7/28/2019 DalekoArts Opens Award-Winning 1950s Musical Forever Plaid - 6.18.13

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News ReleasePress Contact: Ben Thietje

612-810-5111Ben@DalekoArts.com

Amanda White Ben Thietje 602 7th St NE, New Prague, MN 56071Co-Artistic Director Co-Artistic Director 952-314-9077 | DalekoArts.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DALEKOARTS OPENS AWARD-WINNING 1950s MUSICAL FOREVER PLAID

New Pragues professional theatre company will open its first musical July 11th

June 18th, 2013 Get out your brylcreem and dust off your Perry Como records: the Plaids are in town.

DalekoArts, the brand new ensemble company headed up by New Prague native Ben Thietje and his wife Amanda White, will

take its first crack at a musical with smash hit Forever Plaid, opening Thursday, July 11th at 7:30pm at the New PragueMiddle School.

The musical tells the story of four young singers, members of 1950s boy band Forever Plaid, killed in a car accident on theirway to the gig that would have been their big break. Theyre given the chance to come back for one final concert, and theygrab the moment in a funny, touching and memorable revue packed with tight harmonies and soaring versions of some of ourfavorite songs from the 1950s. "Forever Plaidis a wonderfully hilarious show; its innocent, fresh, goofy and great for allages. Youll be humming these songs for days, says White.

The show features New Prague native sons Ben and Toby Thietje, Minnesota stage veteran Tom Karki, and Bobby Gardner, acompany member at Minneapolis Brave New Workshop since 2006. Offstage, the foursome are also good friends. SaysGardner, The music in Forever Plaidis incredible; its a singer's dream show. I'm so excited to be working on it with my bestfriends. I feel like I'm back in college, except with way more bills and responsibilities." Ben Thietje laughs, "Right; theres achemistry thats developed in an ensemble approach to theatre. We know each other well, and we care about each other.

Theres huge trust, and it adds something unique to the work. This kind of tight, four-part harmony is also so much fun tosing especially with fantastic singers like the ones we've been lucky enough to assemble.

The show is directed by DalekoArts company member and Emmy Award winner Christine Karki, who has worked for ParkSquare Theater, The Great American History Theatre, Commonweal Theatre Company, Actors Theater, Minneapolis MusicalTheatre, Hey City Theater and others. Karki says, Forever Plaidis, at its core, about the love of music and how music hasthe power to bond, heal, transform, transport, transcend, and create lasting memories for these characters as well as forthe audience.

DalekoArts first season is sponsored by Prairie Pond Winery. The first fifty patrons to purchase tickets to opening nightsthroughout the season will also receive an invitation to an Opening Night Party hosted by Prairie Pond. "It's a perfect place tograb a glass of wine with some friends before a show," said Thietje.

White adds, And this is a great night at the theatre; bring your five-year-old, bring your mother-in-law, bring her mother-in-

law...its for everyone, and its a blast!

Individual tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased by calling 952-314-9077 or visiting DalekoArts.com.

DALEKOARTS works with professional artists to create ensemble-based live performance centered in and around New Prague,Minnesota. We are committed to being a positive force for high-quality theatrical performance and arts education. We trainand work under a great and spirited legacy: the rich artistic heritage of the Midwest.

7/28/2019 DalekoArts Opens Award-Winning 1950s Musical Forever Plaid - 6.18.13

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DalekoArts was founded in 2012 by theatre artists Ben Thietje and Amanda White. New Prague was chosen as the companyshome due to the communitys extraordinary interest in theatre, the regional growth and development it has experienced inthe last decade, and its close ties to the founders.

Daleko a Czech word meaning far away reflects New Pragues strong bohemian roots, its spatial relationship to thecultural hub that is the Twin Cities, and the ensembles desire to step back and examine the world from a new point of view.

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(Fact Sheet on Page 3)

7/28/2019 DalekoArts Opens Award-Winning 1950s Musical Forever Plaid - 6.18.13

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FOREVER PLAID

FACT SHEET

WHO: DalekoArts

Written by Stuart Ross

Performed by Bobby Gardner, Tom Karki, Ben Thietje, and Toby Thietje

Designed by Darren Hensel (sets), Merritt Rodriguez (lighting), Christine Loose (costumes),Abbee Warmboe (props), Peter Morrow (sound)

Stage Managed by Mark Tietz

Music Directed by Tony Sofie

Directed by Christine Karki

WHAT: DalekoArts presents its only musical of the 2013 inaugural season with a two-week engagement of thesmash hit 1950s musical, Forever Plaid.

WHERE: New Prague Middle School 721 Central Ave N, New Prague, MN 56071

WHEN: EIGHT PERFORMANCES ONLY: July 11-21, 2013

Thursday, July 11 @ 7:30 PM - post-show party at Prairie Pond for first 50 patrons Friday, July 12 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, July 13 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, July 14 @ 2:00 PM Thursday, July 18 @ 7:30 PM Friday, July 19 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, July 20 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, July 21 @ 2:00 PM

HOW MUCH: $12 - $15 (subject to change)

Discounts: - 15% off groups of 10 or more

PHOTOS: http://dalekoarts.com/press

TIX & INFO: 952-314-9077 DalekoArts.com