Theatre du Mississippi Launches 25th Season with “Return Engagement”

Theatre du Mississippi is pleased to kick-off its 25th anniversary season with “Return Engagement,” a work by local playwright Kathleen Kenney-Peterson.

Michael Fitzpatrick, a favorite actor of Winona’s Great River Shakespeare Festival, will play the lead role.

The play tells the story of Richard, a gay New York stage actor who has developed multiple sclerosis and is forced to move back to his small Minnesota hometown.  It explores his struggles dealing with a chronic illness, and the difficulties of reconnecting with his family, who now are tasked with helping him. With honesty and humor, the play explores how a life-changing event can open unexpected windows in one’s life, and that it’s never too late to discover a new perspective on one’s family relationships or even one’s hometown.  

Director Daryl Lanz, owner of Chapter 2 Books in Winona, has directed several local plays in the past.  “Working on a new play can be challenging but also very exciting” Lanz says. “Knowing that the cast and crew are the first group to take on this work is a very special feeling.”  Theatre Du Mississippi advises that the play contains adult language throughout.

Tickets for “Return Engagement” are $15 online at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/return-engagement-tickets-717429219107, $15 cash or check at Chapter 2 Books (125 E. 3rd Street, Winona), and No Name Bar (252 East 3rd Street, Winona), or $20 at the door.

Performances of “Return Engagement” will be held at the Valencia Arts Center, 1164 W. Howard Street, on the following dates:  Friday & Saturday, September 29 & 30 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, October 1 at 2:00 PM; Friday & Saturday, October 6 & 7 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, October 8 at 2:00 PM.  For more information, please email [email protected] or call 507-218-7767.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.  SEMAC activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the MN State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. 

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