Twin Cities-based accompanist, writer and vocalist Dan Chouinard is leading the 13th annual Old-Fashioned Holiday Sing-along on Friday, December 20, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Mane Theatre in downtown Lanesboro. Dan will host the evening, an annual Lanesboro institution, with his fantastic piano and accordion playing, gentle spirit and genuine appreciation for sharing stories and songs with the audience. As a treat for the audience, Dan has invited special guest Dane Stauffer, a laugh out loud musical theatre star, to perform on stage as well. The pair started working and performing together nearly 30 years ago and have logged some miles since then, with shows together across the country and as far afield as Hawaii and Edinburgh, Scotland.
With a career spanning cabaret, theater, film, television, radio, and flat bed trucks, Dane Stauffer is triple threat actor, singer and writer making his debut on the St. Mane stage. Based in Minneapolis, Dane recently sang in Brand New Day: Breaking Barriers/ A Cabaret at the Ordway, where he also recently starred as Scrooge in Dolly Parton’s Smokey Mountain Christmas Carol. Dane has starred as Roger Caldwell in the IVEY award winning musical Glensheen at the History Theatre. In Los Angeles, he became a staple singing at Sunset Strip’s House of Blues, at the Cafe Was with Jeff Goldblum on the keys, and Yoshi’s with Estaire Godinez. He sings regularly at Crooners Lounge in the Twin Cities, and recently performed in an indie short based on Lorna Landvik’s Oh My Stars. He is currently directing Annie Jr. at Steppingstone Theatre for Youth, and he continues to teach empowerment through the arts to children and adults in all settings.
As Chouinard told the Star Tribune in 2017, “Among the things that give me joy is the element of participation.” As such, Chouinard will welcome local talent to the stage during the Holiday Sing-along! The 2018 show featured Tom Schramm and Walter Bradley, Bertram Boyum, Damon and Peighton Prestemon, Julie Kiehne and Carolyn Freese, the Ekstrom Trio, and Bebe Keith, Laura Nelson, Peter Sholtz and Bill Swanson. Interested in participating on stage at the 2019 event? Contact Program Director Adam Wiltgen via e-mail at adam@lanesboroarts.org or by phone at (507) 467-2446 x4.
The Holiday Sing-along is presented by Lanesboro Arts and sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio, Commonweal Theatre, Inspire(d) Magazine, High Court Pub and Granny’s Liquors. Tickets are going fast! The cost is $15, or $12 LA members, and they are sold online at www.lanesboroarts.org; at the Lanesboro Arts Gallery and (507) 467-2446. If the event sells out, a wait list will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Mane Theatre lobby the night of the event. The St. Mane Theatre is located at 206 Parkway Avenue North in Lanesboro.