ST. CROIX ARTBARN OCTOBER 2006 PRESS RELEASE

Dear Friends, Please help us promote this ArtBarn Benefit to help reduce the debt on our addition. Many thanks for your help and support, Ellen
Johnson, Program Director

ArtBarn Presents Audience-Participation Dinner Theatre

ArtBarn Theatre will present the world premiere of a "trial by jury" murder mystery, Two Guys in Beige. Adapted for the stage by Ellen and Neil Johnson, Osceola, the production is based on a story by Marine-on-St.Croix resident, Don Maurer. The setting is the Clamton Wisconsin Historical Society's Annual Clam Chowder Festival where a murder takes place. Twin brothers, Arnie and Barnie Beige, from the Guys in Beige Effective Detective Agency end up being key witnesses at the trial when their client is accused of killing his wife. Will the sleuths uncover the real murderer's identity? Audience members are randomly summoned to serve on the jury. Will one of them be you?

The cast includes Gary Anderson and Bill Buell, New Richmond;Ellen Johnson, Micah Johnson, and Pam Kammerud, Osceola; Chad Leonard, Amery; Danette Roberts, Dresser; Carla Kelley, Deer Park; Kathy Trombly-Ferrin, Marine-on-St. Croix; and Mike Traner, Scandia.

This audience participation dinner theatre production will be presented at St. Croix ArtBarn, 1040 Oak Ridge Drive, Osceola, Fridays and Saturdays, September 28 and 29 and October 5 and 6. and at The SPACE, 156 High Street, New Richmond, Saturday, October 13 and Fridays and Saturdays, October 19-20 and 26-27. Doors open at both venues at 6:30 PM. The menu includes appetizers, salad, World Famous Clamton Clam Chowder (or potato soup), drink, and dessert. Dinner theatre tickets are $25 with all proceeds designated to benefit the ArtBarn Addition loan retirement. For reservations at ArtBarn, please call 715-294-2787 or visit www.stcroixartbarn.com; at The SPACE call 715- 246-3180 or visit www.spaceforcreativity.com

Two Guys in Beige
“Trial by Jury” Murder Mystery Theatre by Ellen & Neil Johnson
based on a story by Don Maurer
“Trials are too important to be left to juries.” Honorable Clyde P. Cornwall VI
September 28 & 29 & October 5 & 6, St. Croix ArtBarn, Osceola
October 13, 19 & 20 & 26 & 27, The SPACE, New Richmond
CAST
Beverly Bockman, President of the Clamton Historical Society: Kathy Trombly-Ferrin
Pearl White, President of the Mother of Pearls Society: Cindy Lyon
Abner Normal Folkes, President of the non-profit GRUPS: Neil Johnson
Honorable Clyde P. Cornwall VI, Mayor of Clamton: Bill Buell
Shirley Siefreide Cornwall, the Mayor’s wife: Carla Kelley
Clementine Straightenriche, James Straighenriche’s wife, author & socialite: Danette Roberts
Bernard “Barnie” Beige, an identical twin, private detective & coroner: Micah Johnson
Arnold “Arnie” Beige, an identical twin, private detective: Chad Leonard
James Straightenriche, local banker and civic leader: Gary Anderson
Bailey Bailiff: Pam Kammerud
Mr. Steven Diction, Attorney: Mike Traner
Ms. L. O. Cution, Attorney: Ellen Johnson
Madeline Innocenti, James Straightenriche’s office assistant: Danette Roberts
SETTING: The Clamton County Courthouse, Clamton, Wisconsin, at the 201st or 110th Annual Clamton County Historical Society Clam Chowder Festival & Knitting Retreat
MENU: Appetizers, salad, bread, crackers World Famous Clamton Clam Chowder (or potato soup,) drink, & dessert.
PROGRAM: Welcome, dinner, & murder; trial; intermission with dessert; conclusion

CREW
Producers   Ellen & Neil Johnson, Micah Johnson, Don Maurer
Food & Decorations Judy Maurer, Charlotte Wilcox, Hazle Cain Johnson, Al Johnson
    Common Harvest Farm, Dan Guenthner & Margaret Pennings
Servers   Cast & Friends of ArtBarn
Box Office & Publicity Don Maurer, Sue Mason, Bill Buell, Bill Mason, Hannah Johnson
Grounds   Bernie Beyl, Sue Gavin, Bea Anderson
PRODUCTION NOTES
What you are about to experience tonight is the brainchild of Don Maurer. It is two years in the making. It started out as an idea to create a “trial by jury” mystery theatre which would involve local community members and allow for audience participation. In the process, the concept has materialized into a full-fledged dinner theatre production—thanks to the help and guidance of Judy Maurer—with the intent to raise funds to benefit the ArtBarn 2002 addition loan retirement—the fourth such event produced in 2007. ArtBarn wants to thank all the people below for their help and support and vision—and thank you for coming. Hopefully this will be just the beginning of annual ArtBarn dinner theatre productions. We hope that you enjoy your evening. With sincere thanks, Ellen Johnson, Program Director
THANK YOUS
Don & Judy Maurer    John & Marie Schillberg
       St. Croix ArtBarn Board of Directors        The SPACE: Bill & Gail Buell, Melissa Huber
John & Karla Jenkins Sharon & Dwight Dole ArtBarn Playbill Sponsors
    Osceola Community Fund     Families of the Cast      AnnMarie Foundation
Hugh J. Andersen Foundation   Andersen Corporate Foundation
John Doar Foundation Chad & Beth Leonard Wisconsin Arts Board
St. Croix Valley Community Fund with funds from the State of Wisconsin
The Sun/The Country Messenger Christ Lutheran Church, Marine on St. Croix