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Friday night in Ely, as wildfires burn nearby, the Northern Lakes Arts Association is opening its production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

“Our whole thing is about keeping the normalcy,” said Ian Francis Lah, the executive artistic director. “We want the people of Ely and the surrounding communities to feel like yes, there is this thing outside of our control that is happening, and it is big and it is scary, but within that there needs to be a little bit of ease of life.”

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Lah said they may not have firefighting resources or lodging for evacuees but the arts association can provide a respite, 90 minutes at a time, in the air-conditioned Vermillion Fine Arts Center. Lah has also made ticket prices pay what you can to remove any obstacles to community members in need.

 series, which brings in performers from across the country to produce professional musical theater alongside local talent.

"Theater for me has the power of super empathy, and it brings people into a room to experience something together that allows us to think and process and enjoy, and have a moment outside of time together," Lah said.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” is an apt story for the moment, Lah said, as it’s about a community weathering hard times together. 

“And I think it double plays because it's such an ensemble-based show, it's really shown how people working together can make these incredible things happen,” Lah said.

As for lowering the ticket prices, Lah said that the Broadway series has been doing well this summer so “we're willing to take a hit to open the doors to everyone, to make space, to invite them in, to make sure all are welcome, because that's more important in this moment than maybe breaking even.”

The association has a plan for its performers in case of an evacuation, but as for now, “morale is pretty high.” Rehearsing and preparing for the production has been a good distraction for the artists and staff, too.

“They were so focused in on making sure this production tells the story and has the heart that we want it to have that it allowed them to escape whatever was happening outside of the theater building for an hour or three,” Lah said.

The Northern Lakes Arts Association is also continuing its Stars of the North Youth Theater Camp for teens ages 12-18, which will culminate with

 two performances on Aug. 1 of “Mean Girls.”

“It's scary times. Most of them have not experienced something like this,” Lah said. “So, let's give them that little something they can ground into and enjoy for the day, and hopefully forget a little bit of the outside.”

The wildfires are likely to continue until winter comes, and Ely has become a command center for fighting them, Lah said. The arts can play a role in grounding the community in the meantime. 

“That is what will help this area over the next months is finding these moments of when we can come together, be it for a show, be it for a gathering at a local church, whatever it may be,” Lah said. “These are the moments that are going to keep a community strong, especially if the worst comes to shove.”

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Alex V. Cipolle

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The Northern Lakes Arts Association continues with its Broadway in the Boundary Waters production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” July 17-26, with lowered ticket prices, to provide an escape for community.

As wildfires burn, an Ely theater opens its doors to community

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