About the Production

Arla Mae’s Booyah Wagon is a poignant musical comedy that will travel to communities in Minnesota is 2021. The project is a unique collaboration between local actor Sarah Agnew and James Beard Award-winning chef Ann Kim. AMBW is designed to illuminate the benefits of buying and eating fresh, local food. Ann Kim will develop a unique booyah recipe (a traditional, thick stew served at fundraisers and community events in the upper Midwest), that can be sampled at most performances. The show will feature a troupe of performers traveling in a food truck in search of the recipe that once made Arla Mae famous. The show is created, directed and performed by Sarah Agnew and features local performers Jim Lichtscheidl (Guthrie, Jungle, Ten Thousand Things), Elise Langer (Ten Thousand Things), Oogie Push (New Native Theater, Full Circle), and Eriq Nelson (“The Dude,” Minneapolis Children’s Hospital). The set design is by Nick Golfis (Guthrie Theater), with original music by Eric Jensen (the Moving Company).


The Booyah Recipe 8-10 Gallons

On the tour we served over 40 gallons of booyah. The recipe for the booyah served is located here.


Locations Performed:

Falwell Park:  Minneapolis, MN

Freedom Park: Prescott, WI

The Rotary Pavilion:  Hastings, MN

Silverwood Park: St Anthony, MN

Frogtown Farm:  St Paul, MN

Central Park Bandshell:  Faribault, MN

Milt’s Barn:  Pelican Rapids, MN

Urban Roots: St Paul, MN

Swede Hollow Park: St Paul, MN

Wadena Salsa Fest (Burlington Northern Park): Wadena, MN

Little Falls: Little Falls, MN

Open Eye Figure Theater : Minneapolis, MN 

Dundas Keepsake Cidery:  Dundas, MN

Crookston Downtown Square:  Crookston, MN

Far North Spirits:  Hallock, MN

Art Center:  Stephen, MN

Cannon River Winery:  Cannon Falls, MN

Ferndale Market: Cannon Falls, MN

Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm: Waseca, MN

Dream Acres Farm: Spring Valley, MN

Big Raven Farm: Spring Grove, MN

Central Park: Northfield, MN

Squash Blossom Farms: Oronoco, MN

Sheldon Theater: Red Wing, MN



Cast and Collaborators:

Sarah Agnew as Arla Mae

Jim Lichtscheidl as Earl

Eriq Nelson as Burl

Oogie_Push as Jean/Agnes

Elise Langer as Margie Peterson

Production Staff:

Sarah Agnew: Conception, Creation, Direction

Ashley Raper, Stage Manager

Eric Jensen: Composer

Jim Lichtscheidl: Choreographer

Nick Golfi s: Booyah Wagon Designer

Nick Golfi s: Props Designer

Matt Gilbertson: Booyah Wagon Builder