How amazing it is that Lake Superior Theatre (LST) has been part of the waterfront for twenty-five years now! Since we began all but one of the Blockbusters closed, along with a plethora of other changes in technology. Everywhere we go, we are on Wi-Fi! We have tablets and mobile phones that do many of the things we used to do on those big desktops we had in 1999 and we’re ordering everything we cannot find in town on them. You probably used your smartphone’s GPS to find the theatre the first time, or to check LST’s website or Facebook page to see what show is playing.

LST was begun when Beacon on the Rock was written for Marquette’s sesquicentennial. In looking for a location, we discarded the idea of a tent due to wind, water, heat, and the biggest issue… late darkness. We found the acoustics of the boathouse (just north of Mattson Lower Harbor Park) wonderful, and LST was born.

The boathouse is a historic building where iron lungs were built by Maxwell Reynolds during the polio epidemic, so it has always seemed fitting that Lake Superior Theatre focuses on presenting and preserving our past. Beacon on the Rock is a key part of LST’s past, and also a tribute to those ancestors who came to this harsh, isolated region to build a new life landing on the shore where it’s located. History recognizes the contributions of Peter White and others, but Beacon is about the ordinary people who endured a harsh life to settle this area and became “spelled” by Lake Superior.
Beacon reminds us too that we are all immigrants seeking a better life. The families in Beacon left all that was familiar to them and came to a place that provided unimaginable challenges. They brought only their creative energy, intelligence, independence, persistence, and willingness to work hard.

I often think that if we could test immigrants for these qualities, we would find they are built into their DNA, genetically passed along to future generations, and have served this country well. We hope those who came to Beacon are motivated to hear the story of an immigrant, perhaps in their own family, who came to America. We hope you will ask them to tell you their story, and that you will treasure and share it. We are so proud of these amazing individuals of diverse cultural heritage and talents!

As with most any person or group facing challenges, at times during LST’s twenty-five years we were uncertain about our future.

each year, we made progress and improvements and thrived. The lifespan of summer theaters varies greatly, as many factors can influence their success and longevity—availability of funding, quality of productions, audience size, and the theater’s ability to adapt to changes in the market and cultural trends. Some may also face challenges related to competition from other forms of entertainment or changes in the local community that impact attendance. Many only operate for a few seasons before closing, while rare others continue for a decade or more. LST’s beginning its twenty-fifth season is a testament to its appeal.

LST is at a pivotal time of its life, leaving some to wonder openly what its future might be. Having a Board that embraces the future of LST is crucially helpful. Additionally, I am an eternal optimist and know that our mission to enhance and embrace live theatre in our area is firmly viable. We are a nation of individuals who relish rising to challenges; a people that don’t see the impossibility of a task, but instead look for the possibilities… and push the envelope to accomplish them, just like the families in Beacon on the Rock.

LST has been able to build a loyal audience over time and establish itself as a cultural institution and tourist attraction in the Upper Peninsula, helping to ensure its continued success and longevity. By introducing young and old alike to live theatre, it has contributed to the artistic world.

LST has benefited from MACC and NEA grants that are awarded through a peer review process. MACC grant awards require matching those funds with other dollars. We thank our sponsors, supporters, and those who made donations at any level, and recognize them in our summer program. Our LST fundraiser is Monday July 10th this year, and features Broadway stars. However, every donation in any amount is so appreciated!

Kudos also to the cast and crew who donate their time and work tirelessly each summer.

We often remark on how they bring the boathouse alive with magic, and it seems this year it will not just come alive, it will burst into our twenty-fifth anniversary season with vibrancy that will bring down the house!

It’s such fun sharing our passion with you, and your supportive comments are so appreciated. Life teaches us so many things, and I have learned so much through LST. It is what we learn that matters. So if you have always wanted to visit the boathouse, now is the time to do it! This artistic jewel with the million dollar lobby view will present our signature musical, Beacon on the Rock, followed by I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Jersey Boys, The Odd Couple, Honk Jr., and Superior Memories this summer.

Beacon will be performed July 5-8. It was written by Shelly Russell and she will direct it this year. On July 11-14, enjoy the funtastic I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, directed by Leslie Parkkonen; it hones in on the awkward, cumbersome, tricky nuances of dating life with witty quips and cutting-edge lyrics. July 18-29, Jersey Boys will take the stage, directed by Eliisa Herman. This show features the electrifying songs we all love in this summertime spectacular tell-all sensation! August 1-6, we present the amazing comedy The Odd Couple, directed by Denise Clark.

Our collaboration with Superior Arts Youth Theatre in Honk Jr. August 8-20 will be directed by Caitland Palomaki, and is a show that touches our hearts. On August 21, we host Jack Deo, Jim Koski, and Bob Buchkoe with their program about silent film footage from 1914-1949: Lights, Camera, Marquette. On the 22nd, we welcome Broadway to Blues with Tony Beacco, Ann Berchem, and Keith Cahoon. On the 24th, B.G. Bradley returns with Northwords & Music. On August 23rd and 25th, the Franklin Park Band returns to take us back to beloved songs of the Sixties. The band has traveled to our often-frozen “tundra” for several years to support LST, and we are so grateful for the way they boost our spirits. You may walk in with a cane but leave dancing in the aisles!

Tickets always sell out fast for these productions, so get them now.

Show information is available at lakesuperiortheatre.com, Facebook, the theatre, and the rack cards holders of the former ticket office in the Lower Harbor. You can visit the Berry Events Center (or Forest Roberts Theatre, depending on construction progress) for your tickets, call Northern Michigan University’s ticket system at (906) 227-1032, or book your reserved seat online directly at tickets.nmu.edu.   

Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the Sunday matinees at 3 pm. Allow some extra time to enjoy the short walk to the theatre after parking in the Lower Harbor so you can soak in the Superior vistas of our domain. We have limited disability parking and always have drop-offs available. Most of you who return to LST annually know all this, of course, but we are always amazed at how many people are unaware of the theatre gem hidden from view on Lake Shore Boulevard.

Make time during your busy summer to let us entertain you…. as well as inspire, educate, and enlighten you! Our mission of being a gathering place for the community to engage in educational opportunities and enhance their understanding and enjoyment of life through the creation and presentation of the arts has led LST to welcome more than 100,000 people since 1999. We invite you to join us in 2023 and enjoy our exceptional live experiences. See you at the Boathouse!

Peggy Frazier has contributed to the fields of pharmacy, education, theater, and women’s rights. She was Pharmacy Director at NMU, worked administratively in promoting gender equality and disability rights, and demonstrated her public service commitment on FSU Board of Control and Michigan Board of Pharmacy.

Excerpt from the Summer 2023 issue of Health & Happiness U.P. Magazine, copyright 2023, Empowering Lightworks, LLC. All rights reserved.