Front Porch Theatre's Backyard Show

We are excited to announce plans for our new backyard show, ORPHIE AND THE BOOK OF HEROES!  Front Porch Theatre has put up free, family-friendly shows in the backyard of directors Joy and Michael Donley since 2011.  Over 1200 people have enjoyed our past shows, "Lemony Snicket: The Musical" (2011) and "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood" (2014) .  This year we are doing a musical premiere--yes, you read that right:  it's a musical you've never before seen in the Twin Cities!
We are raising money to produce ORPHIE AND THE BOOK OF HEROES (music by Michael Kooman, book & lyrics by Christopher Dimond), a story about an orphan girl in Ancient Greece who takes a harrowing and hilarious journey to the Underworld to save her guardian, Homer.  Remember all those Greek fairy tales about gods and monsters?  Uh-huh.  We've got the Hydra, Cerberus the 3-headed dog, some sassy Sirens, and a tap-dancing Atlas (among others)!  Seven actors play various iconic and uproarious roles from your sixth-grade mythology unit...or your current crossword puzzle.

We offer these shows to the public for free--but we ask for donations.  We need donations to cover our costs because we have no sponsors, fiscal agents or non-profit status.  Any show, big or little, is costly.  Front Porch Theatre pay actors and crew so that you get a professional show--even in the backyard!  The costumes you see, the set and props, publicity and signage - these all cost more money that you'd think.  

Funds are needed right now, even before the show goes up August 18-21.  We have to buy stuff to make all those costumes and props!  So...if you don't want to bring your checkbook (or wads of cash) with you to the show...consider donating online through GoFundMe, or via check in the mail to: Joy Donley, 1829 Burr St, Maplewood MN  55117.  Last time we raised ALL of our goal - half through online donations and half from show donations.  Whoo-hoo!!!

When our kids were younger, we tore our hair out at the end of summer trying to find things for them to do.  There was nothing.  Camps were over, swimming pools were closed and even the library's reading program was done.  That's when we started doing backyard shows!  A free, final fling of entertainment for not only OUR kids, but other's too.  AND...THE BEST PART OF IT:   using our shows to help raise awareness for other's needs--such as raising money for our local elementary school , for Feed My Starving Children , Compassion International and The Family Place .  

This year we'll be collaborating with Stories Cafe , a brand-new non-profit that will bring its food truck to our driveway!  You can purchase fresh, healthy food before the show and guess what?  The profits go toward fighting modern-day slavery, homelessness and for helping children at risk.  It's a win-win for all of us!

Thank you.  Really.  THANK YOU for helping us.  With all the hate and hurting that is in our world, we are grateful to partner with YOU to bring some light, some joy, some hope and love to our community.  Here we go!