Theatre without Walls:
We play where story lives.
The Cream of Wheat Caper:
A melodrama on the Red River
About the play
The western part of North Dakota is excellent at promoting the history of that region: Medora Musical, complete with singers on horses, the steak fondue cowboy supper, and the opening of the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential library, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Badlands. However, here on the eastern side of the state we have interesting stuff, too!
While the land here is not a dramatic as that on the opposite side of the state, the prairies have their own peaceful beauty. Instead of cowboys we had steamboat captains, like Alexander Griggs. When Grand Forks was incorporated as a city in 1881, the steamboats chugged along the Red River delivering agricultural products to Canada. The railroad was well established in Grand Forks in 1887 and soon put the steamboats out of business. In 1893, Cream of Wheat was invented in GF and introduced at the World's Fair. It became a huge hit -- becoming the number one hot, breakfast cereal in the country -- promptly moving to Minneapolis.
But like we said, stuff happened here and our little melodrama intends to celebrate les Grande Fourches this summer with live theatre!
Disclaimer:
While the play is enriched by history, we've taken some liberties with the characters, events, oh, and the plot is pure fiction. Yes, there was a Cream of Wheat heiress -- Ann Amidon, but she was never abducted and tied to the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks. Dakota Lynn is pure fabrication, although inspired by Calamity Jane (who is a SD gal). But Captain Alexander Grigg's arrival is true -- um, sorta. (Rumored to be true? ) Well, it makes for a good story. So, there.
Audience participation:
In the tradition of melodramas everywhere, audiences are invited to "boo" and throw peanuts when the villain enters, cheer for the hero, and sing along to timeless classics when invited to do so. (But don't sing unless we ask you. That would be weird.)
Oh, and there will be puppets (created by Oliver Hubert). And food for sale.
Not a steak fondue supper but something even better. Yeah! Served by steam boat sailors! And you'll be able to stick a fork in it -- maybe even two forks! Definitely grand forks.
Yes, you can bring family members of all ages to this show. But you have to take them home after. The Cream of Wheat Caper is unique and silly and full of history lessons you'll never forget. Even if you try.
August 15-16; 22-23.
Myra Museum grounds.
Grand Forks, ND.
Cast - To be announced.
Director & Playwright
Kathleen Coudle-King has long been intrigued by the things we don't talk about, the stories we don't share, and has made it her life's work to add breath to those words. To say them out loud is to reduce their hold over us. Break their spell.
Kathleen has written plays about teens who were sent away to "homes for unwed mothers" (St. Bette's) dating violence (Look Away), the stories of women political prisoners in Uruguay (Compañeras), and homelessness (In Search of Perephone). She earned a B.F.A. from NYU's TSOA in Dramatic Writing, then promptly moved to North Dakota. (A story for a different time.) There she enrolled in grad school, earning an M.A. in English from the U. of ND. Kathleen currently serves as the Managing Artistic Director for the Empire Theatre Co. in Grand Forks, ND, where she directs plays regularly.
Please visit her site at www.coudle-king.com