Mary Ann Saunders passes away

April 17, 2025

On April 17, we lost Mary Ann Saunders, our friend, our colleague, and a champion of Theatre Lawrence. 


Since the late 1990s Mary Ann has probably touched every show and every volunteer coming through the Theatre doors.  A talented master painter, she could use a feather to turn a surface into marble and a broom to woodgrain a floor.  Her rocks, her clouds, her colors were true works of art. In her years at TL she painted, but also directed, stage managed, did hair, make-up, props, and engineered concessions. She “mothered” volunteers with stews and water bottles and ice packs and band-aids.


In 2003 she took over the directorship of the Vintage Players and shepherded that group through performances and activities ranging from grade schools to retirement homes. In 2008 Mary Ann was inducted into the Theatre Lawrence Volunteer Hall of Fame.  Her partnership in doing shows with Piet Knetsch spanned 24 shows, with the 25th, CLUE, still in rehearsal.


She was tireless in her commitment not only to the Theatre as an institution, but to the people with whom she played, performed and worked. She loved her sons, her grandkids, her dog Samson and Theatre Lawrence. We will all miss her enormously.


See her full obituary here.


A memorial service will be held at Theatre Lawrence beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Theatre Lawrence's Vintage Players program.

Click here to contribute

Theatre Lawrence News & Announcements

Escape to those summer vibes

By Jamie Ulmer • June 2, 2025
What better way to kick off those laid-back summer vibes than with our season-closing musical, Escape to Margaritaville ? The music of Jimmy Buffett invites us to relax and enjoy ourselves—and let’s be honest, we could all use a little “License to Chill.” But what is it about Buffett and his music that inspired devoted fans, restaurants, resorts, and of course, a Broadway musical? Now, I’m no Parrothead, but it doesn’t take much to see the appeal. Buffett’s music blends multiple genres and sounds—country, rock, and Caribbean influences—that celebrate escapism, a relaxed attitude, and that unmistakable “beach life” feeling. His songs are relatable. We all want to find joy, freedom, and sometimes a little redemption, preferably with a dash of humor. It all adds up to a timeless appeal. Buffett’s music is custom-made for summer BBQs, sipping drinks poolside, or just taking a mental vacation in the middle of a hectic workday. That music, of course, led to an entire culture around being a Parrothead - Hawaiian shirts, margaritas, and chill vibes became the trademarks of devoted fans who try not to take life too seriously. And then there’s the business empire, which may contribute most to the enduring celebration of the “Buffett lifestyle,” even after his passing. He turned his persona into a brand—complete with restaurants, resorts (including one opening just down the road in a few weeks), and more. So now, it’s time to sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy your official start to summer. Enjoy the show, Jamie Ulmer Executive Director

Margarita pre-show class June 20

May 30, 2025
Join us for a presentation by margarita expert, Phil Bradley, on Friday, June 20 from 6-7 PM. This special pre-show event will feature: Tips on how to spice up your Margarita Salt vs Sugar On the rock vs frozen  Fancy embellishments Includes 1 drink ticket for a margarita at the TL bar AND MORE! Limited Availability! When purchasing tickets for the June 20 performance you will be given the opportunity to add this experience for $10 per person. If you are not attending the performance, you can still boost your margarita skills and be part of this bonus event for $20. Click here to purchase EVENT ONLY TICKETS.

Hey, how's it going?

By Jamie Ulmer • May 13, 2025
How are things at the theatre? That’s the standard way I’m greeted when out and about. I certainly don’t mind, and it’s more interesting than the non-interest greeting of “how are you?” The theatre is a much more interesting topic of conversation than I am. At the same time, I know people don’t have time for a complete answer of how things are going at Theatre Lawrence. In short, good – busy as always. The slightly longer answer is – very busy but we’re keeping all the plates spinning and proud of what we’re achieving. Somehow, we are just a few weeks away from wrapping up the regular season with “Escape to Margaritaville.” Things are gearing up for all our summer youth programs including starting rehearsals for “The Lightning Thief” and the Penguins are hard at work on “Little Mermaid, Jr”. The new season will be here before we know it. Early bird season tickets for the 2025-2026 season are available now, and we’re in the midst of all the planning and staffing up for those shows. It’s also a time of challenges. We are planning our way forward following the loss of our friend and colleague Mary Ann Saunders. Like many individuals and organizations, we are keeping an eye on the latest developments from the Federal government and how it may impact us and our community going forward. Overall, though, things at the theatre are going well, with solid attendance, and excitement about future projects. See you at the theatre Jamie Ulmer Executive Director
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