Dakota Stage Presents
Suite Surrender
Directed by Gil Kuntz
Dakota Stage Playhouse
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About the Show
It’s 1942, and two of Hollywood’s biggest divas have descended upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel — assistants, luggage, and legendary feud with one another in tow. Everything seems to be in order for their wartime performance…that is, until they are somehow assigned to the same suite. Mistaken identities, overblown egos, double entendres, and a lap dog named Mr. Boodles round out this hilarious riot of a love note to the classic farces of the 30s and 40s.
Run Time
Approximately 90 minutes. No intermission.Content Advisory
Some mild adult language.Auditions
Audition Days
March 24, 2025: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Auditions are at Dakota Stage on Sunday, March 23rd and Monday, March 24, 2025 with callbacks by invitation on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025. Auditions are from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. If you cannot make it to these auditions but would like to audition before Thursday, March 26th, 2025, please contact stage manager Lex Belile at lex.belile@dakotastage.org to arrange a time.
Rehearsals are planned to be March 30-May 7, Mondays through Thursdays starting no sooner than 6:30PM and ending no later than 9:30PM, with the occasional Sunday rehearsal as needed at times to be determined. Performances are May 8-18, 2025. When filling out an audition form, please be sure to note any known scheduling conflicts during these times.
It is unlikely that every cast member will need to attend every rehearsal for the full duration during the period of regular rehearsals.
All auditions will consist of cold/lukewarm readings of the script together with other auditioners, but you are welcome to bring prepared material if you desire.
Singers and piano players of all skill levels and experience are strongly encouraged to audition, but no musical experience is required.
Dakota Stage Limited greatly values all our volunteers’ time and talents. Any implications about gender or age of characters from the descriptions or in the script should be considered flexible. If you grace us with an audition, we may consider you for any role and you may be offered a role you were not expecting to be offered.
Roles
Seeking a group of nine wonderful humans to fill the following roles for Dakota Stage Limited’s production of Suite Surrender:
BERNARD S. DUNLAP
A dapper man in his 50s, he is the General Manager of the Palm Beach Royale. He is beautifully dressed and has all the attitude of someone of his position. Yet, somewhere under the surface of his polished demeanor and perfectly pressed suit, is a hysteric screaming to come out.
CLAUDIA MCFADDEN
America’s Beloved Matron of Song. She is an impressive woman. Larger than life. Every word, every gesture is an exclamation point.
ATHENA SINCLAIR
A Great Star of Stage and Screen. She is quite beautiful, elegant and every inch the diva Claudia McFadden is.
MURPHY STEVENS
Athena’s personal secretary. Young, pretty, and very efficient.
MR. PIPPET
Claudia’s private personal male secretary. Compared to his employer, he is a tiny man.
DORA DEL RIO
The quintessential gossip reporter. She is Hedda Hopper on speed.
MRS. EVERETT P. OSGOOD
She is President of the Palm Beach Ladies for Unity and a dozen organizations like it. She is matronly and stylish and always a bit daft. One of the First Ladies of Palm Beach Society, she looks at the War Effort as if it were one of her cotillions.
FRANCIS and OTIS
The comic relief duo of bellhops responsible for plenty of hijinks while retaining their good natures.
Volunteers
Sign upUshers are responsible for scanning tickets, helping patrons to their seats, and cleaning the theater after the show. As a thank you, you can enjoy the show for free!
Cast & Crew
Lee Christianson
Francis
Read biography Lee Christianson
Francis
Lee is thrilled to be making his debut with Dakota Stage. His previous credits include "Misery" and "Diabolique" with TruNorth Theatre. He is incredibly grateful to Gil for the opportunity to join such a talented and welcoming group, who have made him feel right at home from the start. Lee would like to thank his wife, family, and friends for their constant support in helping him step outside his comfort zone.
Juan Gelpi
Otis
Read biography Juan Gelpi
Otis
Juan is so excited to return to Dakota Stage. He has been seen in Bismarck in Sweeney Todd, Hamlet, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He had the role of Mr. Pendleton in Choir Boy at the Little Theatre of Norfolk. He was last seen in The Crucible at Dakota Stage. Juan divides his time between Bismarck and Virginia Beach. He would like to thank his beloved wife Barbara and his ridiculous wiener dogs Bruno and Berta.
Mark Hasbargen
Mr. Dunlap
Read biography Mark Hasbargen
Mr. Dunlap
Welcome to another wild ride at Dakota Stage! I'm so very pleased to be a part of this show and MORE than pleased to share this time and stage with this group of talented and fun actors. I've been a part of the Dakota Stage community for fourteen years. This is my eighteenth show with DSL, the most recent of which were last season's "A Christmas Carol", "The Underpants", and "Wait Until Dark". This is my escape from my day job (computer programmer at N.I.S.C. in Mandan) and I'm so glad you've come to spend this time with us.
Julie Wolf
Mrs. Osgood
Read biography Julie Wolf
Mrs. Osgood
Julie Wolf is delighted to appear as Mrs. Everett P. Osgood in “Suite Surrender,” which is her 45thperformance with Dakota Stage since 1988. She was last seen in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” at TruNorth Theatre and “Church Basement Ladies” at DSL. Other favorite roles include Phyllis in “Twilight of the Golds” (where she won a Brady Award as Best Supporting Actress) and Florence Unger in “The Odd Couple-Female Version.” Julie has acted in and directed area Lenten dramas and has performed with Capitol Shakespeare, the Bismarck Civic Choir, Bismarck State College, and Players Dinner Theatre. Many thanks for the love and support of her husband, Brian; son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Sarah Wolf; and son, Dustin Wolf. Special thanks go to her beloved parents, Charles and Helen Stucy, who supported her in all her endeavors.
Samantha Schauer
Dora
Read biography Samantha Schauer
Dora
Samantha Schauer stars as Dora Del Rio in Suite Surrender, marking her debut with Dakota Stage. With roots in Valley City's children's summer theater, Samantha has been passionate about acting since 2nd grade. After continuing her theater journey in high school, she's thrilled to return to the stage after over a decade away.
Samantha extends her gratitude to the director and cast for their warmth and support, as well as to her family, friends, and husband for always cheering her on.
Rebecca Wilhelmi
Claudia
Read biography Rebecca Wilhelmi
Claudia
Rebecca is happy to be back on the DSL stage for this hilarious production. She began acting in middle school, appearing in multiple shows through the years in her hometown of Pierre, SD. In Bismarck she has previously appeared in "Young Frankenstein" (2016), "First Date the Musical" (2020), "Marvin’s Room" (2023), "Sweeney Todd" (2023), and "Hamlet" (2024). She has also been an active member of the Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus since 2015. She would also like to shout out her friends and family who support her!
TJ Doll
Pippet
Read biography TJ Doll
Pippet
TJ has been involved in several productions on and off stage. He loves the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities to learn. He is ceaselessly amazed at the talent in the community, and how strangers can come together in a few short weeks to accomplish the incredible as a team.
Brianna Mundt
Athena
Read biography Brianna Mundt
Athena
Brianna Mundt is thrilled to be back on the Dakota Stage. Her previous experiences at DSL include "Boeing Boeing" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof". She would like to extend her heartfelt thanks to the cast and crew for their warm welcome back to the theatre, as well as to her family and friends for their unwavering support.
Heather Christianson
Murphy
Read biography Heather Christianson
Murphy
Heather Christianson is excited to showcase her debut performance here at Dakota Stage and is thrilled to work with such a great cast and crew on this amazing and funny show. Heather enjoys tennis, reading and her pets. She would like to thank her son Cooper for his never-ending love and support.
Production Team
Director
Gil Kuntz
Stage Manager
Lex Belile
Master Costumer
Amanda Perry, Greta Sandel
Scenic Designer
Brian Nelson
Master Carpenter
Jason Bryhn
Technical Designer
Gil Kuntz
Photographer
Tom Chase
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