From the Tower Window

The fourth year of summer theatre in Random Lake was a time of growth for the Lakeshore Productions, Inc. board of directors, who now carried the full responsibility for all aspects of the show. It was the Greek philosopher Plato who said that "necessity is the mother of invention," and that's just what happened in 1999.

Instead of another Broadway musical, director Stephan Kiszely and the board decided to assemble their own show consisting of four fairy tales. From The Tower Window was selected as a general title. Since there is no "official" version of any fairy tale, the staff and cast created their own dialogue and characters. A musical score was put together by writing original lyrics to familiar songs. Rev. June Bro was the musical director, and Lori Schmitt served as choreographer.

The result ranks as the most creative show by Lakeshore Productions, Inc. although it could not reach the audience appeal of a Wizard of Oz or a Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Narrators Leslie Langan-Gluck and Peggy Strang kept the story moving.

Sleeping Soundly offered a modern version of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, which dates back to 1697 and was later popularized by the Brothers Grimm. The lead role of Briar Rose was played by Vanessa Vidal.

Clever Elsa is another fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. Erin Hagel played the title role with Ross Beimling as her suitor.

The Emperor's New Clothes is a Hans Christian Anderson tale with Bob Deyo in the title role. His tailors included Rita Horstmeier and Sandi Wulff.

The Pied Piper of Hamelin featured Noel Peterson in the title role (and 13 rats) together with a host of townspeople.

With the production of From The Tower Window the Lakeshore Productions, Inc. board learned much about what it takes to produce a major summer musical. Most important, the tradition of Random Lake summer theatre stayed alive.