The Summer House Party Tour!

UPDATE (July 1, 2022)
 

To our "RAGBRAI - The Musical" hosts and audiences,

 

The Summer House Party Tour idea originated last summer as a creative response to the ongoing pandemic - if audiences still were not comfortable gathering with strangers in large indoor spaces to see a show, we would bring the show to them in their own backyards for their own friends and neighbors.  We presented 12 performances of "Utopia" without a single postponement or cancellation due to COVID-related concerns.

 

Now, in year three of the pandemic and with a successful tour already behind us, we thought this summer's tour would operate like a well-oiled machine.  COVID, however, had other plans for us.  Within the past two months, all four of our fully-vaccinated and boosted cast members and our production manager have had mild to moderate cases, forcing us to cancel nearly 75% of scheduled rehearsals.  We had hoped to resume rehearsals yesterday, but three of the five are still experiencing moderate symptoms and are far from being fully recovered.  

 

Knowing that performances were scheduled to begin next weekend, factoring in the health and safety of both actors and audiences alike, and recognizing that there simply is not enough available rehearsal time going forward to create a high quality production that we would be proud to present and you would be proud to host, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all performances of "RAGBRAI - The Musical" this summer.   

 

We are sincerely sorry that we won't be able to see you this summer, but we hope that by making and sharing this decision now, you'll have adequate time to notify your guests about the change in plans.  We were already planning to present the show again next summer (as it is the 50th anniversary of RAGBRAI and the route will likely be coming through the Des Moines area), so we'll be sure you have first choice of available performance dates.

 

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with this matter.  Stay healthy, stay safe, and we hope to see you next summer.

Host a Performance!

Following the tremendous success of the 2021 Summer House Party Tour production of "Utopia - The Iowa Musical Revue!," the Summer House Party Tour returns in 2022 with a production of "RAGBRAI," a new musical by Robert John Ford.  This one-hour musical comedy tells the saga of an out-of-state couple who falsely believes a bike ride across Iowa will be a relaxing, challenge-free vacation.   "RAGBRAI" features veteran local actors Mary Bricker, Megan Schettler Schug, and Craig Petersen, actor/keyboardist Eric Layden. and stage manager Joe Smith.

 

You, the HOST(S):

1. Agree to host an outdoor house party at which the cast of "RAGBRAI" will present a one-hour performance;

2. Select your preferred performance date and time from the available options in the list below;

3. Make the guest list and extend the invitations to whoever and how many people you choose (a minimum audience size of 25 is preferred);

4. Designate a stage space (minimum of 10'x10' on a flat surface with easy access to an electrical outlet) in your yard, patio, deck area, or driveway and designate a private "backstage area" with access to water/beverages and a bathroom for the cast to prepare. 

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We, the PRODUCTION TEAM:

1. Provide every element of the show - actors, stage manager, instruments, sound equipment, scenery, props, costumes, playbills, etc.

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Other things to know:​

• There is no upfront cost to the host – you and your guests will simply be asked to make a donation in an amount of your choosing (cash, check, or digital payments via Venmo or Paypal) upon completion of the performance.

• The entire production team has been fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.

• The performance must be outside. 

• The show features subject matter and language that may not be suitable for audiences under the age of 13.

• The performance runs for approximately one hour without an intermission.

• The production team features a total of five people - four actors and one stage manager.

• The production team will arrive approximately one hour prior to your scheduled performance time.

• The production team reserves the right to cancel or postpone a performance due to inclement weather (e.g. thunderstorms, excessive heat), the threat of inclement weather, or other safety concerns.

• Rain date options will be offered should inclement weather force the cancelation of your scheduled performance.

• Prior to your scheduled performance date, the stage manager will contact you to arrange a site visit.

• The performance cannot be used as a fundraiser or benefit event for another organization or cause unless an agreement is reached in advance.

 

Performance date options:

• Friday, July 8, 7:00pm - NEWLY AVAILABLE!

• Saturday, July 9, 3:00pm - AVAILABLE!

• Saturday, July 9, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Sunday, July 10, 3:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Sunday, July 10, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Monday, July 11, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Friday, July 15, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Saturday, July 16, 3:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Saturday, July 16, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Sunday, July 17, 3:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Sunday, July 17, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Friday, July 22, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Saturday, July 23, 3:00pm - AVAILABLE!

• Saturday, July 23, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Sunday, July 24, 3:00pm - AVAILABLE!

• Sunday, July 24, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Thursday, July 28, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

• Friday, July 29, 7:00pm - NO LONGER AVAILABLE

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Other dates and times may be available upon request.  (Please note: this event cannot be used as a fundraiser for another organization or cause.)

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   To request your performance date and time, click HERE. 

Questions should be emailed to RJFcreative@gmail.com.  

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