31-03-2025
Rochester production wins state theater competition
Mar. 31—ROCHESTER — For the cast of Absolute Theatre's run of "Forever Plaid," the show title is fitting. They began rehearsing the show in February 2024 and, after performances around Rochester and winning Minnesota Association of Community Theatres, were back in rehearsal at the end of March this year, 2025.
"It's 'Forever Plaid' forever," joked Matthew Sather, one of the four members of the ensemble.
In this case, the show is a victim of its own success. The cast was at director Suzie Hansen's home for a brush-up rehearsal to prepare to compete in the American Association of Community Theatre regional competition in Newton, Iowa April 3 — 5. The cast, crew and pianist earned a slot at regionals having won "best of fest" among other honors at the Minnesota Association of Community Theatres competition in Duluth March 9.
However, a year and some change isn't a long time to be performing the show compared to how long Hansen has been looking for a cast with the skills to put on the show.
"It's a show I've wanted to do for a long time," said Hansen, founding director of Absolute Theatre.
The show calls for four people capable of singing the lead, tenor, baritone and bass parts as well as acting.
"I waited a long time for some of you to show up," Hansen told the cast before a brush-up rehearsal at her home.
Hansen said it was luck and timing finding four people whose voices blend, a talented piano player who stays on his toes behind the keys and a good choreographer to come together for one show.
The cast chemistry came together immediately, Hansen said.
"You'd think they'd known each other forever," she said.
"We found that the four of us just blended well musically," Sather said. "But at the risk of sounding cheesy, we blend well as friends."
Cast member Brady Helget, who performed in college said the show has been a fun opportunity to have musical performance back in his life.
"We definitely did not expect to be doing it this long, but it's definitely a pleasant surprise," Helget said. He joined the cast with Ryhlan Peterson, whom he met while they were both attending Luther College in Decorah, Iowa before moving to Minnesota.
"It's a good way to end your day," Peterson said about the evening rehearsals. "It's nice doing something that's really meaningful."
Hansen recruited the fourth cast member, Riley Thompson, from the Rochester Choral Arts Ensemble.
"Becoming one of the "plaids" has been a fun experience," Thompson said, adding he wasn't sure if Hansen would have taken "no" for an answer.
Hansen along with Stef Stafford were recognized for outstanding achievement for ensemble work and choreographer Missy Hagen was recognized for best choreography at the state competition. If the group wins at the regional level, they would qualify to move on to a national competition which is being held this year in Des Moines, Iowa.
"That's a big 'if' though," Sather said.
