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Reception
By Downton Productions
Created by Dennis Johnston
Playing at
Show Description
RECEPTION is a comedy-drama about family, acceptance, and Star Wars. A couple faces disapproval from both of their families during a Star Wars-themed wedding, which could end the marriage before it even begins.
Genre and Content
Content Warnings
The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 12-15 and up
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Seat Reservations and Show Tickets
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Video Trailer
Cast and Crew
Stephanie Kahle
"Carrie Maragos"Stephanie Kahle (she/her) is an Actor and Stage Manager in the Twin Cities. She graduated from University of Minnesota in 2020 with a BA Performance Creation and Management. Most recently she has worked with Sod House Theatre, Combustible Company, and an alleged Theatre Company (see their show: A Swimming Lesson in a Theatre Without a Lifeguard). She can also be seen playing Jade in EnCompass Theatre’s Funny, Like an Abortion in the Rarig Arena. When not performing she is chatting non-stop or playing with her pup Martini. Coming up: Funny, Like an Abortion MN Fringe, TABLE Sod House Theatre
Joshua Herrmann
"Mark Stillman"Joshua Herrmann is a seasoned actor who is making his first foray for Fringe Fest. As a recent graduate from Concordia University St. Paul in Theatre, Joshua has been seen in many productions on campus including Jesus Christ Superstar as Annas (Awarded Best Supporting Actor in a Musical), Don Pedro in Much Ado (Best Supporting Actor in a Play), and Father in Eurydice. He also was in the On Broadway piece for two years of Concordia’s Spring Into Dance productions. Hailing from California, his professional credits include Elf the Musical (Chadwick) and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Ensemble) at the California Theatre. Joshua’s talents go beyond onstage festivities, including experience in set building, prop artistry, and light design. When not at rehearsal Joshua works as a Universal Teller, and enjoys playing the Bass, Keys, and Ukulele. He is currently working on writing and composing a musical that he hopes to get on its feet sooner rather than later. Joshua would like to thank Dennis for writing a compelling script and the rest of the cast for being a joy to work with. Thanks go out to his mentors at Concordia University (Mark Rosenwinkel, David Mennicke, Justin Hooper) and James Griffin of Jurupa Hills High School. Love goes out to his friends and family all over the globe. Thanks for being supportive of everything that Joshua does.
Eleanor Koop
"Natalie Maragos"Eleanor is thrilled to be a part of the 2023 Minnesota Fringe Festival. She was most recently seen in Fiddler on the Roof (Grace Community Theatre), Seussical the Musical, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Open Window Theatre), Romeo, You Idiot, Antigone, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, These Shining Lives (CB Productions) and more. She trained through CB Productions and the University of Northwestern St. Paul, and plans to attend the University of Mary in Bismarck,ND starting in 2024 to study towards a double major in Dramatic Arts and Media Communications. You can also see her returning to the Open Window Theatre YAA stage at the end of August as Mrs. Bucket in Willy Wonka.
Dale Peterson
"James Maragos"Making his theatrical debut in "Reception," Dale Peterson has worked on several film and television projects. You may see Dale in such films as "Downtown Owl" starring Ed Harris and Vanessa Hudgens, and the upcoming Netflix crime drama "Marmalade" starring Aldis Hodge. Dale has also worked on several T.V. series including the History Channel's "I Was There." Dale is a Minnesota native now living in the Minneapolis area, and when the air is right you can see him flying his paramotor (picture a lawn chair with a giant fan on the back). Represented by Meredith Models and Talent, and Wehmann Models and Talent.
Sarah Broude
"Brenda Maragos"Sarah is an actor, director, and educator located in the Twin Cities and has worked with many companies in town including Park Square, Theatre Pro Rata, Sidekick Theatre, Pangea World Theatre, as well as many productions on The Crane and The Southern Theater stages. Sarah is a Teaching Artist at The Pillsbury House, Sunset Hill Elementary, and Stages Children's Theatre. Sarah is also a local acting coach and trains students of all ages and abilities in on-stage and on-camera techniques, and has been facilitating a weekly scene study class for over 2 years. Sarah is thrilled to be a part of this production, and you can see her starring in another Fringe show called, "Primary", also in the Augsburg Studio. Sarah will be reprising her role as Ann in Mary's Wondrous Body at the Elision Playhouse in early September. But first, you can catch her spinning BINGO balls at the State Fair.
Matthew Saxe
"Alex Gillis"This is Matt's 15th & 16th shows Minnesota Fringe Show since 2010. Minnesota Fringe Festival Credits: 2010: Sex, Soap, Torture, Weather (Producer, Director, Co-Writer & Lead Performer), 2011: Once Upon A CSI, 2012: Tales From A Twisted Universe, 2013: Theatre 101 & Grimm For Kids (Producer, Director, and Performer). 2014: The Jungle Book, 2015: Melancholy London, 2016: So Bright the Night. 2017: Waiting for Gygax & The Tragedy of Obi-Wan Kenobi, 2018: An Odyssey Backwards and In Heels & TITUS: Sweet Water, Silent Walks. 2019: The Viking and The Gazelle, 2020: Orzel Rising (Winner of Two Minnesota Fringe "Golden Lanyard" Awards-Audience & Artists) Nominated for Best Actor in 2022 BroadwayWorld Minneapolis/St. Paul Awards He is also performing in BALDWIN'S LAST FIRE/RECEPTION in this years Fringe. Matt is the founder of Shadow Horse Theatre and executive producer of A Drinking Game-Minnesota. Film & TV: JARHEAD, PEARL HARBOR, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL. Theme Parks: Universal Studios Hollywood-Special Effects Stages Show for 5 years. B.A. in Theatre-The University of Alabama, where he appeared in the State Premiere of ANGELS IN AMERICA. SAG-AFTRA Member since 2002—Support the SAG-AFTRA Strike. Thank you for returning to support live theatre at the Minnesota Fringe Festival!
Jessica Hanson
"Yaya"Cory Anderson
"Harry Fordham"Cory is excited to be in a Fringe show for the first time in 15 years. Previous roles include Max in Lend Me a Tenor with the Duluth Playhouse and Douglas in Seminar with Renegade Theater Company. Somewhere out there, there is a recording of a talent show where Cory did a self-choregraphed lightsaber routine set to Weird Al's "The Saga Begins", and it's probably a good thing that it's on some VHS and not on YouTube.
Dennis Johnston
"David Proust"Dennis Johnston, writer of “Reception,” is a man of many skills. He can juggle, for one. He can crochet a mean picture frame. He can play “Flight of the Bumblebee” at the drop of a hat, as long as he has his iPod with him. He once taught a bear to ski. He’s also an incredibly kind and considerate man; he’ll give you the shirt off his back, and he’s always willing to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. He’s also an eccentric dresser, wearing his shirts only on his back and constantly donning other people’s shoes. Dennis has a long history in the theatre, having written many sketches that have never been performed anywhere. He’s also an accomplished actor: His resume includes such classic productions as “Tristan and Isildur,” where he played Sauron; Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Gal Godot”; and a stage adaptation of “Jurassic Park,” as well the smash musical “Cats” and its sequel, “Hair.”
Kayleen Barlow
"Mirabelle Jade"Kayleen Barlow is a triple threat: She writes, acts, and carries a switchblade. She is a loving mother and has devoted her entire life to her children except for being involved with this show. She also loves to bake and garden, which works out when she has eaten too much cake and needs to balance it with something healthy. This is Kayleen’s first Fringe performance, but hopefully not her last. She has been developing a one-woman show for the last 90 years that encompasses all of space and time and features at least four characters: God, the Devil, Audrey Hepburn’s hair stylist, and Jane Austen reincarnated as a Jack Russell terrier.
More Information
"Reception" won third place in the 2016 Pass Area Performing Artists One-Act Play Festival in California.
You don't need to know "Star Wars" to enjoy this show. If you like humor, family drama, silly costumes, theme wedding receptions, lovers' spats, eccentric grandmothers, and jokes about fictional space-fantasy military leaders, then this is the show for you.
This is Dennis Johnston's first entry into the Minnesota Fringe Festival, and the experience has been amazing and terrifying--like jumping out of a plane with a faulty parachute and then finding that Fringe Festival organizers have an extra parachute that they give you.
Abundant thanks go to the organizers, and just as many go to the cast of "Reception," who have been wonderful to work with and provided immense help and wisdom.
