Arsenic and Old Lace

By Joseph Kesselring

October 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25

Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s life is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women are already aware of the dead man in their parlor. Find out how he got there by joining us for this classic comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: Family.

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

October 30th & 31st @ 7 PM; November 1st @ 1 PM

Bring your spy glass; wear your trench coat and prepare to help solve a gruesome murder! You might even be a suspect!? But before the ghastly event occurs, enjoy a delicious catered dinner onstage.

Cash/credit card bar available

Call the Lofte Box Office at 402-234-2553 for pricing and details

Buy Tickets

Lofte Movie Night Showing...
The Rocky Horror Picture Show

- Hosted by Dr. San Guinary, creature feature horror host -

October 31st (After Murder Mystery Dinner)

Movie starts @ 11 PM

Drinks and trivia prior to the movie

$5 Admission

Join us at the Lofte Community Theatre for a one-of-a-kind Rocky Horror Picture Show sing-along experience hosted by Dr. San Guinary, creature feature horror host!

For just $5 admission, you’ll enjoy the cult classic film on the big screen.

Come dressed to impress, grab some popcorn from our full concessions stand, but no rice or water guns.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a Rocky Horror virgin, this interactive evening promises to be outrageously fun.

Buy Tickets

Veteran’s Day Concert

November 8th @ 2:30 PM

Honor our country’s heroes with this free concert event. Bring the whole family to this patriotic performance by the Southeast Nebraska Community Band as we thank all who have served.

Free Admission- Free Popcorn for Veterans

Name: The Lofte Community Theatre
Address: 15841 Manley Road, Manley, NE, 68403, US
Telephone: 402-234-2553

Volunteer!

The Lofte 40+ years of quality entertainment has only been possible thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who have donated their time over the years. Join this wonderful legacy and volunteer during this production season!

Volunteers receive the following for volunteering for a show:

T-shirt
Two free tickets to that performance
Free popcorn & soda
Recognition at annual meeting

Whether you want to help in the front lobby or behind the stage,

JOIN THE LOFTE FAMILY!

For regular performance volunteering, click the Volunteer button below to sign up for:

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ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
By Joseph Kesselring
Performances are on October 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, & 25
Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand opens 1 hour before the show, and the house opens for seating then as well. Get tickets on our website or call 402-234-2553. Tickets are $25 each.
More about Arsenic and Old Lace: Mortimer Brewster just wants to marry Elaine and live a normal life. Unfortunately, his family has other plans. His aunts Abby and Martha are poisoning gentlemen. His brother Teddy believes he’s digging the Panama Canal in the basement. And his other brother Jonathan is running from the law and has a new face, courtesy of his sidekick, Dr. Einstein. There’s murder in the parlor and mayhem at every turn! See this classic comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #comedy #arsenicandoldlace #darkcomedy

Many weddings have been held on the Lofte stage, but not all of them featured Born-in-a-Barn players. Here are a few highlights!

In 1984, Kevin and Betty Colbert were married on the Lofte stage. By then, they had played opposites many times, including in both productions of Music Man that the Lofte produced. This dynamic duo went on to become the Artistic and Musical Directors of The Lofte for the next two decades!

Scott and Anne Pope were married at the "old barn" in 1995. They had met several summers earlier during the first production of Cinderella in 1991. Both became long-time mainstays at the Lofte. Anne was later elected chairman of the board, and Scott continues to help with every set for our productions.

Josh Smith and Marrissa Charley-Smith said "I do" in 2017. They not only had their wedding at the Lofte, but also the reception! Marrissa is still often seen around the theatre, helping with wigs for any production that calls for them. Josh is also often seen on stage and helping out on the tech crew.

Samantha and Amaury Colvarro got married in 2020! Samantha is the daughter of Kevin and Betty Colbert, the couple from the very first Lofte wedding. She went all the way to New York to find her better half and brought him all the way back to "the good life" in Nebraska. Amaury recently closed his first show at the Lofte, "A Few Good Men," as PFC William T. Santiago.

The Lofte is available for wedding rentals! For more information, visit lofte.org/rent-the-lofte

We are going to keep on celebrating our 50th season all year long! Posts like this will continue to pop up all through the rest of the season. And it's not too late to share your memories with us! Click the link below to fill out the form, and your memory may yet be shared on social media or documented for future Born-in-a-Barn Players and patrons to read. https://forms.gle/4NZPyMXbmTHdSisf6
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #localtheater #localtheatre #50th #50seasons #ido

Today was our final performance of our production of "A Few Good Men. To start, we'd like to say a huge thank you to our entire cast. They worked tirelessly for months to learn the lines of this infamous military courtroom drama, and night after night they told this story, and each time they presented it superbly. We would like to extend well wishes to Amanda and hope for a speedy recovery. We would like to say a special thank you to Brandy, who filled in as our Joanne Galloway with short notice - she was fully memorized and presented the character beautifully at every performance. Thank you to our technical crew members: Costumes by Kathryn, Properties by Brandy, Lighting Design by Aaron (including the stunning colored lights on the set) and light operation by Samantha, Sound Design by Nick, and Sound Design and Operation by Andy, Scenic Design by Adam, and Scenic Artistry by Linda. And also a big thank you to our set crew! This show was truly outstanding, and everyone's efforts were apparent and are appreciated. And of course, a BIG thank you to our Artistic Director, Kevin Colbert. His coordination and efforts to bring this show together resulted in a presentation that everyone who contributed could be proud of, and for that we are very grateful! Thanks to all of our front-of-house staff who handled tickets and concessions, and an extra thank you to all of our front-of-house volunteers who scanned tickets, sold concessions, and helped keep our facility clean! And finally, thanks to everyone who attended this production. We know this is a bit of a departure from our usual type of show, but we hope those who attended to hear the story of justice were moved and enjoyed it.
Our next production is Arsenic and Old Lace, the story of two elderly women who care for travelers who come to their door, their nephews, and the trouble that can come when family visits. We hope you'll join us for a killer good time!

The story of "A Few Good Men" follows Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniel Kaffee as he defends two Marines accused of murder. While murder feels very black and white, Kaffee sees the shades of grey. He seeks the truth, and rather than just asking who took action, he asks who ordered the action and whether the defendant Marines even had a choice. And, as he uncovers the truth, he handles it with grace and with rigorous justice. See the military courtroom drama "A Few Good Men," at it's final performance, today at 2:00 pm.
So lift your head and lift it high, Daniel Kaffee's passing by.

Get tickets at lofte.org/tickets, or call the box office at 402-234-2553. More about A Few Good Men: Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking debut tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. During the course of the trial, they uncover a high-level conspiracy designed to eliminate weaker soldiers in the name of patriotism. These lawyers will go to great lengths to get the truth, but can they handle it? Recognizing our nation’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the armed forces with this classic play. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

There are only 2 more chances to see "A Few Good Men," and that's the truth - can you handle it? Get tickets now, while you still can! Get tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. Remaining performances are September 10, 11, 12, & 13. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and at 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand will open 1 hour before the show starts, and the house will be open for seating at this time as well.

More about A Few Good Men: Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking debut tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. During the course of the trial, they uncover a high-level conspiracy designed to eliminate weaker soldiers in the name of patriotism. These lawyers will go to great lengths to get the truth, but can they handle it? Recognizing our nation’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the armed forces with this classic play. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #drama #courtroomdrama #afewgoodmen #youcanthandlethetruth

TONIGHT: Tickets are $12 at the door AND ONLINE as we celebrate #ThrowbackThursday.
Ticket prices throw it back to 1976, but this price is only available for tonight's performance of "A Few Good Men." Tickets are available at this price online RIGHT NOW at lofte.org/tickets, but can also be purchased at the box office starting at 6:00 pm tonight, if there are any left! And make sure you stop by the Feed Bucket for our chow plate dinner, only $10 with a beverage or $12 with a premium beverage. We look forward to seeing you tonight! Show starts at 7:00, and the box office, house, and concession stand all open at 6:00 pm!

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. The $12 Throwback Thursday promotional price is only valid for tickets purchased today (Thursday) for tonight's performance. Tickets are still available in advance for future performances at the standard $25 price by visiting lofte.org/tickets or calling the box office at 402-234-2553. To learn more about Throwback Thursday, visit lofte.org/throwback-thursday

More about A Few Good Men: Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking debut tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. During the course of the trial, they uncover a high-level conspiracy designed to eliminate weaker soldiers in the name of patriotism. These lawyers will go to great lengths to get the truth, but can they handle it? Recognizing our nation’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the armed forces with this classic play. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" is one of the very few shows that has been on the Lofte stage 3 times. Kevin Colbert played Professor Harold Hill in both 1978 and 1986, and his wife, Betty Colbert, played Marian the Librarian both times. (In fact, Kevin and Betty first met in the '78 production!) In 2016, Chris Berger played Harold Hill and Catherine Davis (Bobst) played Marian. But each time we have been Iowa Stubborn, Trouble has started with a capital T that rhymes with P and stands for Pool, we have said good night to our someone's, and by now, surely we have achieved a total of 76 trombones! But we still haven't been to Gary, Indiana. 🎶

We are going to keep on celebrating our 50th season all year long! Posts like this will continue to pop up all through the rest of the season. And it's not too late to share your memories with us! Click the link below to fill out the form, and your memory may yet be shared on social media or documented for future Born-in-a-Barn Players and patrons to read. https://forms.gle/4NZPyMXbmTHdSisf6
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #localtheater #localtheatre #50th #50seasons #themusicman

There are four performances left of "A Few Good Men." Trust us when we say you won't want to let this one pass you by! Here are a few things we've heard from our patrons so far:
"We were so impressed, such great talent!"
"The cast of this ... production was nearly perfect."
"I would love to see more solid straight plays... This was phenomenal."
"First time to this theater and it won't be the last!"
And 3 standing ovations at the 3 performances of our opening weekend agree - "A Few Good Men" is a hit you don't want to miss!
Get tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. Remaining performances are September 10, 11, 12, & 13. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and at 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand will open 1 hour before the show starts, and the house will be open for seating at this time as well.

More about A Few Good Men: Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking debut tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. During the course of the trial, they uncover a high-level conspiracy designed to eliminate weaker soldiers in the name of patriotism. These lawyers will go to great lengths to get the truth, but can they handle it? Recognizing our nation’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the armed forces with this classic play. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #drama #courtroomdrama #afewgoodmen #youcanthandlethetruth

A-TEN-HUT!
Tonight is the opening night of "A Few Good Men." We'd like to say congratulations and break a leg to the entire cast and crew! It took a lot of long hours and late nights, but this show is definitely spectacular. We hope you'll join us for this amazing production. Get your tickets now at lofte.org/tickets or call the box office at 402-234-2553.

Performances are September 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, & 13. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand will open 1 hour before the show starts, and the house will be open for seating at this time as well.

More about A Few Good Men: Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking debut tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. During the course of the trial, they uncover a high-level conspiracy designed to eliminate weaker soldiers in the name of patriotism. These lawyers will go to great lengths to get the truth, but can they handle it? Recognizing our nation’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the armed forces with this classic play. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #drama #courtroomdrama #afewgoodmen #youcanthandlethetruth

We are excited to share some of the cast of our upcoming production of "A Few Good Men." Here we have Kevin Baxter and Evan Dunker as M.P.s and Samantha Loudon as a Member of the Jury. To see this fantastic production, get your tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. To read more about these performers and our entire cast, please see our program.

Kevin has lived in Weeping Water, Nebraska, for most of his life. He is a trainer at Eagle Hollow Scream Park and enjoys bringing his energy and creativity to the community. A Few Good Men marks Kevin’s first play at the Lofte Community Theatre. He is especially proud of his three sons, all of whom serve in the military. Their dedication and service inspired Kevin to step outside his comfort zone and audition for a Lofte production. He is excited to be part of the cast and looks forward to sharing this experience with the audience.

Evan is excited to be on The Lofte stage once again. His previous roles include Third Man in The Diary of Anne Frank, Baseball Player in Our Town, and Terry in One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall. He would like to thank his family for being so supportive. As well as everyone else for picking this as their form of entertainment.

Samantha, who is a longtime professional audience member, is excited to trade her usual seat for a spot on the jury. After 15 years away from the stage, she is back in the spotlight (or near it) and eager to share the stage with some of her favorite performers. A special thank you to her family, who have always encouraged her flair for the dramatic—and to her partner, Wade, whose flair for the dramatic is even greater.

For information about our entire cast and crew, please see our program. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

We are delighted to share some of the cast of our upcoming production of "A Few Good Men." Here we have Randy Wallace as Lawyer #1 and Neal Herring as Lawyer #2, as well as Andrew E. Garey as Tom. To see this wonderful production, get your tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. To read more about these performers and our entire cast, please see our program.

Randy is happy to be back at the Lofte and is a veteran of over 40 local productions since starting with The Producers here in 2013. In 2026, he has waited for a train in Regrets (Omaha Fringe Festival), sang in the chorus for Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Papillion Community Theatre), and blew things up in You Can’t Take It With You (Lofte). Other favorites include Something Rotten, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, Hello, Dolly!, On Golden Pond, Diary of Anne Frank, Parade, and Spamalot, to name just a few.

Neal is excited and honored to be a part of the Lofte's 50th anniversary season and celebration. This marks his 10th production since becoming a “Born-in-a-Barn” player. Favorite shows include Harvey, Moon Over Buffalo, Rumors, Making God Laugh, and Noises Off. He has performed in other theaters in the Omaha area for several years. However, Neal started his theatrical adventures as a youth in Texas, specializing in Musical and Comedy Theater. Neal is very proud to be a father of three wonderful children and their spouses, and grandfather to two precious grandsons. Neal truly appreciates the love and support of the Lofte Community, his family, and many friends!

Andrew is happy to bring his 23 years of military experience to this production. This will be his first production with the theater. He currently works for the US Army Reserve as a civilian and is a Major in the Army Reserves. He enjoys spending time with his veteran Lofte actress, Madison, and his five children, Conner, Delaney, June, John, and Lee. His hobbies are reading, exercising, and playing video games.

For information about our entire cast and crew, please see our program. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

We are thrilled to share some of the cast of our upcoming production of "A Few Good Men." Here we have Josh Zeplin as Cpl. Dunn, Jacob Westby as Cpl. Hammaker, and Jesse Beaudette as the Orderly. To see this wonderful production, get your tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. To read more about these performers and our entire cast, please see our program.

Josh is an Omaha native and is performing in his first show here at the Lofte and his second show ever! “I am honored and extremely grateful to be a part of this cast of amazing people, and I have enjoyed being involved here at The Lofte!”

Jacob is very excited to make his Lofte Community Theatre debut! For the past 12 years, he has been a part of numerous productions throughout the Nebraska/Iowa area as an actor and on tech crews. Some of his favorite roles include Lon Smith in Meet Me In St. Louis at Chanticleer, Dippy in Anything Goes at UNO, and Clarence in It's A Wonderful Life as a radio play at IWCC. His last, and personal favorite, tech role was the props run crew for Titanic: The Musical at OCP. He thanks his friends and family for all their love and support, and would like to give a special thanks to his uncle Jim Donovan for his service in the United States Army.

Jesse has loved the performing arts for as long as he can remember, whether he was on stage or enjoying an entertaining performance from the audience. After moving to Colorado for work, Jesse recently returned home to the Lincoln area and was excited to reconnect with live theatre. He made his Lofte debut as a member of the ensemble in Beauty and the Beast (2024) and is thrilled to be back for A Few Good Men. Jesse would like to thank everyone at the Lofte for making this such a welcoming community, as well as his family and friends for their unwavering support—and for somehow finding the enthusiasm to attend yet another one of his performances!

For information about our entire cast and crew, please see our program. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

We are pleased to share some of the cast of our upcoming production of "A Few Good Men." Here we have Amaury A. Colvarro as PFC William T. Santiago, J.J. Davis as Cmdr. Dr. Walter Stone, and Robert Wagner as Sgt. At Arms. To see this outstanding production, get your tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. To read more about these performers and our entire cast, please see our program.

Amaury is coming back to the stage after 17 years! His last performance was in a high school production of *Fame* during his senior year in NY. Amaury also enjoys Dungeons and Dragons, video games, and cooking! Amaury currently works part-time at NFM and is pursuing a 2nd bachelor’s degree at UNO in computer science. Amaury loves his cats, friends, and especially his wife Samantha. If it weren't for her, he would literally be in a different place. Samantha is the inspiration, light, and fire for Amaury, and he’s so grateful that he met her and her world.

J.J. is a veteran of the Lofte stage. He is honored to represent this “small jewel in SE Nebraska”, as he calls it. He continues to sing the praises of Artistic Director Kevin Colbert, “the best Actor in the Room,” as JJ has always said. Mr. Davis would also like to thank his wife of 36 years, Joan Davis, along with their three children, for encouraging him to pursue one of his passions. “Victory is in the attempt,” JJ has been known to say.

Robert has appeared in numerous shows since coming back to the theater in 2021 after a 31-year hiatus. Some of his recent appearances are The Grand Poobah in Cassidy Croft and the Lost Treasure of Jesse James (2026) at the Florentine Players, Peter Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life (2024), and Harry Pepper in Barefoot in the Park (2024) at Bellevue Little Theatre.He attends the 402 Arts Collective: Acting Exploration class taught by Steve Hydeen. He is a Software Quality Assurance Analyst by trade and served three years in the US Army as an Armored Cavalry Scout.

For information about our entire cast and crew, please see our program. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

We are pleased to share some of the cast of our upcoming production of "A Few Good Men." Here we have Nick Herink as Lt. Jack Ross, Jude Glaser as Cpl. Jeffrey Owen Howard, and Stanley Tracey as Col. Julius Alexander Randolph. To see this outstanding production, get your tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. To read more about these performers and our entire cast, please see our program.

Nick is thrilled to be back at the Lofte after appearing in Mousetrap (OEAA Nomination), Moon Over Buffalo, The Last Mass at St. Casimir’s, and Love/Sick. Nick teaches English and coaches speech at Lincoln East - his team has won the NSAA Class A State Championship four years in a row and has been named the National Runners-up the last two! Nick wants to thank Dylan for his support and everyone at the Lofte for making this such fun!

Jude is so excited to be back on the Lofte stage after last being seen in The Music Man here around 11 years ago! This insanely talented cast and directing team has been an absolute pleasure to work with, and he is very grateful to be a part of it! Jude loves getting to perform around the theater community whenever he can and hopes you all enjoy the show!

Stanley was seen earlier in this 50th Anniversary season for the Lofte as Boris Kolenkhov in You Can’t Take It With You. A Few Good Men marks Stan’s seventh appearance at the Lofte. After a long career as an Army lawyer, he is thrilled to have now been elevated to a Judgeship in this absorbing play. Stan and his wife Joan have been blessed with five wonderful children – and their first grandchild is on the way. Their son Tim is a Marine JAG prosecutor who would be right at home in this show, and Tim’s wife Zoe is a Navy pilot. Stan hopes that you enjoy this moving military drama. Thank you for supporting live theater!

For information about our entire cast and crew, please see our program. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

We are delighted to share some of the cast of our upcoming production of "A Few Good Men." Here we have Christopher Becker as Lt. Jonathan James Kendrick, Scott Awalt as Capt. Isaac Whitaker, and Mark W. Reid as capt. Matthew A. Markinson. To see this outstanding production, get your tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. To read more about these performers and our entire cast, please see our program.

Christopher is thrilled to be making his Nebraska theater debut at the Lofte Community Theatre. A native of Virginia, he graduated from Hofstra University in 2019 with a Bachelor's in Film Production, while participating in both club and department productions in the Hofstra Department of Drama and Dance. He would like to thank his family for their unending support, the cast and crew for being such welcoming and talented artists, and Lizzy, Ash, and Jade for kicking him out the door to get back on the stage.

Scott is performing in his first show with the Lofte and his first show since moving to Nebraska four years ago. Before moving to Omaha, he spent 26 years in Fargo, ND, performing in over 35 shows. Some of his favorites include The Boys Next Door, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and Harvey. Scott currently works at Boys Town, and while he is happy to be back on stage, Astrid (his cat) is not a fan. She has been very vocal about how the change in routine is destroying her life.

Mark is thrilled to be making his return to the Lofte Theatre, after having recently appeared in You Can’t Take It With You and Moon Over Buffalo. He is a retired thirty-five-year Navy veteran who has appeared in nearly 100 community theatre productions in Nebraska, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Washington, and in Europe. He co-founded the Naples, Italy Community Theatre and has written seventeen plays. He thanks the Lofte community for this beautiful playhouse. As always, love to his husband Jim, Mom Susie, and four children Camryn, Hayden, Kaiser, and Jayden.

For information about our entire cast and crew, please see our program. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

We are thrilled to share some of the cast of our upcoming production of "A Few Good Men." Here we have Nathan Kreutzer as LCpl. Harold W. Dawson, Colton Knott as PFC Louden Downey, and Calvin Schlautman as Lt. J.G. Sam Weinberg. To see this amazing production, get your tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. To read more about these performers and our entire cast, please see our program.

Nathan is back in the barn. His last appearance was as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. If you don't recognize him that's okay, we don't either. He's still happy to be here exploring new roles and enjoying the theater and people of the barn. A special thank you to Casey for adjusting to less hair.

Colton is excited to return to the Lofte for his fourth production! Recent credits include Prince Charming in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Donald in You Can’t Take It With You (Lofte Community Theatre) and Peter Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank (Lincoln Community Playhouse). He is a sophomore Journalism and Broadcasting major with a minor in theatre at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Additionally, Colton is a news intern at KOLN 10/11, senior news reporter for the Daily Nebraskan, a peer mentor for the UNL Honors Program, and an assistant speech coach at Gretna East High School. “Thank you to Kevin and the creative team for this opportunity, and to my family, friends and Jada for their constant love and support.”

Calvin is excited for his first production at the Lofte. He currently teaches Speech & Drama at Aspen Creek Middle School in Gretna and helps coach the Gretna East High School’s One Act and Speech Programs. Calvin loves theatre and is starting to get into the community theatre scene both onstage and backstage. In fall of last year, he worked lights and sounds for the Mahoney State Park Melodramas. Calvin is married to his wife of 3 years, Nicole. They met through the theatre program at Doane University. They reside in Gretna.

For information about our entire cast and crew, please see our program.We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

We are excited to share some of the cast of our upcoming production of "A Few Good Men." Here we have Wade Mumford as Lt. J.G. Daniel A. Kaffee, Amanda Charles as Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway, and Jim Knierim as Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep. To see this fantastic production, get your tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. To read more about these performers and our entire cast, please see our program.

Wade joined the Lofte family in 2006 as a child actor in South Pacific. Twenty years and 27 productions later, he continues to hone his craft on the Lofte stage. Wade has also trod the boards of The Lincoln Community Playhouse, TADA and the Nebraska Communities Playhouse in Hickman. “I am thankful to be a part of the 50th Lofte season and humbled that I have the opportunity to portray a member of the military. Deep gratitude to all military personnel, especially those in this cast who have served or are currently serving. And to my theatre friends and fans everywhere--Waka Waka!”

Amanda is delighted to be back for her fifth show at the Lofte Community Theatre. Some favorite past roles have included Grace in Radium Girls at the Lofte, Mayzie in Seussical at Elkhorn Community Theatre, Cassie in Bold Girls at Brigit St. Brigit and Nell/Myrtle Crow in A Christmas Carol at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Amanda wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing Lofte family for all their love and support. You are gems, each and every one of you.

Jim is proud to be in a show honoring our military as we celebrate our nation’s 250th Birthday. It is also amazing to celebrate the Lofte’s 50th Anniversary this year! Jim was last seen on the Lofte stage as Jimmer in Escanaba in da Moonlight. He has been fortunate to be in many shows at the Lofte, Mahoney State Park, The Omaha Community Playhouse, and various other theatres in the Omaha area. Jim would like to dedicate this show to his parents, John and Dorothy Knierim.

For information about our entire cast and crew, please see our program.We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

AUDITIONS NEXT WEEK!
Christmas at Leon's. Music, lyrics, and book by Kevin Colbert and Mick Kovar
Auditions for the final show of our 50th season will be held September 6th and 7th at 6:30 pm at The Lofte Community Theatre, 15841 Manley Road, Manley, NE. Showtimes are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Performance Dates are December 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, & 20.
Whether you're new to the stage or an experienced performer, the Lofte Community Theatre welcomes everyone to audition for our productions! RSVP or scheduling a time slot is not required. Please come a few minutes early to auditions with possible rehearsal and performance conflicts, and be prepared to read lines. For musicals, bring a prepared song no more than one minute in length and attire for dancing. A piano accompanist is provided. Note: Age suggestions in the script will not be the deciding factor in casting. Actors of all abilities, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and experiences are encouraged to audition.
For details about our auditions this season, visit lofte.org/2026-auditions
Cast Information: 16 cast members, women and men, ages 16 to 80+
We look forward to seeing you!

More about Christmas at Leon's: To celebrate our 50th season, we revive the Lofte’s homegrown Christmas musical! It’s Christmas Eve, and a busload of troubled passengers seek refuge at Leon’s diner while waiting out a snowstorm. With a little angelic help, the travelers have a chance to reach their destinations with a renewed Christmas spirit. Last produced on the Lofte stage 5 years ago, join us at Leon’s once again for an evening of laughter and song.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #musical #christmasmusical #christmasatleons #webelieveinchristmaseve

For the average civilian, looking at the cast list for A Few Good Men might as well be a word jumble. A mix of titles, abbreviations, and names, and who knows what it all means. We’re here to offer a little insight into these titles, the men who have them, how the characters relate to one another, and a behind-the-scenes look at the actors portraying some of these roles. To read and learn, visit our blog! https://www.lofte.org/post/from-ranks-to-roles-a-few-good-men

And don't forget to get tickets for "A Few Good Men." Visit lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. Performances are September 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, & 13. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand will open 1 hour before the show starts, and the house will be open for seating at this time as well.
We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #drama #courtroomdrama #afewgoodmen #youcanthandlethetruth

UPDATE: The contest has concluded. Congratulations to our winner: HUNTER SIECKMEYER! Thank you to everyone who left a comment, and stay tuned for more contests throughout our 50th season!

You could win 2 free tickets to our upcoming production of "A Few Good Men," which opens in just 1 week! While running, many members of the armed forces use a chant like the one in the picture to keep the beat and regulate their breathing. Now it's your turn! Finish one or both of these sentences in the comments:
"I don't know, but I've been told..." or "I don't know, but it's been said..."
Ideally, they should match the beat and rhyme, like the examples in the image!
Users who leave a comment starting now through Monday, August 31st at 11:59 pm will be entered to win. The drawing will be done on Tuesday, September 1st, and the winner will be chosen at random from the commenters here and on Instagram. We will reply to the winning user's comment once the winner is decided and update this post's description. This image is also shared on Instagram, and users may comment once per platform (once on Facebook and once on Instagram) for a total of two entries per person. One winner will be chosen unless we receive over 100 comments; then we will pick two winners. Tickets are valid for any performance of "A Few Good Men," at The Lofte community Theatre in September 2026. If you have questions, please send us a direct message on Facebook of Instagram, and we will happily answer as many as we can. Have fun!

Performances are September 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, & 13 Get tickets at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand will open 1 hour before the show starts, and the house will be open for seating at this time as well. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #drama #courtroomdrama #afewgoodmen #youcanthandlethetruth

This year marked the 3rd time the production of "You Can't Take It With You" graced the Lofte stage. The first was in 1984 and the second was in 2004. During that 2004 production, we had to send everyone home halfway through the opening night performance due to severe weather. Though the years go by, the Sycamore/Vanderhof family stays the same, and so do their prayers.
"Well, sir, here we are again. Getting on pretty good for quite a while now, we're certainly much obliged... Remember, all we ask is just to go along the way we are. And keep our health. As far as anything else is concerned. We leave that up to you. Thank you."

We are going to keep on celebrating our 50th season all year long! Posts like this will continue to pop up all through the rest of the season. And it's not too late to share your memories with us! Click the link below to fill out the form, and your memory may yet be shared on social media or documented for future Born-in-a-Barn Players and patrons to read. https://forms.gle/4NZPyMXbmTHdSisf6
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #localtheater #localtheatre #50th #50seasons #youcanttakeitwithyou

Is "A Few Good" your first time coming to the Lofte? Have you been before but want more details or information and aren't sure where to go? We are here to help! Check out the Know Before You Go page on our website at lofte.org/knowbeforeyougo for all your show-day needs! It includes information on planning travel, performance details, and our concessions menu. And, as always, parking is free!
Get tickets to "A Few Good Men" at lofte.org/tickets or call 402-234-2553. Performances are September 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, & 13. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand will open 1 hour before the show starts, and the house will be open for seating at this time as well.

More about A Few Good Men: Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking debut tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. During the course of the trial, they uncover a high-level conspiracy designed to eliminate weaker soldiers in the name of patriotism. These lawyers will go to great lengths to get the truth, but can they handle it? Recognizing our nation’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the armed forces with this classic play. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made our 50th Season Gala so special! And an extra shout-out to @grinandshareitphotobooth for taking all of these gorgeous pictures! #gala #50seasons #celebration #adreamagoalareality #lofte #loftetheatre #livelaughlofte

Join us for some chow! During performances of "A Few Good Men," you can visit "The Feedbucket," our concession stand, and pick up our Chow Dinner Plate. The sandwich is chicken salad with garden greens and red onion. Then you can get potato salad, kettle chips, and a pickle spear on the side. All that, plus a beverage, is $10, or $12 with a premium beverage. This will only be available during performances of "A Few Good Men!" Metal dining tray not included.

More about A Few Good Men: Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking debut tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. During the course of the trial, they uncover a high-level conspiracy designed to eliminate weaker soldiers in the name of patriotism. These lawyers will go to great lengths to get the truth, but can they handle it? Recognizing our nation’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the armed forces with this classic play. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #drama #courtroomdrama #afewgoodmen #youcanthandlethetruth

UPCOMING AUDITIONS!
Christmas at Leon's. Music, lyrics, and book by Kevin Colbert and Mick Kovar
Auditions for the final show of our 50th season will be held September 6th and 7th at 6:30 pm at The Lofte Community Theatre, 15841 Manley Road, Manley, NE. Showtimes are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Performance Dates are December 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, & 20.
Whether you're new to the stage or an experienced performer, the Lofte Community Theatre welcomes everyone to audition for our productions! RSVP or scheduling a time slot is not required. Please come a few minutes early to auditions with possible rehearsal and performance conflicts, and be prepared to read lines. For musicals, bring a prepared song no more than one minute in length and attire for dancing. A piano accompanist is provided. Note: Age suggestions in the script will not be the deciding factor in casting. Actors of all abilities, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and experiences are encouraged to audition.
For details about our auditions this season, visit lofte.org/2026-auditions
Cast Information: 16 cast members, women and men, ages 16 to 80+
We look forward to seeing you!

More about Christmas at Leon's: To celebrate our 50th season, we revive the Lofte’s homegrown Christmas musical! It’s Christmas Eve, and a busload of troubled passengers seek refuge at Leon’s diner while waiting out a snowstorm. With a little angelic help, the travelers have a chance to reach their destinations with a renewed Christmas spirit. Last produced on the Lofte stage 5 years ago, join us at Leon’s once again for an evening of laughter and song.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #musical #christmasmusical #christmasatleons #webelieveinchristmaseve

We would like to give a huge shout-out to Cakes By Tiffany (@cakesbytiffany) who put together this amazing cake for our 50th anniversary gala. Not only did it look gorgeous, but it tasted amazing too! We personally loved all of the popcorn! We heard so many amazing compliments on it and thought it was the perfect centerpiece for our dessert table. Thank you, Tiffany!

Exactly 1 week ago was our 50th Season Gala Celebration, and man, it was a wild time! Here are a few highlights from the evening. Over 250 guests were in attendance! We had multiple speakers, presenters, songs, and scenes throughout the evening. Featured performers and speakers included Born-in-a-Barn Players, past and current board members, past and current board chairpeople, close friends and relatives, cast members from each of our productions of Godspell, and our artistic director, Kevin Colbert. Songs were heard from previous Lofte productions, including Annie Get Your Gun, Kiss Me Kate, Shenandoah, Godspell, Cinderella, 9 to 5, and so much more. We honored our founders, Diane (BJ) and Bill Reese, and thanked them for getting us started. The Lofte Stage was officially named the Kevin Colbert Stage. The family of Bob and Margie Pinkerton donated a ghost light in their honor. May it shine brightly in honor of all of those we have lost for years to come.

It was a truly fantastic event with amazing food and wonderful performances. We'd like to thank everyone who made this night possible. We can't list all the names of the people who helped us come this far just due to character limits! Here's hoping we can celebrate again in another 50 years. We would like to thank everyone who worked on the gala committee for organizing the event. A special thank you to Danielle Thies for leading the committee and ensuring the night was as perfect as could be. Thank you to our committee members: Wendy Allen, Kevin Colbert, Samantha Colvarro, Christa Dunker, Madison Garey, Alex Geditz, Nick Haussler, Jim Knierim, Anne Riha, Jean Saadi, Barb Smisek, Aaron Spracklin, Connor Willingham, and Jean Wymore. And thanks to everyone who came out and made the night truly special!
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #localtheater #localtheatre #50th #50seasons #gala

ATTENTION! Our production of "A Few Good Men" opens in only 2 weeks! Better get yourself in order - you won't want to miss this thrilling and captivating production. Tickets are available at lofte.org/tickets or by calling the box office at 402-234-2553. Get yours today - that's an order!

Performances are September 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, & 13. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand will open 1 hour before the show starts, and the house will be open for seating at this time as well.

More about A Few Good Men: Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking debut tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. During the course of the trial, they uncover a high-level conspiracy designed to eliminate weaker soldiers in the name of patriotism. These lawyers will go to great lengths to get the truth, but can they handle it? Recognizing our nation’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the armed forces with this classic play. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #drama #courtroomdrama #afewgoodmen #youcanthandlethetruth

Presenting the cast list for our upcoming production of "A Few Good Men." We're excited to have some returning Born-in-a-Barn players on the stage for this one, as well as a lot of new faces. Rehearsals are sounding spectacular so far, this will be a show you won't want to miss. Get your tickets now by calling 402-234-2553 or visit lofte.org/tickets and get yours today!
Performances are September 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, & 13. Shows start at 7:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2:00 on Sundays. The concession stand will open 1 hour before the show starts, and the house will be open for seating at this time as well.

More about A Few Good Men: Aaron Sorkin’s groundbreaking debut tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. During the course of the trial, they uncover a high-level conspiracy designed to eliminate weaker soldiers in the name of patriotism. These lawyers will go to great lengths to get the truth, but can they handle it? Recognizing our nation’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the armed forces with this classic play. We suggest considering this show rated R due to strong adult language and depictions of violence.
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #CassCounty #Lincoln #Omaha #WeepingWater #Manley #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #drama #courtroomdrama #afewgoodmen #youcanthandlethetruth

Public nominations for the 2026 OEA Awards are open through August 31st. We have 6 shows that would be eligible. If you feel that you've seen outstanding productions and performances at our theatre, we encourage you to nominate us, our crew, and/or our performers! Nominations may be submitted at https://www.oea-awards.org/vote/
All shows must have performed their work between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026. Included here are pictures of the cast and crew for each production within that time frame (in chronological order), as well as awards that some individuals might be eligible for. Keep in mind that you do not have to nominate someone for every category, and we encourage you to only nominate people who you feel truly did an outstanding job in their role. We may have missed some actors or placed people in different categories than you expected. The nominations and awards are subjective, so please nominate in a way that you feel makes sense - you can also nominate people not listed here! Some crew members did the same job across multiple productions; however, they can only be nominated for 1 production. Please choose the production where you feel their talents and abilities shone the most. If you have any concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to message us, and we'd be happy to assist!
We appreciate any and all support and are excited to celebrate excellence in our theatre community. Thank you!
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#Lofte #TheLofte #BornInABarn #LofteTheater #CommunityTheater #CommunityTheatre #Volunteer #Nebraska #Omaha #theatre #theater #live #livetheater #livetheatre #thelastmassatstcasimirs #rumors #onechristmaseveatevergreenmall #youcanttakeitwithyou #makinggodlaugh #cinderella

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Lofte Community Theatre

Bringing the Arts to Rural Nebraska

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

October 30th & 31st @ 7 PM; November 1st @ 1 PM

Lofte Movie Night Showing...
The Rocky Horror Picture Show

- Hosted by Dr. San Guinary, creature feature horror host -

October 31st (After Murder Mystery Dinner)

Movie starts @ 11 PM

Drinks and trivia prior to the movie

$5 Admission

Veteran’s Day Concert

November 8th @ 2:30 PM

Honor our country’s heroes with this free concert event. Bring the whole family to this patriotic performance by the Southeast Nebraska Community Band as we thank all who have served.

Free Admission- Free Popcorn for Veterans

Volunteer!

Social Media

Follow us on Instagram

Calendar of Events

Gold sponsors

The Lofte Community Theatre and Born-In-A-Barn Players are dedicated to providing opportunities for all ages to participate in the creative process and to enjoy the social, artistic, and educational benefits of all art forms.

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

October 30th & 31st @ 7 PM; November 1st @ 1 PM

​​

​

​

Lofte Movie Night Showing... The Rocky Horror Picture Show

- Hosted by Dr. San Guinary, creature feature horror host -

​

October 31st (After Murder Mystery Dinner)​

Movie starts @ 11 PM

Drinks and trivia prior to the movie

$5 Admission

​

​

​

Veteran’s Day Concert

November 8th @ 2:30 PM Honor our country’s heroes with this free concert event. Bring the whole family to this patriotic performance by the Southeast Nebraska Community Band as we thank all who have served. Free Admission- Free Popcorn for Veterans

Volunteer!

Social Media

​

Follow us on Instagram

Calendar of Events

Gold sponsors

The Lofte Community Theatre and Born-In-A-Barn Players are dedicated to providing opportunities for all ages to participate in the creative process and to enjoy the social, artistic, and educational benefits of all art forms.

Lofte Movie Night Showing...
The Rocky Horror Picture Show

October 31st (After Murder Mystery Dinner)

November 8th @ 2:30 PM

Honor our country’s heroes with this free concert event. Bring the whole family to this patriotic performance by the Southeast Nebraska Community Band as we thank all who have served.

Free Admission- Free Popcorn for Veterans