GRA Theater, in Cooperation with Lakes Area Theatre,
Present...
OCTOBER 4th, 2026
Doors: 45 Minutes prior to Show time
Tickets: $25 General Admission
When Army Captain Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed states away during World War II, begins writing to Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress in New York City, neither expects their letters to change their lives forever.
Based on the true story of playwright Ken Ludwig’s parents, Dear Jack, Dear Louise is a witty, romantic, and deeply moving play about love, distance, and the power of connection during uncertain times. Told through heartfelt letters, humor, and unforgettable moments, this intimate two-actor production captures the beauty of falling in love when the world is anything but certain.
"Schommer & Shynes:
An Evening of Comedy and Music!"
Saturday, October 24
7pm Showtime / 6pm Doors
Join comedian and storyteller Jason Schommer and musician Michael Shynes for an evening of comedy, music and a ton of laughs. Special guest comedian Sam Bondhus will be joining the hometown duo on stage.
JASON SCHOMMER BIO:
Jason Schommer is a stand-up comedian and storyteller who spent two years as the opening act for comedy legend Louie Anderson in Las Vegas and toured regularly with him. Comedy icon Louie Anderson said, “Jason is funny, clever, smart, and on his way to the big time!”
“Nobody tells a better story than Jason Schommer. A long-time opener for the legendary Louie Anderson, Schommer is a multi-layered talent who combines stand-up, storytelling, acting, and improv to create a unique experience every time he’s on stage. Jason is a true performer in every sense of the word and one of the most engaging personalities in all avenues of Twin Cities comedy—well beyond stand-up.” – Patrick Strait, MN Comedy
As a stand-up comic, Jason has performed all over the U.S. and Canada and for the U.S. military in Japan. Jason’s sharp wit and spur-of-the-moment playfulness keep audiences on the edge of their seats with crazy and absurd “is-this-really-happening” stories, jokes with unexpected twists and turns, and off-the-cuff riffs. The laughs come fast and furious as Jason mines everyday life, turning the seemingly mundane and routine into comedy gold. A regular performer at The Moth, Jason has won numerous Story Slam competitions and has been invited to perform at the GrandSlams at The Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul (2016, 2023), The Guthrie Theater (2018), and The Pantages Theater (2022). Jason has been heard nationally on The Moth Radio Hour and featured on The Moth Podcast.
Jason has also worked in New York City for The Rosie O’Donnell Show and behind the scenes in Hollywood as Louie Anderson’s stand-in on the FX television series Baskets. In 2017, Jason released his first live comedy album, “Confessions of a Local Celebrity.” Most recently, Jason went viral on TikTok starring in a video with Dave Ryan from KDWB, earning over 5.4 million views.
MICHAEL SHYNES BIO:
“Stylistically, he is difficult to pigeonhole because his sound amalgamates many different flavors, blending R&B, pop and blues into awesomely immediate melodies, evocative lyrics and contagious rhythms. Michael Shynes really has it going on” - The Huffington Post
Michael Shynes is a Midwest-born singer-songwriter with a Platinum Record in Poland. A self-taught musician from Little Falls, MN, Michael chased an unlikely dream and built a career out of pure hustle and soulful songwriting. While Michael’s music may be difficult to define—often oscillating from folk to pop to R&B to country and back again—the unifying thread is his authenticity. His music never strives to be anything less than genuine. Blending shades of multiple genres over an acoustic and full-band landscape, his songs are rich with lyrical depth rarely paired with such mainstream appeal.
What truly sets Michael apart is his captivating voice. With a range and falsetto that are nothing short of mesmerizing, his acoustic finger-picking style provides the perfect warmth for his soulful lyrics. Michael quickly gained attention as a standout local opener for national acts and even toured with Platinum Recording Artist Howie Day. From humble beginnings, he has grown into one of the most sought-after performers in the Midwest, regularly playing to standing-room-only crowds. Michael Shynes recently released the full-length album “Small Town Revival” to rave reviews.
SAM BONDHUS BIO:
Sam Bondhus is known for his highly physical yet innocent style of comedy that caters to audiences of all ages. Taking the stage, Sam instantly wins over audiences with his incredibly unique perspective and view of the world. Recently, Sam was a two-time finalist in the Funniest Person with a Day Job Contest. In 2024, he was named St. Paul’s Funniest Person. In 2025, Sam was the Funniest Person in Minneapolis Runner-up.
An Old Fashioned Family Murder
Dates: November 6-8 and 13-14, 2026
Times: Vary by performance
"A murder. A mystery. A mother. It’s a dark and stormy night at the mansion of elderly Colonel Claythorne, and the pompous murder-mystery author Arthur Whittington is holding court with the Colonel’s family: his eldest daughter, Clarice, who is cold and glamorous; Clarice’s attractive fiancé, Jasper; Claythorne’s youngest daughter, Dotty, who is a big fan of Whittington’s; and Mrs. Shirley Peck, an unassuming but keenly observant visiting widow. When Whittington shares the news that the Colonel has modified his will to cut out one of his daughters – though which daughter won’t be revealed until the Colonel’s death – tempers flare. By the time Mrs. Peck’s son, (junior) Detective Paul Peck arrives at the house, there’s been a murder, and everyone is a suspect. With backstabbing, love and Mrs. Peck’s mother-knows-best advice complicating the investigation, it soon becomes clear that nothing – and no one – is what it seems."
OPEN MIC NIGHT
Join us on the GRA stage for our monthly Open Mic Nights! The area’s longest-running open mic invites you to bring your talent, whether it’s musical, literary, or otherwise. All ages are welcome, & all ages are regulars here at this supportive & enthusiastic session. Bring your voice or instrument ready to plug in and share!
Be sure to check regularly for upcoming events and live performances or follow us on our Facebook page, Great River Arts, for real time updates.
Thank you to Five Wings Arts Council, Minnesota State Arts Board, and the Clean Land Water Land and Legacy Amendment for their support.
"These activities are made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota, through a general operating grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund."
"These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund."
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