Dakota Stage Presents
Making God Laugh
Directed by Chad Litton
Dakota Stage
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About the Show
Making God Laugh is a family comedy that takes place in four scenes, each ten years apart, set at various holidays. Starting in 1980, the newly “launched” kids – a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former star football player – all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives.
The “empty nest” parents contend with their own changes too, as old family rituals and dubious recipes are trotted out and ancient tensions flare up. Over the course of thirty years’ worth of celebrations – Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve and Easter – we see how, despite what we may have in mind, we often arrive at unexpected destinations.
As Woody Allen once said “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans…”
Sponsors
Our 47th Season Is Supported In Part By:
Auditions
Auditions for this show are past.
Volunteers
Sign upUshers (2) are responsible for scanning tickets, helping patrons to their seats, and cleaning the theater after the show.
Concessions volunteers (2) are responsible for selling drinks and snacks before the show and at intermission.
As a thank you, volunteers can enjoy the show for free!
Cast & Crew
Mark Hasbargen
Bill
Read biography Mark Hasbargen
Bill
Welcome to Marks' twentieth show with DSL (thirty-third in the Bis-Man area)! He's been called the herpes virus of the Bismarck acting community ... he may go dormant for a while but you'll never get rid of him! His more recent ventures onstage were “A Christmas Story” and “Suite Surrender” here at DSL. Thank you for joining him and his good friends on this theatrical journey. We hope you are as amused and touched as we have been by the story you will experience with us.
ErinJean Gannon Litton
Ruthie
Read biography ErinJean Gannon Litton
Ruthie
ErinJean is delighted to be stepping into the role of Ruthie. She is well known to Dakota Stage audiences, having played in numerous shows, including Sweeny Todd, Rocky Horror Show, A Christmas Carol and Arsenic and Old Lace. She has also worked with BSC and Capitol Shakespeare, and was most recently featured in Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. She would like to thank her husband and sons for all their love and support.
Ethan Unrath
Richard
Read biography Ethan Unrath
Richard
When Ethan isn't working hard at Bismarck State College, he's performing at his favorite local theatre program, Dakota Stage, and Making God Laugh marks his third outing! Prior shows he's performed in are The Crucible and Rocky Horror Show!
Lee Christianson
Thomas
Read biography Lee Christianson
Thomas
Lee Christianson is making his second appearance with Dakota Stage as Thomas, having previously performed in Suite Surrender in 2025. He is incredibly grateful to
Chad for the opportunity to work with such a talented and welcoming group of artists. Lee would also like to thank his wife, family, and friends for their constant encouragement and support as he continues to step outside his comfort zone.
Stephanie Mayher
Maddie
Read biography Stephanie Mayher
Maddie
After many years away, Stephanie is thrilled to return to theater and make her debut with Dakota Stage. She has performed in various productions throughout the years, including The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Guys and Dolls, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Wizard of Oz. Outside of theater, she enjoys painting, drawing, and sewing. She’s deeply grateful for the love and encouragement of her husband Brett and her son Wyatt—her two favorite humans on the planet. Also, special thanks to her family’s pet axolotl, Moss, who has patiently listened to hours of line practice and continues to respond with admirable emotional neutrality.
Chad Litton
Director
Read biography Chad Litton
Director
Making God Laugh, is Chad’s sixth venture into directing. After a two year break he returns to DSL with a renewed love of the process. Frankly, he still cannot believe people let him do this. But, thanks to the support of the cast and crew and his friends and family he gets the opportunity to work on creating a wonderful live theater experience for the Bismarck-Mandan community. Chad says, this particular process has been one of the most challenging and fulfilling of his directing experiences. This group of people bonded in ways that he has never seen in a cast. He would like to thank his kids for always supporting his theatrical adventures. He would especially like to thank his wife ErinJean for taking on even larger commitments that anticipated with this show.
Juan Gelpi
Stage Manager
Read biography Juan Gelpi
Stage Manager
Juan is thrilled to back at the Dakota Stage, stage managing for the first time. Juan divides his time between Bismarck, and Virginia Beach,VA. Productions in Bismarck have included Sweeney Todd, Hamlet, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Crucible, Suite Surrender and Midsummer Nights Dream. In Norfolk, VA, he has performed in War of the Worlds, Choir Boy and The Very Special Holiday Special Cabaret. He will be directing Bright Star, at DSL, this spring. He would like to thank his beloved wife Barbara and his ridiculous wiener dogs Bruno and Berta.
Production Team
Director
Chad Litton
Stage Manager
Juan Gelpi
Costume Designer
Greta Sandel
Scenic Designer
Brian Nelson
Master Carpenter
Jason Bryhn
Lighting Designer
Anthony Sester
Sound Designer
G.E. Kuntz
Assistant Stage Manager
Ella Krueger
Photographer
Tom Chase
Production Crew
Matthew Lobmeyer
Tara Lamey
Velvet Olsen
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