The Right Thing to Do: The Joe Mauer Story
April 10 - May 10, 2026
Based on the book by Joe Schmit
Book and Music by Michael Mahler
Directed by Sandy Boren-Barrett
When doing the right thing is the simplest choice.
It wasn’t just baseball practice and talent that shaped Hall of Famer, Joe Mauer! In fact, a simple choice set into motion a series of events that would transform not only his life but the lives of those around him. Based on the children’s book of the same name by Joe Schmit, The Right Thing To Do is a lively and inspiring world-premiere musical that explores the power of small acts of kindness, the impact of friendship, and the importance of doing what’s right. With vibrant music, unforgettable characters, and a message that resonates beyond the baseball field, The Right Thing To Do reminds us that every act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to create a ripple effect that transforms our communities and unites us in ways we might never expect.
Recommended for: All Ages
Location: Mainstage Theatre
Show Run Time: 60 Minutes
Resource Guide: Coming soon!
The Right Thing To Do: The Joe Mauer Story is produced with the permission of the author, Joe Schmit.
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Publicity Photos by Amy Rondeau Photography
Music
Preview songs from the show!
The Cast
Check back closer to Opening Night for a complete list!
The Creative Team
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & DIRECTOR – Sandy Boren-Barrett
MUSIC DIRECTOR – JC Lippold
CHOREOGRAPHER – Krysti Wiita
PROPS DESIGNER – Marc Berg
COSTUME & MAKE UP DESIGNER – Rebecca Gardner
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR – Jim Hibbeler
SOUND DESIGNER – Gretchen Katt
SET DESIGNER – Joe Stanley
LIGHTING DESIGNER – Tony Stoeri
WARDROBE SUPERVISOR – Christa Ludwig
PRODUCTION MANAGER – Melanie Salmon-Peterson
STAGE MANAGER – Hailey Ballard
AUTHOR – Joe Schmit
- BOOK & LYRICS – Michael Mahler
Check back closer to Opening Night for a complete list!
Creative Team Bios
Sandy Boren-Barrett
Director
Sandy Boren-Barrett has been with Stages Theatre Company (STC) since 1990, allowing her to pursue her passion for theatre production and education, along with community building theatre serving young audiences. During her time in leadership STC has been awarded National recognition with the 2017 Harold Oaks Award for Innovative Contributions to the Field of Theatre for Young Audiences, as well as the 2018 – 50/50 Applause Award for promoting gender equity with playwrights. STC’s 2019-2020 season selection was highlighted in TYA Today Magazine as an example of “a promising increase in representation specifically in works that feature the stories of contemporary young people of color”. Sandy led an international performance tour and artistic exchange with “the egg Theatre, the Young Peoples Theatre of Theatre Royal” in Bath England. Collaboration is at the core of her work, and as an accomplished director has directed over 75 productions at STC which include many new works, dance-inspired productions, and world premieres. She directed the local premier, mainstage production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the musical which remains the highest attended production at Stages Theatre Company. Sandy remains on the Executive Committee, as former chair of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) and worked with Racially Conscious Collaboration (RCC) to gain her certification in racial equity organizational leadership.
JC Lippold
Music Director
JC Lippold constructs space for others to be curious and courageous in as a nationally renowned teacher of movement and mindset, a community engager and social movement trailblazer, a published writer, researcher and systems changer, a theatre director and gigging rock musician, and as a leadership, change and executive presence coach. JC is the Artistic Director of Minnesota’s premier senior rock ensemble Alive & Kickin and is grateful to be working on his 18th Stages Theatre Company Production.
Krysti Wiita Phillips
Choreographer
Krysti Wiita Phillips loves being back with the Stages Theatre Company Family! After working alongside Michael Matthew Ferrell, she is honored to step into the choreographer position. She has worked on Stage’s Tuck Everlasting, Elf the Musical, Jr. (2021 & 2019), Mary Poppins, and Beauty & the Beast. Krysti has also worked at many theatres around the twin cities including Theatre Latte Da, Children’s Theatre Company, Artistry, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Chanhassen Dinner Theaters, Duluth Playhouse, GREAT Theatre, and Eagan Community Theater. She has also had the joy of working with Hennepin Theatre Trust’s SpotLight Awards and high schools around the area. Krysti is extremely grateful to her husband and daughter, Jory and Delaney, and her family for all of their love and support.
Joe Schmit
Author
Joe Schmit is an award-winning broadcaster, community leader, author and popular keynote speaker. He is a 2019 inductee into the Minnesota Speakers Hall of Fame and has earned his CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation from the National Speakers Association. He has won 19 Emmys from the National Television Academy. In 2020, Joe was awarded The Silver Circle designation by the Upper Midwest Chapter of the Emmys for extraordinary contributions to the broadcasting industry. He was also honored with a National Headliner Award in 2001. Joe is also an author of two award-winning books “Silent Impact” and “The Impact Blueprint.” He recently teamed with Minnesota Twins Legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Mauer to write a children’s book called “The Right Thing To Do.’ 100% of the proceeds from this book go to two children’s charities and they have donated books to over 800 elementary schools.
Michael Mahler
Book & Lyrics
Michael Mahler is an award-winning actor, musician, composer, and lyricist recognized as an important emerging voice in American musical theatre. For Broadway and London’s West End, Mahler contributed additional lyrics for Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of Miss Saigon. Original works as composer and/or lyricist include The Secret of My Success, Miracle the Musical, October Sky (San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award), Hero (Jeff Award), The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes (Jeff Award), Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Painted Alice, and others. His songs are performed in concerts worldwide including an evening at the Kennedy Center.. Concerts include Silly Love Songs: Michael Mahler Sings Paul McCartney. Proud member of American Blues Theatre, Actors Equity, and ASCAP.
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