production history of Lost Nation Theater: 29 years and counting

1977 – LNT incorporated in Bristol, Vermont. Creates a loft theater space over a pizza shop that is still used for live performance today.

The first years of its life, LNT produced exclusively original work, which premiered in Bristol and toured Montreal and New York.

1977 – The Amazing Tub Show by LNT

1978 – Enthusiastic Dude by Kim Bent

1978 –  Shadowoman by Deborah Gwinn

1979 – Ceremony Two by LNT

1980 – Short hiatus in Vermont. Work with the Blake Street Hawkeyes in Berkley CA (members include David Schine and Whoopi Goldberg)

1981 – Belongings by LNT

1981 – The Night the Mountain Fell by LNT

1983 – Nice Guy: A Portrait by Kim Bent

1984-85 – Short hiatus while Kim pursues his master’s degree in theater at Long Island University

1985 – Gunslinger, adaptation of Ed Dorn’s epic poem by Kim Bent, Kathleen Keenan, and Alan Wynroth tours New York and Vermont

1986 – LNT relocates to Montpelier, Vermont. Begins producing already scripted plays

1986 – Waiting For Godot, by Samuel Beckett. Co-Production with Donny Osman & Tim Jennings

1987 – Still Life, by Emily Mann. Partnership with Vermont Veterans

1988

As Is, by William Hoffman. Co-Production with Shoestring Theatre; Partnership with Vermont Cares

Gunslinger, adapted for Vermont Public Radio Panther Players program with Bill Boardman

1989

Lost Nation coordinates a group of local artists and theater organizations to create a season of theater at Montpelier City Hall Auditorium.

Scenes & Revelations, by Elan Garonzik                 
Savage/Love, by Sam Shepard
Tongues, by Sam Shepard & Joseph Chaikin
Gunslinger, by Ed Dorn; adapted for stage by LNT
Dooryard Dreams, by Kim Bent and LNT (LNT original; world premiere)

1990

Other groups decide not to continue at City Hall: LNT produces its own season at City Hall.

The Village Wooing, by George Bernard Shaw
The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams; original music by Kathleen Keenan
The Last Intimacy, by Jean Reynolds (world premiere); original music by Kathleen Keenan
An Evening with Sam Shepard (dramaturgy by LNT interns)

1991

Talley’s Folly, by Lanford Wilson; original music by Kathleen Keenan
On Golden Pond, by Ernest Thompson; original music by Kathleen Keenan
Cheating Hearts, by Jean Reynolds (world premiere)
On Tidy Endings, by Harvey Fierstein
The Rocking Horse Winner, by Kathleen Keenan based on the novel by DH Lawrence (world premiere)
P.G. (LNT adaptation of Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen)
Under Milk Wood, by DH Thomas (collaboration with Montpelier High School Masque)

1992

LNT begins conducting the co-curricular drama program at Montpelier High School.

The Bear, and The Proposal, by Anton Chekov
Look Homeward, Angel, by Ketti Frings based on the novel by Thomas Wolfe
Betrayal, by Harold Pinter
The Working Project, developed by LNT; music by Dan Boomhower, Kathleen Keenan, Diane Martin, et al (world premiere)
The Crucible, by Arthur Miller (collaboration with MHS Masque)

1993

LNT designated Montpelier’s Official Resident Theater Company, season at City Hall expanded into the autumn.

The Bald Soprano, by Eugene Ionesco (collaboration with MHS Masque)
The Mysteries & What’s so Funny?, by David Gordon and the Pick-up Company; original music by Kathleen Keenan (collaboration with MHS Masque)
Little Acts of Kindness, by David Budbill (world premiere)
Beyond Therapy, by Christopher Durang
The Road to Mecca, by Athol Fugard
Crimes of the Heart, by Beth Henley
Reflections of Four Women, by LNT (world premiere)
Jacques Brel is Alive & Well & Living in Paris, music: Jacques Brel, concept/book: Mort Shuman & Eric Blau
The Dragon, by Eugene Schwartz (collaboration with MHS Masque)

1994

An Artist, An Acolyte, and Amanda, developed by LNT & MHS Masque (world premiere)
The Firebugs, by Max Friesch (collaboration with MHS Masque)
Closer Than Ever, by Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire
The Subject Was Roses, by Frank Gilroy
Arms and the Man, by George Bernard Shaw
One Shoe Off, by Tina Howe
Macbeth, by William Shakespeare
A Doll House, by Henrik Ibsen
Approaching Zanzibar, by Tina Howe (collaboration with MHS Masque)

1995

The City of Montpelier passes a bond to renovate City Hall Auditorium. 
Phase 1 (cat walk lighting grid, modular seating, modular platforming, and new back wall in balcony) is completed just in time for the summer season.

Endgame, by Samuel Beckett
The Visit, by Friedrich Duerrenmatt (collaboration with MHS Masque)
Charlotte’s Web, by EB White; original music by Kathleen Keenan (with the Masque)
Driving Miss Daisy, by Alfred Uhry
The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde
Cole, words & music by Cole Porter; devised by Alan Strachon & Benny Green
Under Milk Wood, by Dylan Thomas; music by Kathleen Keenan
As You Like It, by William Shakespeare; music by Kathleen Keenan
A Christmas Carol: Scrooge & Marley, by Isreal Horowitz, based on the novel by Charles Dickens (Masque)

1996

Marat/Sade, by Peter Weiss, music by Kathleen Keenan (with the Masque)
Waiting for Godot, by Samuel Beckett  (with the Masque)
Our Town, by Thornton Wilder
Lettice & Lovage, by Peter Shaffer
Alice Looks Back!, original production by LNT; lyrics & music by Jono Mainelli; book by Rob Handel based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (world premiere)
Spoon River Anthology, by Edgar Lee Masters
Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare; music by Kathleen Keenan

1997

Frankenstein, by Victor Gianlanella, based on the novel by Mary Shelley (with the Masque)
Rupert’s Birthday, by Ken Jenkins & Gunslinger by LNT (double bill)
Oedipus Rex, The Masque student-directed production
News of the City/Talk of the Town, LNT original production, written by Geof Hewitt, Kim Bent, et al; music by Kathleen Keenan (premiere)
A Delicate Balance, by Edward Albee
Side by Side by Sondheim, music & lyrics Stephen Sondheim, et al; continuity by Ned Sherrin
Brecht on Brecht, dramaturgy by George Tabori
The Winters Tale, by William Shakespeare; music by Kathleen Keenan
The Cradle Will Rock, by Marc Blitzstein (with the Masque)

1998

My Dinner With Andre, by Wally Shawn & Andre Gregory; stage adaptation by Kim Bent & Tim Tavcar
The Caucasian Chalk Circle, by Bertolt Brecht; music by Kathleen Keenan (with the Masque)
Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, by Jane Wagner (for Lily Tomlin)
Where Everything is Everything, by Stephen Spoonamore
Working, the musical, based on Studs Turkel’s book; music by Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor, et al
The Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie
The Fantasticks, by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt
Beckett Bits, a collage of the work of Samuel Beckett; dramaturgy by Kim Bent (premiere)
Greater Tuna, by Jaston Edwards, et al
Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare; music by Kathleen Keenan
You Can’t Take It With You, by Kaufman and Hart (with the Masque)

1999

But Your Honor — Deane Davis Remembered, by Stephen Spoonamore  (professional premiere)
Dear Liar, by Jerome Kilty & The Impresario by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, by Tom Stoppard (with the MHS Masque)
The Threepenny Opera, by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill
Lost In Yonkers, by Neil Simon
Dancing at Lughnasa, by Brian Friel
Non-Stop Stoppard, a miscellany of the work of Tom Stoppard; dramaturgy by Kim Bent (premiere)
Richard III, by William Shakespeare
My Three Angels, by Bella and Sam Spewack (with the Masque) 

2000

Panther Classics, by Bill Boardman; dramaturgy by Kim Bent; music by Kathleen Keenan, et al (premiere)
A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking, by John Ford Noonan
Blind Date, by Horton Foote (with the Masque)
Lies and Legends, the musical stories of Harry Chapin (with the Masque)
A Little Night Music, by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler
Camping With Henry and Tom, by Mark St. Germain
Amy’s View, by David Hare
Wind in the Willows
The Collected Works of Billy the Kid, by Michael Ondaajte; dramaturgy by Kim Bent; music by Kathleen Keenan
The Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare

2001

LNT begins conducting the co-curricular drama program for Montpelier High School at City Hall Arts Center and transforms program into The Conservatory, with college-level intensive instruction and expectations; expands the program to include other high school students.

Having Our Say – The Delany Sister’s First 100 Years, by Emily Mann
The Bald Soprano, by Eugene Inesco; The Masque
Collected Stories, by Donald Marguilies
To Kill A Mockingbird, based on the novel by Harper Lee (with The Conservatory)
Sweeney Todd, by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler
Grace in America, by Antoine O’Flarthata (US East Coast Premiere)
The Rainmaker, by N Richard Nash
Winnie the Pooh, based on the writings of AA Milne; dramaturgy and music by Kathleen Keenan; additional lyrics Kathleen Keenan and the LNT 2001 Intern Ensemble
The Wizard of Oz, based on the story by Frank Baum; music by Harold Arlen
Love’s Labour’s Lost, by William Shakespeare

2002

True West, by Sam Shepard
Shirley Valentine, by Willie Russell
Woody Guthrie’s American Song, based on the music & letters of Woody Guthrie (with The Conservatory)
Execution of Justice, by Emily Mann
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark
I Do! I Do!, by N Richard Nash
Charlotte’s Web, by EB White; music & additional lyrics by Kathleen Keenan
House of Blue Leaves, by John Guare
Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare; music by Kathleen Keenan

2003

Beaver Falls, by Gary Moore; dramaturgy by Kim Bent; music by Fred Wilbur (premiere)
Snow, by Gordon Porterfield (professional premiere)
The Children’s Hour, by Lillian Hellman (with The Conservatory)
1940’s Radio Hour, concept and book by Walton Jones; music by various composers
proof, by David Auburn
Picasso at the Lapin Agile, by Steve Martin
James & the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl; music by Kathleen Keenan
Arcadia, by Tom Shepard
The Tragedie of Othello, by William Shakespeare

2004

Educating Rita, by Willie Russell
Pump Boys & Dinettes, by Cass Morgan, Jim Wann et al
Mother Courage & Her Children, Bertold Brecht (with The Conservatory)
The World Goes Round, by Kander & Ebb
Molly Sweeny, by Brian Friel
You Can’t Take it With You, by Kaufman & Hart
The Brother’s Grimm, adapted by the LNT intern ensemble
A Lie of the Mind, by Sam Shepard
The Tragedie of Macbeth, by William Shakespeare

2005

Stone, by Kim Bent, based on oral histories from Barre Granite Workers (world premiere)
The Belle of Amherst, by William Luce
Diamonds, a revue about baseball created by Hall Prince; Craig Carnelia; Cy Coleman; Betty Comdon and Adolf Green; Abott & Costello, et al; further adapted for the stage by Tim Tavcar
I Never Sang For My Father, by Robert Anderson
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, by Clark Gesner, based on Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, by Kevin Henkes; adapted by Kathleen Keenan and the 2005 LNT intern ensemble; music by Kathleen Keenan
The Tempest, by William Shakespeare

2006

Lyrical Langston: His Muse for Music, created, compiled, and conception by Quanda Johnson
The Vagina Monologues, by Eve Ensler
Streets of Gold, by Mary Sue Price; music by Robin & Linda Williams (world premiere)
Laughing Wild, by Christopher Durang
Stone, by Kim Bent
The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks, by Katherine Paterson & Stephanie Tolan; music by Steve Liebman. Based on the book by Katherine Paterson; additional material/adaptation by Kathleen Keenan; musical arrangements by Piero Bonamico
Something for Everyone – a Musical Tonight!, revue conceived by Tim Tavcar
Romeo & Juliet, by William Shakespeare

2007

Bully!

Callas on Callas by Tim Tavcar – a coproduction with Monteverdi Music School

The Vagina Monologues, by Eve Ensler

Judevine, by David Budbill

Vivien, by Rick Foster

Musical of Musicals: The Musical

The Selfish Giant, by Mary Wheeler

Tartuffe, by Moliere

Henry V, by William Shakespeare

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