Lofte Music Director Featured in National Magazine

Betty Colbert of Weeping Water has been active with the Lofte Community Theatre for nearly thirty years. She's painted set, sewn costumes and sold tickets. However, perhaps her most valued contribution has been the dual role of Music and Vocal Director for the summer musicals. It was Mrs. Colbert's dedicated service to such a unique rural arts organization that caught the attention of the editors at "Country Woman Magazine."

Betty Colbert of Weeping Water, NE was recently featured in the national publication, "Country Woman Magazine."

"Country Woman" is a bi-monthly publication distributed throughout the United States and Canada. Its focus is rural life including women, families and their hobbies. Last October editors at the magazine contacted the Lofte and asked for more information about the theater, and requested an interview with Mrs. Colbert. The two-page pictorial and story about Mrs. Colbert and the Lofte can be found in the current August/September 2009 edition of "Country Woman."

In addition to her extensive hours spent helping at the Lofte, Mrs. Colbert is also the K-12 music instructor at Elmwood-Murdock public schools.

"Over The River" Opens at Lofte

The Lofte Community Theatre announces that its next season installment, "Over the River and Through the Woods" by Joe DiPietro opens on Friday, August 28th. The comedy revolves around young Nick and his extended Italian-American family.

Nick's mom and dad have retired and have moved to Florida, but both sets of grandparents are still very much involved in his life. Nick gets a chance to pursue his dream job, but threatens to move him far away from New Jersey and his grandparents. Soon the loving, but meddlesome grannies decide that they must take evasive action. They decide to find a nice girl for Nick so that he'll settle down and stay on the east coast! This is a wonderful family comedy filled with laughs and heartfelt situations about growing up, growing older, and the things we lose and gain along the way.

Performing in their first Lofte production is Jason Weixelman and Chuck Danskin, both of Lincoln. Both Mr. Weixelman and Mr. Danskin have an extensive history with the Lincoln Community Playhouse. Also starring in the production are old Lofte favorites: Mary Ann Stohlmann of Murdock, real-life husband and wife Bob and Margie Pinkerton of Weeping Water, and newcomer Allie Nielsen of Omaha.

Performances run August 28-30, September 4-6 and 10-13. Curtain times Thursday-Saturday are 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Those interested in tickets, driving directions or other information about the theater may call the Lofte box office at (402) 234-2553 or visit their website, www.Lofte.com.

Getting the "once over." From L-R, Mary Ann Stohlmann, Chuck Danskin, Margie Pinkerton and Bob Pinkerton give their smiling nods of approval to their grandson's prospective girlfriend, Allie Nielsen.