll see why the Tony Award-nominated Noises Off has been called “the funniest farce ever written.”

The cast includes five veterans of the Lyceum stage. Jean McCormick portrays Dotty Otley. She appeared in this season’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and has been seen previously in Lyceum productions of State Fair, Our Town, Cinderella, 9 to 5, Sister Act, All Shook Up, and Murder on the Orient Express. The Lyceum’s producing artistic director Quin Gresham shows off his acting chops in the role of Lloyd Dallas. Quin has appeared in more than 50 productions at The Lyceum since 1999. Favorite roles include Clown 2 in The 39 Steps, Dr. Bird in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Arles etc. in all four Greater Tuna comedies, and Simon Stimson in Our Town. Michael Thanh Tran, as Tim Algood, is familiar to Lyceum audiences from his roles in Charley’s Aunt and Our Town. His recent work includes appearances at the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival in King Lear and Much Ado About Nothing. Alan Knoll’s appearance as Selsdon Mowbray in Noises Off marks his 20^th Lyceum production. Those productions include Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Singin’ in the Rain, Barefoot in the Park, Dracula, The Mousetrap, and many others. Mallory Hawks returns to Arrow Rock to portray Poppy Norton-Taylor. Her favorite roles of seasons past include Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in The 39 Steps, Mary in Mary Poppins, Jo in Little Women, and Mrs. White in Clue.

Four actors make their Lyceum debut in this production. Chris Crawford, as Garry Lejeune, has been seen off-Broadway in Goodbye, and in regional and touring productions of Hello, Tamburlaine the Great, Edward II, Boeing-Boeing, and Noises Off. Halley Electra Mayo plays Belinda Blair. Her regional credits include productions at TheatreSquared, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, Great Plains Theatre, and Sierra Repertory Theatre, and she appeared in the national tour of A Christmas Carol. Komi M. Gbeblewou, as Frederick Fellowes, recently appeared as the French King in Henry V and Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, both at The Old Globe in San Diego. Saige Smith plays the part of Brooke Ashton. She has appeared in regional productions of The Color Purple, Sister Act, Puffs, Kinky Boots, and A Musical Christmas Carol at Pittsburgh CLO and many more.

This production is directed by Morgan Hicks. She is a co-founder of TheatreSquared, where she currently serves as the arts engagement director. Her regional directing credits include Murder for Two, The Dingdong, Noises Off, Boeing Boeing, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Clue, and The Tempest. She serves as an associate professor and head of the MFA Directing program at the University of Arkansas.

The production team also includes Scenic Designer Ryan J. Zirngibl, Costume Designer Garth Dunbar, Lighting Designer Shawn Irish, Sound Designer Jon Robertson, Fight Choreographer Paul Denhardt, Asssistant Fight Choreographer Jean Kerr, Production Stage Manager Tony Dearing, and Assistant Stage Manager Katy McGlaughlin.

This production is rated PG. Single tickets for Noises Off are $45 for adults, with senior, student/child, and public safety discounts available. Show dates are August 17–July 25. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and matinees begin at 2 p.m. For tickets, visit LyceumTheatre.org or call 660-837-3311.

The Lyceum Theatre is affiliated with Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The Fight Choreographer is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

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