BEMIDJI — The last time Director Janet Preus joined the KAXE Morning Show, auditions hadn’t happened yet for her new musical Water from Snow.
Now that it’s close to performance time, she’s excited to see her project come to life.
Water from Snow is an original musical set in Northern Minnesota in a small town by the lake. It tells the story of a single mom and her journey from feeling driftless to making her way in the world and finding true happiness and support.
Actor Chuck Deeter is enthusiastic about the show and has been ever since he got to perform in a musical revue featuring songs from the show two summers ago.
“I like the story, and I really like the music,” Deeter said.
The musical will be performed at Rail River Folk School in Bemidji. Preus was excited to use the space because they wouldn’t have to even build a set. They can use the building as is.
“Much of the story takes place in a cafe. So there's the counter [at Rail River Folks School] as you would have in a little cafe ... and then later in the story, it gets turned into a bar and grill," Preus said. "So, it was really easy to just take advantage of what was already there.”
The actors will have a chance to use a lot of the space at Rail River Folk School. Instead of staying on a stage they will be working all around the room, and Preus believes that gives the audience a chance to feel like they’re part of the show.
Actors Deeter and Michael Hardin are not unfamiliar with this sort of fourth-wall breaking style of performance. Deeter has been in numerous productions like it but says this show is more intimate.
“It's just another stage, kind of," Hardin added. "You just have to focus on what you're doing.”
When asked if they’re excited to be part of the premiere and giving audiences the first impression of the musical, both actors had different answers.
Deeter said, “I kind of like it. Not that I expect that I will define the characters for whoever does it in the future, but I gave it a shot.”
Hardin said, “There's a little bit of anxiety, but hopefully it works out.”
Preus added she appreciates what the actors have brought to the characters she’s created.
“I get a big kick out of seeing what an actor does with a role that I wouldn't have seen. I mean, you can't just say it has to be that way because it's not going to be whatever's in your head, it's going to be what's in their head, and it should be,” Preus said.
“But it's really fun to see these characters come alive in ways I never would have imagined.”
Both actors agreed it’s going to be the music Preus co-wrote with Robert Elhai and Fred Steele that will really hook the audience.
“The music from the previous performance a couple of summers ago came back and it filled my head," Deeter said. "I've been hearing it ever since. ... I can't and don't want to get it out of my head.”
He also feels people will be able to relate to the storyline. It deals with topics everyone has encountered at some point, like relationships, the difficulties connecting between parents and children and being a teenager with troubles.
Performances are Friday through Sunday, April 11-13, and tickets are available at Four Pines Bookstore in Bemidji and the Eventbrite website. However, they will not turn people away if they can’t afford tickets.
“If our asking price is too high, come and we will find a way for you to be able to attend," Preus said. "We just want everybody to be able to be there.”
Listen to the full interview from the KAXE Morning Show above.
