From left, Leslie Lorusso (Baker's Wife) and Ben Nordstrom (the Baker) in a scene from "Into the Woods," now playing at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. (Contributed photo) [Click to enlarge]

While it is considered rude to ask questions during a theater performance, the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre's Talk Back series allows patrons to ask questions after the show.

Now in its third year, the program invites theater-goers to stay after one performance of each production and visit with the cast, designers and crew. For "Into the Woods," now showing at the Lyceum, the Talk Back is scheduled for June 15.

"For many people the inner workings of the theater are a mystery," said Quin Gresham, Lyceum artistic director, describing how the idea came about for the 2005 season. "We were looking for a way to help inform as well as entertain."

The result is that patrons are able to learn first-hand from the people who make the productions come to life. And with the event taking place immediately following the show, the questions are still fresh in their minds.

The Talk Back for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" will follow the June 29 performance, with the next session following the July 13 performance of "Sugar." The series continues on July 27 following "The Sunshine Boys" and Aug. 10 with "The Philadelphia Story." On Aug. 24, patrons will be able to learn about what went into staging Steven King's "Misery." The final two Talk Back sessions will be held following the Sept. 14 performance of "Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming" and the Oct. 3 "Children of a Lesser God" show.

The Talk Back series is not the only way the Lyceum is showing its appreciation this season, however. Working to lose some of its "best kept secret" status, the Lyceum is hosting a series of Community Nights, which invite residents of local towns to come to Arrow Rock and experience live theatre.

"A lot of our audience travels a good distance to see our shows, and we think that's great," Gresham said. "But we would love for our neighbors to enjoy them too."

The first community night, this one for Boonville, will be held on June 15. Boonville residents who bring a valid driver's license will receive $10 off the price of their ticket for the evening's performance. Arrow Rock residents are invited on June 23 and Warrensburg residents can receive their discount on June 30. The Community Night for Marshall residents will be held on July 13 and the evening for those living in Sedalia will be Aug. 10. Jefferson City residents are invited on Sept. 15 and Columbia's Community Night will take place on Oct. 3.

"Of course, we hope that once they come, people will come back again and again," Gresham said. "We're very proud of what we do here and we want to share it with as many people as possible."

In addition to fine regional theater, the Lyceum will also give its patrons the opportunity to sample locally produced wine in a series of four tastings co-hosted by Les Bourgeois. These events will take place at the June 27 matinée performance of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," the July 14 evening performance of "The Sunshine Boys," the Aug. 17 evening production of "Misery" and the Sept. 26 matinée performance of "Children of a Lesser God."

Tickets are selling fast this season, but seats are still available. To reserve yours visit the Lyceum's Web site at www.lyceumtheatre.org or call the theater's box office at 660-831-3311. The box office is now running on its summer schedule, allowing patrons to call between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

After "Into the Woods" ends its run on June 20, the season continues June 23 - July 4, with "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer;" July 7 - 18, "Sugar;" July 21 - Aug. 1, "The Sunshine Boys;" Aug. 3 - 15 "The Philadelphia Story," Aug. 17 - 26 "Misery;" Sept. 5 - 16 "Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming;" and ends Sept. 26 - Oct. 7 with "Children of a Lesser God."

The Lyceum Theatre began in 1960 in a 50-seat church in the historic village of Arrow Rock. Today, the Lyceum Theatre ranks as one of the best-known regional theaters in the country and its actors play to a 408-seat audience at the same location.