FATHER OF THE BRIDE AUDITIONS COMING UP!

Director Fawn Helmer will have two sessions of auditions for the comedy Father of the Bride. The first session will be Sunday, July 20 at 3 p.m. and the second will be Monday, July 21 at 7 p.m. Both sessions will be at the  Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. Read more about the show HERE.

The play will be produced September 11-13 and September 17-20. It is being sponsored by Helmer Appraisal. Read more about our sponsor HERE.

Chaos reigns in the Banks household as everyone attempts make the wedding of Kay Banks happen. Roles available include Stanley Banks, the father of the bride (stage ages 40’s); Ellie Banks, his wife (stage age 40’s); Kay Banks, the prospective bride (stage age early 20’s); and Buckley, her intended husband (stage age 20’s).

Also to be cast are the Banks brothers, Ben Banks (stage age late teens) and Tommy Banks (stage age 10-12). Buzz Taylor, Tommy’s best friend and Peggy, Ben’s girlfriend are also involved.

Additional adult roles include Miss Bellamy, Stanley’s secretary; Dee, the family maid;  Mr. Missoula, the wedding planner and his assistant, Joe. Also a few workman who help transform the house into the reception venue. Read more about the cast HERE.

Read what director Fawn has to say about the show HERE.

THE CEMETERY CLUB OPENS AT PCPH!

The second production of the 64^th season at Putnam County Playhouse the comedy “The Cemetery Club” will be onstage July 10-12 and July 16-19. All performances begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by calling 765-653-5880 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office only. There are no online or Facebook points of sale.

The production is being sponsored by Scott & Sons Trucking LLC in Greencastle.

The production is directed by Vickie Parker & Jack Randall Earles.

Beth Bax (Ida), Karen K Temple (Lucille), and Karen Whitaker (Doris) are three widows in different stages of accepting the loss of their respective husbands. Once a month they visit the cemetery together to contemplate their situations.

The arrival of a widower Sam (Alan Zerkel) sets the plot in motion. Also featured is Eleanor Howard as Mildred.

The set was designed by Linda Gjesvold and Anna Harris. Technical director and lighting design are by Dustin Bond. Shelly McFadden is the costumer. She is assisted by Coralie Humbert. Assistant director is Sandi Rossok.

Stage manager is Cameron Wunderlich. Members of the stage crew include Maggie Dory, Randy Funk, Ashton Kirton, and Brandon Wunderlich.

The sound board will be operated by Parker Helmer and the light board operator is Bart Jones.

‘SHAKESPEARED’ HITS THE STAGE THIS WEEKEND!!

The Bard of Avon has landed at PCPH for his annual visit. Two groups of local students, The Groundlings (middle school ages) and the Bards (high school age students) will tackle Romeo and Juliet and the scrimmage will be joyous.

The Bards production will be a 7 p.m. on Friday, June 27. The Groundlings will be onstage at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 28. Tickets are $3 for all those over age 13. Tickets are available only at the door.

The middle school group is directed by Eleanor Howard who is assisted by David Johnson.

The cast includes Syrci Abbott and Millie Larsen as the title characters. Others in the cast include Evelyn Ryan-Shager (Nurse), Luke Miller and Zoey Bond (Lord and Lady Capulet), Evvie Barker (Tybalt), Micaela Eremionkhale (Paris), Tinzlee Coulson (Gregory), Keyli Hamblet (Sampson), and Ella Marmulewicz (Servant, Watchman).

Also appearing in the play are Gaby Briceno (Benvolio), Hadley Roderick (Mercutio), Cheyenne Newlin and Molly West (Lord and Lady Montague), Becca Larsen (Abraham, Page), Charlotte Jones (Balthazar), Elena Olsen (Friar Lawrence), Stephen Olsen (Prince Escalus), Chloe Lane (Apothecary), Kiyo Yamaguchi (Friar John), Silas Glessner (Officer), and Marilyn Huber (Narrator).

The Bards are directed by Alisa Isaacs-Bailey and David Johnson.

Playing the title roles are Kate Larson (Juliet) and Alex Gurnon (Romeo). They are supported by Ella Tischer (Nurse), Joey Draper and Catherine Ryan-Shager (Lord and Lady Capulet), Josie Cox (Tybalt), Max Isaacs-Bailey (Paris), Piper Grever (Gregory), Breanna Huchel (Sampson), and Adi Gillum (Servant).

Other important roles are taken by Joslyn Cash (Benvolio), Mikey Henry (Mercutio), Kendra Arruda and Nicolette Blackledge (Lord and Lady Montague), Rhian Gillum (Abraham), and Jewelee Butcher (Balthazar).

The cast also includes Jacob Deakins (Friar Lawrence), Josie Tischer (Prince Escalus), Piper Dewey (Apothecary), Olivia Reeves (Friar John), Josie Ellerman (Officer), Ingrid Norris (Page) and Savannah Wolfe (Watchman).

Costumer for both productions is Coralie Humbert who is assisted by Miranda Brown. Stage manager for both productions is Ellen Blackledge. Savannah Wolfe is the assistant stage manager for the Groundlings production and Chloe Lane is working backstage.

Special thanks to ArtsIlliana for its support.

Join Us For Week 2 of “A Christmas Carol”

PCPH presents the musical A Christmas Carol for its second week. Performances are June 11-14 [Wednesday thru Saturday]. Some evenings are close to selling out so call the box office 5 p.m.-7 p.m. through Saturday – closing night. The number is 765-653-5880. There are no online or Facebook ticket sales. Reservations must be made at the box office.

The show is sponsored by:

Can Ebenezer Scrooge [Ric McFadden] be reclaimed – or is he a lost soul? Here he meets with the Ghost of Christmas Future [Emily Gray] and ponders his fate.

AUDITIONS FOR CINDERELLA

Director Lee Reberger will have two sessions of auditions for the August production of Cinderella – The Enchanted Version. The first session will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 15. The second will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 16. Both sessions will be in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

The musical will be produced August 14-16 and August 20-23. It is being sponsored by:

Those auditioning should prepare 16 measures of a song. There will also be a dance audition.

Musical director is Kathi Elliott. To read more about the show and see a list of characters, click HERE. To read what Lee has to say about the show click HERE.

“A Christmas Carol” Opens the Season!

Summer may have just begun, but Christmas bells are already ringing at the Putnam County Playhouse as preparations are underway for A Christmas Carol, featuring music by Alan Menken (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (Anastasia, Ragtime, Seussical). The book is by Mike Ockrent and Lynn Ahrens, based on the original novella by Charles Dickens.

This beloved holiday classic kicks off the Playhouse’s 2025 season and will be performed June 5–7 and June 11–14. All performances begin at 8:00 p.m., and tickets are $15, available for purchase in person at the box office or by phone during performance weeks. The box office is open from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday thru Saturday. There are no online ticket sales.

THE SHOW IS SPONSORED BY:

To read about our sponsor – click HERE.

This timeless story has been reimagined into a heartfelt musical that follows Ebenezer Scrooge—played by Playhouse veteran Ric McFadden—on his journey from miserly and cold-hearted to joyful, loving, and generous. Jolly and moving musical numbers immerse the audience in the warmth of Scrooge’s past and the pain that shaped his present, offering a poignant reminder of redemption and hope. The production is appropriate for all ages.

The show is directed by Dustin Bond, with Cameron Wunderlich serving as assistant director. Kathi Elliott is the musical director and leads the orchestra pit. Also in the pit are percussionist DeDee Schwomeyer and keyboardist Anita Newlin. Choreography is by Sarah Vawter, assisted by Josh Bain. Linda Gjesvold serves as the specialty prop maker.

Not only is the production family-friendly—it’s also a family affair! At least 13 family groups are represented among the cast and crew.

In addition to McFadden, John Tischer plays Scrooge’s long-suffering employee, Bob Cratchit.  Emily Gray, Grace Buehler, and Josh Bain play the ghosts of Christmas future, past, and present respectively.  Jacob Marley is played by Dorian Dowd and Tiny Tim Cratchit is played by Lucas Gardner in his playhouse debut.  Rounding out the Cratchit family are Ashton Kirton as Mrs. Cratchit, Cheyanne Newlin as Martha Cratchit, and Ellen Blackledge, Nicolette Blackledge, and Samantha Funk as Cratchit siblings.  

Shelly McFadden is Mrs. Fezziwig and Brad Sandy is Mr. Fezziwig/Tap Dancer; Fred/Young Ebeneezer is played by Miles Jernagan, Scrooge’s Father/Young Marley are played by Noah D. Pettit, Emily/Sally Anderson are played by Ella Tischer, Grace Smythe/Fan are played by Josie Tischer.  

Mrs. Hawkins/Char Woman are played by Suzanne Funk; Elijah Neeley plays Fred’s Son/10 year- old and 12-year-old Scrooge, and Dave Neeley plays the Charity Man, Banker, and Judge. Old Joe is played by William Dory. Scrooge’s Mother is played by Hannah Newlin, and Amanda Henry is Mrs. Mops. Michael Henry is returning to the PCPH stage as Jonathan and Sadie Henry returns as a Charity Nun.

Kaylie Rohrbaugh plays a Rich Lady/Charity Nun, and Ruth Rothgerber is a Char woman;  Olivia Elkins is a Rich woman, and Quinn Dory is a child factory worker; Sarah Ryan and Catherine Ryan are Tap Dancers.  Jim Elliott is Beadle, Trenton Bright is a Banker, and Kaiden Lane and Josephine Dory are Ignorance and Want, respectively. Most cast members are also in the Ensemble.

 As with any production, the show wouldn’t go on without the tireless efforts of the crew behind the stage.   Brandon Wunderlich is the stage manager with Jennifer Wunderlich serving as the assistant stage manager. The set was adapted by Dustin Bond and Cameron Wunderlich from an original design by Linda Gjesvold.  The stage crew are Maggie Dory, Randy Funk, Lydia Grove, Steve Hunter, and Johnny Stogsdill. Shelly McFadden is the costume designer heading up a team of costumers: Pat Armitage, Kiersten Lane, and Diana Van Middlesworth.  Ben South is the sound designer and Shelby Merrill will run the lighting board.

S.F.

The 64th season of Putnam County Playhouse will begin with an Open House on Sunday, June 1, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Light refreshments will be served and board members will be on hand to answer questions and welcome visitors.

A rehearsal of scenes and songs from the opening production A Christmas Carol will be onstage.

Special thanks to board member Anna Harris and Wasson Nursery for the beautiful plants.

STILL TIME TO GET SEASON TICKETS!!!

Season Tickets for our 64th Season are still available!

The productions are:

A Christmas Carol – June 5-7 & June 11-14

The Cemetery Club – July 10-12 & July 16-19

Cinderella The Enchanted Version – August 14-16 & August 20-23

Father of the Bride – Sept. 11-13 & Sept. 17-20

The best availability is the first weekend of each production [the dates in BOLD].

See a copy of the brochure HERE.

Download an order form HERE.

See you at the barn. And don’t forget the Open House on Sunday, June 1st from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Director Jack Randall Earles will hold two sessions of auditions for the comedy The Cemetery Club. Written by Ivan Menchell, it will be produced on the PCPH Mainstage on July 10-12 & July 16-19.

Auditions are Sunday, May 11 at 3 p.m. and Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. They will be in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

It is being sponsored by:

There are roles for four women and one man. Three older Jewish widows Ida, Louise, and Doris visit their husbands resting places once a month. Each one is in a different state of mourning. During one visit, the local butcher Sam is also there – visiting his late wife. His presence in their lives creates conflicts told with humor and heart by playwright Menchel. Read about the characters HERE.

You can find a copy of the script and a list of the audition scenes HERE.

2025 Workshop Registrations Open

Registrations are now open for SHAKESPEARED! and the Children’s Theatre Workshop! If you are interested in the YTW for students in Middle School and High School, click HERE for information and a link to the sign up form.

If you are interested in the Children’s Theatre Workshop for those entering Grade 2 – Grade 5, click HERE for information and a link to the sign up form.

Made possible with support from:

SEASON TICKET BROCHURES ARE IN THE MAIL!!

The season ticket brochures have been mailed. Please give the postal service a few days to get them to you. If you do not receive your brochure, or if you are not on our mailing list, you can download a copy of the brochure and order form below! See you at the barn!

See a copy of the brochure HERE.

Download an order form HERE.

AUDITIONS COMING UP FOR “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

Director Dustin Bond will have two sessions of auditions for the first production of our 2026 season, the musical A Christmas Carol. The production will onstage June 5-7 & June 11-14.

It is being sponsored by:

The auditions will be Sunday, April 6, at 3 p.m. and Monday, April 7, at 7 p.m. Those who wish to audition should prepare 16 bars of a musical selection (an accompanist will be provided).

There will be readings from the script and a dance audition. Some tap experience is preferred.

Also working on the production are Kathi Elliot as vocal director and Cameron Wunderlich as assistant director. Choreography is by Josh Bain and assistant Sarah Vawter.

All those auditioning should be at least nine years old. To read more information about roles available click HERE. To read the director’s note click HERE.

Bah! Humbug! At least that’s what Scrooge would say!

THE SOUND OF SOUND

The Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center is an important part of Putnam County Playhouse. It is an open space that has many uses. Auditions are held here. And rehearsals for the upcoming show are held here while the current show is rehearsing and performing on the Mainstage.

The space is also used as a “green room” for actors during performances. The dressing rooms are also located here. For awhile we have been aware that the acoustics in the MMRC are not perfect for singing and dancing rehearsals – and even speaking voices tend to bounce off the walls. Now we have improved the space.

Working with Dustin Bond as the liaison – we have added sound absorbing panels! This will make working here much more pleasant.

We are excited to begin seeing the results with our first show of the season A Christmas Carol!

Bring it on, 2025!!!

2025 SEASON MAINSTAGE DETAILS

The program and the directors are set. Now we need YOU! Here is the information you need if you want to be a part of our 2025 Mainstage Season.

First up is the musical version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It will be on the mainstage June 5-7 & June 11-14. Auditions will be Sunday, April 6 at 3 p.m. and Monday, April 7 at 7 p.m. The director is Dustin Bond. You can read about the additional staff here….some positions are TBA. You can read Dustin’s Director’s Note here, And you can read more about the show here. A Christmas Carol is being sponsored by:

The July production will be the comedy The Cemetery Club.

The comedy will be directed by Jack Randall Earles. Assistant director is Sandi Rossok. It will be produced July 10-12 & July 16-19. Auditions are May 11 at 3 p.m. and May 12 at 7 p.m. Complete staff and other information will be available here. You can read Jack Randall’s Director’s Note here. More information about the show itself is here.

August on the Mainstage will bring Cinderella – The Enchanted Version. It will be directed by Lee Reberger. Auditions are Sunday, June 15 at 3 p.m. & Monday June 16 at 7 p.m. It will be produced August 14-16 and August 20-23. Staff information as it becomes available can be found here. You can read Lee’s Director’s Note here. More information about the show itself can be found here. The musical is being sponsored by:

Our season will come to a close with a production of the comedy Father of the Bride. It will be onstage September 11-13 and September 17-20. Director for the show is Fawn Helmer. Read details about it here. Read Fawn’s Director’s Note here. More details about the show are available here.

More details on all the shows will be added as they become available, so bookmark this page! We hope to see you this summer!!

NEXT STOP: HOLLYWOOD!

Putnam County Playhouse is proud to have been involved with the production of a PBS presentation, A Generation At War. Filming began in the late fall of 2023. PCPH President Shelly Green McFadden was the production manager. Many locations in Putnam County were used. A premiere of the finished film will be Wednesday, January 22, at 7 p.m. at the Ashley Square Cinema in Greencastle. The public is invited.

The book is a history of the Civil War in our own Putnam County.

Filming was done at locations around the county and at the home of the Putnam County Playhouse – inside the barn and out.

Some scenes were filmed at DePauw University.

You’ll see many familiar faces from PCPH onscreen! Join us.

Help us get the message out!

DECEMBER BOARD MEETING – DIRECTORS CHOSEN!

The final PCPH Board Meeting of 2024 was recently held at Almost Home in downtown Greencastle.

The Directors for the 2025 season were chosen.

Dustin Bond will direct A Christmas Carol in June. This version has music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Lynn Flaherty. The book was written by Ahrens and Michael Ockrent. It will be produced June 5-7 and June 11-14. Auditions will be April 6 & 7.

The June production is the comedy The Cemetery Club by Ivan Menchell. It will be directed by Jack Randall Earles. Auditions will be May 11 & 12. The play will be on the mainstage July 10-12 & July 16-19.

The August musical will be Cinderella – The Enchanted Version. The music is by Richard Rodgers and the book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It was adapted for the stage by Tom Briggs. The director for this show is Lee Reberger. It will be presented August 14-16 & August 20-23. Auditions on June 15 & 16.

The season will close with a production of the popular comedy Father of the Bride. It will be on stage September 11-13 and September 17-20. Auditions are July 20 & 21. Director is Fawn Helmer.

More information about the productions will be on the website in January, 2025!

‘TIS THE SEASON!!!

Members of the board and friends spent Saturday night, November 30, caroling the herald to start of the Yule Season.

ANNUAL MEETING HIJINKS

The annual meeting of the Putnam County Playhouse was held on Sunday, October 13, in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center. Board members and guests enjoyed refreshments and fun conversations during the afternoon.

Committee chairpersons gave reports on their activities during the season.

Treasurer Mark Hammer brought the Upstage Award that would be given out at the end of the meeting.

Board members present include Vickie Parker, Linda Gjesvold, Sandra Rossok, Dustin Bond, Anna Harris, Cameron Wunderlich, Brandon Wunderlich, Jack Randall Earles, Ric McFadden, Shelly McFadden, Kathryn Dory, Caroline Good, Brad Sandy, and Mark Hammer.

Three of the four Upstage Award nominees were present. The winner was Karen K. Temple for her roles in Flowers For Algernon.

Seventeen guests also attended the event.

ANNUAL MEETING &HAMMY AWARDS COMING UP!

The 63rd Season of the Putnam County Playhouse came to an end a few weeks ago. The last event of the season will be the Annual Meeting which will be held on Sunday, October 13, at 2 p.m. It will be conducted in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. Light refreshments will be served. The public is invited.

Committee chairs will give their annual reports and the officers will present a round up of the season’s activities. New board members will also be elected.

As always the highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Upstage Award – the annual recognition of the performance by an actor in a non-leading role that stood out because of its audience appeal and skill of the performer.

This year’s nominees are:

From Oklahoma!, director Joshua Saul Bain has nominated Kate Baughman in her role as Gertie Cummins. He said, “I cannot say enough about how great Kate was to work with in Oklahoma!  She took her role as ‘Gertie’ to a fun new level!  Her comedic timing was perfect! She was always prepared and not afraid to try new things. Every time Kate came on stage,  she brought laughter not only to the audience but to all of those involved on stage with her. She was an absolute delight to work with and I can not wait to see what she does next!”

From The Pink Panther Strikes Again, director Shelly McFadden has nominated Tara Smith in her role of the Little German Girl, who tried to dispatch Jacques Clouseau with a poisoned pretzel. McFadden said: “Tara Smith is the Hammy nominee for The Pink Panther Strikes Again for her portrayal of ‘The Little German Girl,’ an assassin who attempted to kill Inspector Clouseau with a poison pretzel.   She was foiled because pretzels gave the Inspector ‘petrol,’ so he passed it along to the unfortunate messenger. Tara had just a few lines in The Pink Panther Strikes Again, but she definitely made the most of her stage time and made us laugh! “

For Something Rotten, the nominee is John Reach in his role as Robin, a member of the acting troupe. Director Vickie Parker said: ” John Reach delighted our audience with his unexpected character portrayal of the queen.  His acting was only topped by his wig!”

The final nominee of the season is from Flowers For Algernon. Director Jack Randall Earles said: “Karen K. Temple in her dual role of Mrs Donner and Mrs. Mooney added some much needed humor to the show. My cousin’s husband asked me why Mrs. Donner didn’t come out in the bows, and I had to tell him that the same actress played both parts – he was astonished! Thanks, Karen!”

The Tony-award winning musical comedy ‘Something Rotten’ is onstage at the Putnam County Playhouse August 15-17 and August 21-24. Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by calling the box office at 653-5880 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  There are no online sales.  Performances begin at 8 p.m. This production is rated PG-13.

The production is directed by Vickie Parker. Assistant director and vocal director is Kathi Elliott. Music director and pit conductor is Morgan Asher. Choreography is by Deb Grammel (tap) and Karen Sutherlin.

Sponsors are Bittles & Hirt and Hopkins-Rector.

Dylan Arnold and TJ Tincher play brothers Nick and Nigel the directors of a theatre group in Elizabethan London circa 1590. They are desperate to write a better play and outshine the current king of the stage William Shakespeare (Andrew Ranck). Natalie King is Nick’s wife, Bea who pines for a life beyond the kitchen and Andrea Young is Portia who is in love with Nigel.

Her father the puritanical Brother Jeremiah (Lee Reberger) is opposed to the match and does all he can to keep them apart.

To watch a video interview with director Vickie Parker click HERE.

With the help of Nostradamus (Marc Adams), the brothers discover a new kind of theatre and their troupe hopes to take the city by storm.

The troupe is played by Cameron Wunderlich, Tucker Elmore, John Reach, Matty King, and Aiden Ridenour.

Others involved in the antics are Dustin Bond, Noah D. Pettit, Trenton Bright, Jay Prewitt, Sam Brown, and Jim Elliott.

Ensemble members are Kate Baughman, Suzanne Funk, Emily Gray, Ashton Kirton, and Hallie Rice.

Also onstage are Dianna Baysinger, Grace Buehler, Rachel Holland, Samantha Funk, Amanda Standers, Karen Temple, and Jessica Walter.

The tap dancing ensemble includes Grammel, Sherry Hedge, Sarah Ryan, Sutherlin, and Heather Wright.

Playing in the orchestra are Asher, Kathryn Dory, Addison Hughes, Tobey Benedix, Rudy Hagen, and Gregory Steffey,

Costumers are Dianna VanMiddlesworth and Denise Sigworth. Stage manager is Brandon Wunderlich who is assisted by Jennifer Wunderlich. Set design is by Linda Gjesvold.

Sound operator is Ben South. Light operator is Jakob Segar.

‘Something Rotten’ is a musical evening that will leave you laughing. It has music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick & Karey Kirkpatrick and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell.

The annual Children’s Theatre Workshop is happening at Putnam County Playhouse this week, July 22-27. Creator-Director Caroline Good has assembled her staff and there are about 30 participants involved.

The Workshop will conclude with a presentation of three original plays on Saturday, July 27, at 7 p.m.  Admission is free thanks to a grant from Arts Illiana. 

To read about Arts Illiana, click HERE.

The plays are The Three Pigateers written MJ Cooper and directed by Cooper and Kathi Elliot. It features Alex Yuhas, Ella Haltom, Aliana Wilson, Gloria Jones, Jeriden Vaughn, Caydee Johnson, Garrett Lamb-Young, Hannah Jernagan, and Liza Tischer. 

The next play is The Summer of Elves & Shoes written by Ellen Blackledge and directed by Craig Robinson.  It features performances by Avalyn Templeton, Quinn Dory, Tatum Wilson, Wyatt Schutter, Gibson Robbins, Elijah Neeley, Clark Squires, Noah Neeley, and Colton Hessler. 

The third play is I Hate Jury Duty written and directed by Ruby Sullivan.  Performers in this production are Cheyanne Newlin, Carson Squires, Silas Glessner, Levi Watkins, Ella Yuhas, Zoey Bond, Millie Jones, Lauren Wells, Keyli Hamblet, and Elliot Wright.

In addition to our playwrights and directors the CTW staff includes includes: Sarah Armitage, Kathi Elliott,  Rebecca Hebb, along with our super helpful and enthusiastic interns (all CTW and YTW alumni):  Catherine Ryan-Shager, Josie Cox, MJ Cooper, Ella Tischer, Josie Tischer, and Charlotte Tomamichel. 

Join us at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre on July 27 at 7 p.m. We’ll be looking for you!

Director Jack Randall Earles will hold two sessions of auditions for the play “Flowers For Algernon”, the final production of the 63^rd season of the Putnam County Playhouse. The first will be Sunday, July 21, at 3 p.m. and the second will be Monday, July 22, at 7 p.m. Both will be at the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

The play will be produced September 12-14 and September 18-21. Assistant director is Sandi Rossok and stage manager is Bart Jones. Set design is by Anna Harris and Linda Gjesvold.

To download an audition form and audition sides click here.

The production is being sponsored by:

To read more about our sponsor click HERE.

Leading roles available include Charlie Gordon, a special needs man who has his IQ increased by a scientific process. The play tells the story of his struggle and the struggles of those around him to adjust to his new life. Other roles include Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur, the originators of the process; Charlie’s friend, Alice Kinian; his Mother and Father, sister Norma at age 8 and as a grown up, and co-workers Frank, Joe, Gina, and Mrs. Donner, Charlie’s landlady. and party guests at a teen get together and adults at a fete for Charlie at a local college. These are the adult roles male and female that will be double cast. The cast totals about 15+ performers.

Read more about the cast here.

Three younger younger performers are also needed. A girl, stage age 8, a boy stage age 8-10, and a teen age boy to play Charlie at those ages.

Read the director’s thoughts about the play HERE.

The 63rd season continues this week with performances of The Pink Panther Strikes again on July 17-20, the Children’s Workshop July 22-26, and the PG-Rated musical Something Rotten on August 15-17 & August 21-24.

The 63^rd season at Putnam County Playhouse continues with director Shelly McFadden’s production of “The Pink Panther Strikes Again”. It will be onstage July 11-13 and July 17-20. All tickets are $15 and all performances begin at 8 p.m. Tickets can be reserved by calling the box office at 653-5880 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily Monday-Saturday. There are no online sales.

The show is being sponsored by Greene Realty.

Following the plot of the same-named movie closely, Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Dan Hankee) is being stalked by his nemesis former Inspector Dreyfuss (Brad Sandy).

When the inventor of the Doomsday Machine Dr. Fassbender (Sam Draper) and his daughter Margot (Ruby Sullivan) are kidnapped, Clouseau is assigned to the case – and the chase is on all over Europe.  He is joined by the sultry Olga (Fawn McFadden Helmer) whose loyalty comes into question.

Major supporting roles are taken by Bart Jones, Joshua Saul Bain, Brian Cox, Alan Zerkel, William Dory, Ric McFadden, and Cameron Wunderlich.

The large cast has many performers who play multiple roles including Kathy Arnold, Tara Smith, Jack Randall Earles, Anna Harris, and Brandon Wunderlich. Also appearing are Kathryn Dory and Jennifer Wunderlich.

The Pink Panthers are Joey Draper, Joe Fields, and cast members K. Dory, A. Harris, R. Sullivan and all three Wunderlichs!

To watch an interview with director Shelly McFadden click HERE.

Anna Harris is also the assistant director. Light and sound design is by Dustin Bond.  Set design is by Fawn McFadden Helmer. The light board operator is Emma (McFadden) Bousman and the sound board operators Ally (McFadden) Taylor and Jake Miller. Stage Manager is B. Wunderlich and the stage crew are The Pink Panthers and Corben Kirton.

Costumes are by Harris, S. McFadden, and Linda Gjesvold.

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The annual young students’ production of SHAKESPEARED! is this week at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. Two groups will present differently inspired adaptations of Shakespeare’s comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”  The middle school production will be Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m. The high school production will be Saturday, June 29, at 7 p.m.  Tickets for both productions are available only at the door for $3 each. Children twelve years of age and younger are admitted free.

PCPH thanks Arts Illiana for its continued support.

First up on Friday will be the Young Bards in a highly physical eclectic version of the play directed by Eleanor Howard who will also play Egeus. It features Alex Gurnon as Bottom and Millie Larsen as Puck.

Others in the forest include Kate Larsen, Michael Henry, Evelyn Ryan-Shager, Hadley Roderick, Henry Wolfe, and Hollis Barcus.

Featured roles are taken by Alice Howard, Keyli Jefferson, Charlotte Jones, Savannah Wolfe, Olivia Reeves, Mairyn Huber, Tinzlee Coulson, Charlotte Jones, and Caleb Watkins.

On Saturday the Old Bards will take to the stage in a production directed by Caroline Good who is assisted by David Johnson (who also assisted with the Young Bards’ version). This ‘Dream’ is set in the 1950’s. Many of the performers play multiple roles.

It features Ellen Blackledge, Max Isaacs-Bailey, Josie Cox, Liel Watkins, and Catherine Ryan-Shrager. Other roles are taken by Ingrid Norris, Kendra Arruda, and Rhian Gillum.

Also appearing in this version are Adrianna Gillum, Ella Tischer, Nicolette Blackledge, Katie Funk.  The cast includes Marigrace Girton, Joslyn Cash, MJ Cooper and Cagney Huffman.

Costume coordinators are Josie Tischer and Miranda Brown. Viola Reeves is assisting Linda Gjesvold with the set.

You can still see Oklahoma! at the Putnam County Playhouse. There are performances Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (June 12-15). All performances begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased ONLY by contacting the Box Office between 5 and 7 p.m. You can do so by telephone at 765-653-5880 or in person. Some performances are close to selling out. There are no online or Facebook ticket sales.

OK!

Auditions for the second musical of our 63rd season are this weekend. Director Vickie Parker will have two sessions of auditions for Something Rotten. The first will be Sunday, June 9, at 3 p.m. followed by a second session on Monday, June 9, at 7 p.m. Both will be at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre, home of the Putnam County Playhouse. The musical will be onstage August 15-17 & August 21-24.

It is being sponsored by:

Those auditioning are asked to sing 16 bars of a song. An accompanist will be provided. There will be reading from the script and a short dance session.

To read about the show and the roles available click here.

To read the director’s note click here.

To download an audition form and read audition sides click here.

Watch an interview with director Parker HERE.

The 63^rd season at Putnam County Playhouse will open with a production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!  It will be produced June 6-8 and June 11-15. Tickets are on sale at the box office in person or by telephoning 765-653-5880 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily except Sunday.

Single tickets are $15 and can be reserved by credit card during regular box office hours only. There are no online sales. Volunteers are only available to sell tickets during regular box office hours. Seats are available for all performances, but especially for the added performance, Tuesday, June 11.

The production is sponsored by First National Bank.

Director for Oklahoma! is Joshua S. Bain. Vocal and musical direction is by Kathryn Dory who is also the assistant director. Choreography is by Sarah Armitage and Jack Randall Earles. Lynne Tweedie is the production pianist. She is joined in the pit by Anita Newlin on keyboard, Dede Schwomeyer on percussion, Marcia Boswell on flute, Rebecca Terry on trumpet, and Neva Verbik on clarinet. Rehearsal pianist is Morgan Asher.

To watch an interview with director Bain, click HERE.

The cast will be headed by Grace Buehler as Laury Williams and Dustin Bond as Curly McClain. The comedy leads are played by Rachel Holland as Ado Annie and Ross Hanson (making his PCPH debut) as Will Parker.  Lacey Ring-Verbik plays Aunt Eller and Cameron Wunderlich is featured as Jud Fry. Buehler last appeared at PCPH as Nancy in Oliver, Bond was last seen as Homer in Morning’s At Seven. Holland was Hope Hampton in last season’s Anything Goes and Wunderlich was featured in The Play That Goes Wrong. Hanson is making his PCPH debut. Ring-Verbik is returning to the PCPH stage after a few seasons. She was featured in productions of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and Once Upon A Mattress.

Dylan Arnold is the peddler man, Ali Hakim; Kate Baughman is Gertie Cummins; Scott Armitage is Andrew Carnes, and Chris Wurster is Cord Elam.

The farmers and cowmen include Noah D. Pettit, Clay Glessner, Trenton Bright, Miles Jernagan, Corben Kirton, and Aiden Woods.

The cast of ladies includes Ashton Kirton, Suzanne Funk, Hannah Newlin, Hallie Rice, Emily Gray, Hannah McLaughlin, Catherine Ryan-Shrager, Samantha Funk, Cheyanne Newlin, Payton Kumpf, Clara Everett, and Josie Cox.

Joining ensemble members in the dream ballet with Kumpf, Glessner, and Cameron Wunderlich in leading roles are Jocelyn Gardner, Chloe Gardner, and Raylee O’Connor.

Costumes are by Pat Armitage.

Stage manager for the show is Brandon Wunderlich assisted by Jennifer Wunderlich who is also the props manager. Stage crew includes Johnny Stogsdill. Set design was by Bain and C. Wunderlich. Set construction was by Cameron, Brandon, Jennifer & Mark Wunderlich, Bond, Ashton & Corben Kirton, and Linda Gjesvold.

Technical director is Bond. The sound board will be operated by Shelby Merrill and the light board operator is M.J. Cooper.

The 63^rd season of Putnam County Playhouse will kick off with an Open House at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre on Sunday, June 2, at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served. The event will continue until 4 p.m.

Musical numbers from the season opening musical Oklahoma! will be onstage throughout the afternoon. The popular musical will be onstage June 6-8 and June 11-15. Tickets will be on sale for all performances. Season tickets and individual tickets for all productions will be on sale during the open house.

The 2024 season also includes the comedy The Pink Panther Strikes Again in July, the Tony-Award winning musical Something Rotten in August, and the play Flowers For Algernon in September.

Board members will be on hand to answer questions.  See you at the barn!

If you are signed up for this season’s Youth Theatre Workshop – SHAKESPEARED! you can now download the script for A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the YTW page HERE. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the link!

Auditions for the July production at Putnam County Playhouse will be this weekend. Director Shelly McFadden will hold two sessions to find her cast. The first will be Sunday, May 5, at 3 p.m. followed by the second session on Monday, May 6, at 7 p.m.  Both will be held at the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center.

To read about the show and download an audition form, click HERE.

‘The Pink Panther Strikes Again’ will be produced July 11-13 and July 17-20.

The show is sponsored by Greene Realty.

The characters include Inspector Jacques Clouseau, Dreyfuss, Dr. Fassbender, Cato, Olga, and many others.  Many of those chosen for the cast will play multiple roles. Those who participate as members of the stage crew will be called Pink Panthers have specifically choreographed moves when making the scene changes.

To see a list of characters click HERE.

Director McFadden asks that all of those auditioning be at least 18 years of age.

To read what Shelly thinks about the show, click HERE.

To watch an interview that Shelly gave to The Man In The Chair click HERE.

Linda Gjesvold, Shop Steward, will hold a Scene Workshop on Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m. at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

Subjects covered include designing, building, and painting sets specifically for Putnam County Playhouse.

If you are interested in joining our team for the 2024 season, please attend and find out what it’s all about! No sign up is necessary.

See you there!

And don’t forget our second session of auditions for our season opener Oklahoma! that will be Tuesday, April 9 at 7 p.m.

Director Joshua Saul Bain will hold two sessions of auditions for the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! The first will be Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. The second will be Tuesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. It will be produced June 6-8 and June 12-15 – opening the 63rd season of Putnam County Playhouse.

Watch an interview with Josh talking about the show HERE.

The show is sponsored by:

Read about our sponsor HERE.

Read about the show HERE. You can also download an audition sheet there. Read the list of characters and the story of the musical HERE.

Read what director Bain has to say about the show HERE. Individual tickets will go on sale at the annual PCPH Open House on Sunday, June 2, at 2 p.m.

Our Season Ticket Brochures will be mailed out to current Season Ticket Holders on March 18! Return your brochure as soon as possible so you can be guaranteed your place in the audience for our four mainstage shows! Brochures will be mailed to the rest of our mailing list on April 1!

We are working on a couple of projects that will make our productions more exciting. First is removing the side walls of the stage. This will give more room on each side of the stage for entrances and exits. It will also give us more options for set design and building.

We are also adding space on the east side of the barn for storage. It will also let performers go from one side of the stage to the other backstage without going outside!

Work we must! See you at the barn for Oklahoma!, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Something Rotten, and Flowers For Algernon! And don’t forget SHAKESPEARED! in June and the Children’s Theatre Workshop in July!

Registration for our annual “Shakespeared!” Workshop is now open. You can find the registration form HERE.

Last season’s Shakespeare productions were based on The Tempest.

This year’s two-week long June workshop centers around A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.   The FREE workshop provides young players with an opportunity to engage with Shakespeare’s plays in a fun way and to see the potential interpretations that lie within the text.

This workshop meets in the afternoons Monday-Friday June 17-28 with a performances Friday and Saturday evening, June 28^th [middle school] and 29th [high school] at 7:00pm when each group will present its version of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.    

The scripts will be available soon on the playhouse website at the Youth Theatre Workshop page at the drop down menu. So, feel free to read it before our first day. June 17th. We will read through the play on day one, and the players will have a chance to note their role preferences. The roles will be cast that evening, and rehearsals begin on day two!  

THERE ARE PARTS FOR EVERYONE! “Shakespeared!” is tailored to provide young players with an opportunity to engage with Shakespeare’s text in a fun way and to see the potential interpretations that lie within the text. 

“So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.”

Puck – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The shows and dates and directors are all confirmed. Take a look at what we’re doing for our 63rd season of Putnam County Playhouse. There are a lot of opportunities for folks onstage and offstage. Check out the details!

We open our season in June with the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! Read about the production dates and audition dates HERE. Read what director Joshua Saul Bain has to say HERE. Read a character list and more about the show HERE.

Next up in July is the stage version of the movie The Pink Panther Strikes Again. Read about production and audition dates HERE. Read what director Shelly McFadden has to say about the show HERE. To read a cast list and more about the show click HERE.

Director Vickie Parker returns to direct – a Tony-Award winning musical in August. Read about production and audition dates HERE. Read what director Parker has to say about the show HERE. Read a cast list and more about the show HERE.

The season will end in September with a production of the play Flowers for Algernon. To find out production and audition dates click HERE. Read what director Jack Randall Earles is planning for the show HERE. Read a cast list and more about the show HERE.

Information about SHAKESPEARED! The Youth Theatre Workshop (June 17-29) and the Children’s Theatre Workshop (Jully 22-26) will be on the website in February & March.

See you at the barn!

Thirty-one years ago in December, 1992, the Putnam County Playhouse presented a special production of A Christmas Carol. It was produced in the DePauw Student Union Ballroom.

It was directed by Jim Poor who also played the ghost of Jacob Marley. Ebenezer Scrooge was played by Jack Randall Earles. Mark Bertram was Bob Cratchit and Michael Lemon was Tiny Tim. Many Greencastle friends were featured in the cast and worked on the crew.

Members of the board took care of tickets sales in the lobby and there was a dessert table for the after show.

I hope these photos are a sweet reminder to all of those who participated. You can read the program HERE.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of PCPH, we wish you and your families a happy a safe holiday season. See you at the barn!

The 2024 Season of Putnam County Playhouse at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre will open with the Rodgers & Hammerstein evergreen musical Oklahoma! It will be onstage June 6-8 and June 12-15. Auditions for the show are Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. and Monday, April 8 at 7 p.m. Director for the show is Joshua Saul Bain. Oklahoma! was produced on the outdoor stage in 1981 (directed by Vickie Parker) and in the barn in 2001 (directed by Lita Sandy).

Hopping onto the stage in July is the stage version of the popular movie The Pink Panther Strikes Again. Poor Inspector Clouseau is charged with saving the world. The Panther takes the stage July 11-13 and July 17-20. Auditions for the comedy will be Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m. and Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. The director is Shelly McFadden. This is a PCPH premiere.

August brings another PCPH premiere – the rollicking musical Something Rotten. Nick and Nigel Bottom are struggling theatre owners who are trying to compete with fellow Englishman William Shakespeare in late 16th century London. Will they succeed? Filled with wonderful songs that pay homage to show business, Something Rotten will be produced August 15-17 and August 21-24. Auditions will be Sunday, June 9 at 3 p.m. and Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m. Director for the show is Vickie Parker.

The 2024 season will close with the play Flowers For Algernon. When a scientific experiment increases his intelligence, Charlie Gordon faces an uncertain future. The play will take the stage September 12-14 and September 18-21. Auditions will be Sunday, July 21 at 3 p.m. and Monday, July 22 at 7 p.m. Flowers for Algernon was last produced at PCPH in 1983, our first season inside the barn (directed by David Gjesvold). This production will be directed by Jack Randall Earles.

The directors were chosen at the December 3 meeting of the PCPH Board of Directors.

In addition to our Mainstage shows, Caroline Good will conduct her popular SHAKESPEARED! Youth Theatre Workshop June 17-29. The Children’s Workshop will be July 22-26.

More information will be available under the Current Season tab in January! See you at the barn!

The 2024 Fund Drive letters are on the way!

If you aren’t on our mailing list OR you want to download a Fund Drive Form, you can do that by clicking here!

See you in 2024!!

Filming is on in the county for a PBS version of author Nichole Etcheson’s book A Generation At War. Last Saturday filming was conducted at the Harvest Barn Wedding & Event Venue. Check out the photos see how many familiar faces you can find.

The book is about some of the history of Indiana and its residents during the Civil War.

PCPH President Shelly McFadden is the Production Manager & Costumer for the production.

Everyone had a good time and we look forward to seeing A Generation At War on our local PBS stations next year.

The 2023 Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors was convened at the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center on Sunday, October 8.

In addition to the board members, many guests were welcomed with conversation and refreshments!

The meeting was led by PCPH President Shelly McFadden and Secretary Kathryn Dory who began by reading the complicated minutes from last year’s annual meeting.

Among the guests were Vickie Parker and Marc Adams (who most recently appeared together in Morning’s At Seven), Brandon Wunderlich (tech & crew), Ase Lafever (The Play That Goes Wrong), Ashton Kirton (Grease & Anything Goes), Chris Wurster (Anything Goes), Lita Sandy (director of Grease), and Bart Jones (tech & crew for this season).

Committee Reports were given by each of the chairs and much information was discussed about the 2023 season.

Board members enjoyed the refreshments provided by President McFadden and refreshments including coffee “on the house” committee.

At the October Board meting following the Annual Meeting, the 2024 season was discussed and committees were formed for the “good of the order” and a slate of officers were elected.

Youth Theatre Workshop Director Caroline Good was urging Ric McFadden to get the meeting started shortly before 2 p.m.

Appreciation was expressed for the great support that PCPH receives from its donors and audiences and participants.

The highlight of the meeting as always, was the presentation of the Upstage/Hammy Award. All four nominees were present. There were Dustin Bond (Morning’s At 7), Amaya Jones (Anything Goes), Hannah Lafever (The Play That Goes Wrong), and John Reach (Grease). Lafever prevailed and handed the award.

A good time was had by all……well……for the most part.

Not pictured but present for the festivities were Jack Randall Earles who was walking around all day with his camera, Lita Sandy who got out of the barn before Jack Randall could take her picture and Ase Lafever who always had someone standing in front of him.

At 11:40 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, the set for our final production of 2023 Morning’s At Seven was struck. Our 62nd season came to a close.

During the season, the Putnam County Playhouse enthusiastically entertained audiences and provided opportunities for our community to display its talent both backstage and in the spotlight. We produced two well-received musicals, a new comedy, and a classic comedy. During June and July we also presented the Youth Theatre Workshop SHAKESPEARED and the Children’s Theatre Workshop.

Each year according to our by-Laws, the PCPH Board of Directors hosts an annual meeting for those who provide financial support to the organization. At that meeting those financial stakeholders will vote for candidates for available board openings and hear reports from the Committee chairs. This year’s Annual Meeting will be hold on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center. Refreshments will be provided.

During the meeting the prestigious Upstage Award (aka The Hammy) will be presented to the performer who made the most of a supporting role in a production.

The 2023 Nominees [as chosen by the directors of each production] are:

John Reach as Sonny in Grease.

Hannah LaFever as Annie in The Play That Goes Wrong.

Amaya Jones as Erma in Anything Goes.

Dustin Bond as Homer in Morning’s At Seven.

We thank you for your support of PCPH and the theatrical arts in Putnam County, and we look forward to 2024 and our 63rd season!

The Paul Osborn comedy Morning’s At Seven begins its second week of performances on Wednesday, September 20. Additional performances are Thursday-Saturday, September 21-23. All performances begin at 8 p.m. All tickets are $15 and can be reserved by calling the box office after 5 p.m. at 653-5880. Tickets will also be available at the door.

The production is sponsored by:

To learn more about our sponsor click HERE.

Join us for our final production of our 62nd season. We appreciate your support! Thank you for making it possible for us to do what we love to do.

The Putnam County Playhouse 62^nd season comes to a close with a production of Paul Osborn’s comedy Morning’s At Seven. It will be onstage September 14-16 and September 20-23. Tickets are on sale at the box office only and can be reserved by calling 653-5880 Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All tickets are $15 and curtain time is 8 p.m. each evening.

The production is sponsored by:

REMEMBER THE BARN GETS VERY COOL AFTER THE SUN GOES DOWN – SO BRING A SWEATER OR A JACKET IF YOU THINK YOU MAY NEED IT!

Jack Randall Earles is the director. He is assisted by Sandi Rossok. They worked together on last season’s Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Both are long time members of the board of directors of PCPH, and Jack Randall appeared earlier this season as Perkins in The Play That Goes Wrong.

Click HERE to watch an interview with the director.

Appearing in the play are Vickie Parker, Shelly McFadden, Kathy Arnold, and Kathi Elliott as four strong-willed sisters who live in a small Midwestern town in 1923. Rivalries and secrets all come forward during one weekend. Three of the sisters are married. Playing the husbands are Jim Elliott, Marc Adams, and Ric McFadden.

The grown son of one couple is visiting for the weekend with his girlfriend. They have been engaged for twelve years and this might be the weekend the wedding is finally decided upon. Playing the son are Dustin Bond and his intended is played by Kate Baughman, making her PCPH debut.

Stage manager for the production is Brandon Wunderlich.

The set was designed by Linda Gjesvold with assistance from Cameron Wunderlich (who also did the props and works on the stage crew), and Anna Harris. Lighting design was by C. Wunderlich and Bond, who also did the sound design. Ben South is the sound technician. Shelby Merrill is running the sound board and Bart Jones is running the light board. Also working on the stage crew is Jennifer Wunderlich. Costumes are by Shelly McFadden.

Article photographs by Linda Gjesvold.

What does it take to go from this:

To this:

A lot of THIS:

When the last Anything Goes bow was taken at about 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, Director Brad Sandy and his cast, crew, and staff immediately began the “striking” of the set of the S.S. American. They worked hard taking the set down and storing the reusable portions, getting costumes repacked to return to Costumers, Inc. (those belonging to PCPH were set aside for washing or dry cleaning), the theatre, dressing rooms, restrooms, rehearsal center, and lobby were all swept and polished. The job was finally completed at 2 a.m.

Less than 12 hours later, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 27 – the staff and crew of the September production, Morning’s At Seven met onstage to begin building its set. Designer Linda Gjesvold supervised the crew that included Morning’s cast members and most of the crew from Anything Goes who are also working on this show.

The set consists of two houses that share a common backyard. Designer Gjesvold and her associates Anna Harris & Cameron Wunderlich along with director Jack Randall Earles decided on a representational design scheme.

Work continued until 4:30 p.m. With painting and details to be added – the set was ready to be used for rehearsal the next day.

Morning’s At Seven opens on September 14.

Tickets go on sale at 5 p.m. on Monday, September 11.

The August production at the Putnam County Playhouse will be Cole Porter’s musical Anything Goes. It will be onstage August 17-19 and August 23-26. All performances begin at 8 p.m. and tickets are available at the box office by calling 765-653-5880 after 5 p.m. daily Monday-Saturday. Tickets are priced at $15 each and are not available online.

The production is sponsored by:

Director/choreographer of the musical is Brad Sandy. Musical director and pit conductor is Kathryn Dory. Playing in the pit are pianist Brice LeBlanc and percussionist Dedee Schwomeyer.  Tap choreographer is Tara Gardner of the Dance Workshop.

Playing leading roles are Sarah Armitage as singer Reno Sweeney and Joshua Saul Bain as Billy Crocker.  When he falls in love with Hope Harcourt played by Rachel Holland, Billy has to stowaway on the S.S. American as it sails to England.  Debby Lambert plays Hope’s mother Evangeline who wants her daughter to marry well and replenish the failing family fortune. With Mrs. Harcourt is her dog Cheeky [played by Temple’s key Largo Bacall].

Chris Wurster is Lord Evelyn Oakley and Dylan Arnold plays Billy’s boss, Elisha Whitney.

Amaya Jones is Erma the girlfriend of Moonface Martin, a former gangster who finds himself on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. Phil Huestis who is returning to the PCPH stage after a long absence is playing Moonface. [Huestis played the same role in the 1985 PCPH production of Anything Goes].

The crew on the ship includes Ric McFadden as the Captain, Scott Armitage as the purser, and sailors played by Noah D. Pettit, Trenton Bright, Pete Grajewski, and Brian Cook.

Featured roles are played by Chloe Gardner, Hope Evans, Hallie Rice, as Reno’s singing and dancing trio. Suzanne Funk, Ashton Kirton,  Shelby Merrill, Samantha Funk, Amanda Standers, Hannah Newlin, Reilly Anderson, Jessica Walter, and Savanna Mattox Taylor.

Songs in the popular score include “Blow, Gabriel, Blow”, “I Get A Kick Out of You”, “It’s De-Lovely”, “You’re The Top”, and the title tune.

Stage manager is Brandon Wunderlich and assistant stage manager is Cameron Wunderlich who both also play FBI agents in the show. Costumes are by Shelly McFadden with light and sound design by Dustin Bond. Working the sound board are Joe Fields and Ben South. Jakob Seger is running the lights.

The stage crew includes Johnny Stogsdill, Jennifer Wunderlich, Bart Jones, and Silvan Grove. Costume alterations were made by Sarah Armitage and Pat Armitage.

Welcome aboard and enjoy the trip!

At the beginning of our 62nd season [and our 40th season inside the Hazel Day Longden Theatre] we decided we would have to replace the air conditioning units that keep YOU cooler when you’re attending our shows!

During rehearsals of our season opener GREASE! the units arrived! Because of supply chain issues, the units ordered in March had been briefly delayed. They were expertly put into place and are now hard at work. The cast rehearsing Anything Goes [with our new pianist] is having a great time getting ready for YOU. Tickets for the show go on sale at 5 p.m. Monday, August 14 at the box office only.

See you there!

The Putnam County annual Children’s Theatre Workshop will display the fruits of its labors on Saturday, July 29, at 7 p.m. on the stage of the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. The public is invited to the event – and admission is free to all.

The Workshop is made possible by a grant from Arts Illiana.

Director of the program Caroline Good has assembled a mighty team volunteers who work only one week to make the show possible. In addition to Good and Kathi Elliott who give instruction in acting, there is Sarah Armitage for dance/movement, and Eleanor Howard for voice and diction. Instructors also include Ruby Sullivan and Alice Howard.

Their work is coordinated with that of the interns (all of them alumni of the program) Rebecca Hebb, Catherine Ryan-Shager, MJ Cooper, Ella Tischer, Josie Tischer, Gabby Robbins, Charlotte Tomamichel,  and Savannah Wolfe.

Audiences will see the World Premieres of two plays by the resident playwrights of the program.  They are  And the Winner Is… by Sullivan, and The Almost Heist by Ellen Blackledge and Joslyn Cash.

Appearing in Sullivan’s play are Tinzlee Coulson, Ben Wolfe, Maryn Huber, Hollis Barcus, and Hadley Roderick. Also taking on roles in this spoof of children’s beauty pageants are Henry Wolfe, Cece Wells, Cheyanne Johnson, and Nancy Napier.  Completing the cast will be Zoey Bond, Nora Napier, Levi Watkins, and Delilah Plot.

In the play by Blackledge and Cash, audiences will see Hannah Jernagan, Elijah Neeley, Gloria Jones, Tatum Wilson, Millie Jones, and Keyli Hamblet.  Also featured are Wyatt Schutter, Caydee Johnson, Greene Henry, Quinn Dory, and Lauren Wells. Rounding out the cast are Liza Tischer, Jeriden Vaughn, and Alton Henry.

Putnam County Playhouse extends its thanks to the families of the participants who participate in our Youth Programs!

Taking a cue from Emily Dickinson, director Jack Randall Earles and his assistant director Sandi Rossok have scheduled two days of auditions for their production of the Paul Osborn play Morning’s At Seven. The first session will be Sunday, July 23 at 3 p.m. followed by a second session on Monday, July 24, at 7 p.m. The events will be held at the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center in the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

To watch an interview with Jack Randall about the auditions – click HERE. [Note – I messed up the husbands & wives. Ida is married to Carl, Cora is married to Thor, and Esther is married to David. JRE]

Production dates for the show which will close the 62nd season of Putnam County Playhouse are September 14-16 & September 20-23.

Stage manager for the production is Brandon Wunderlich. Technical director is Dustin Bond. Set designers are Linda Gjesvold and Cameron Wunderlich and Anna Harris.

Morning’s At Seven is sponsored by:

There are nine roles in the production. They include four sisters in their late 50’s/early 60’s (stage ages) Esther, Ida, Cora, and Aaronetta. Three of the sisters are married to men of the same ages – these roles are Theodore (Thor), David, and Carl. Visiting on a particular weekend are Ida and Carl’s son Homer and his intended bride, Myrtle – both of whom are in their late 30’s/early 40’s (stage age).

You can read a character description here.

You can download an audition sheet & read the audition scenes here.

Read the Director’s note here.

Will there really be a morning?

by Emily Dickinson

Will there really be a “Morning”?
Is there such a thing as “Day”?
Could I see it from the mountains
If I were as tall as they?

Has it feet like Water lilies?
Has it feathers like a Bird?
Is it brought from famous countries
Of which I have never heard?

Oh some Scholar! Oh some Sailor!
Oh some Wise Men from the skies!
Please to tell a little Pilgrim
Where the place called “Morning” lies!

Director Dustin Bond’s production of the comedy The Play That Goes Wrong will continue the 62^nd season of Putnam County Playhouse. It will be onstage July 13-15 and July 19-22. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are available only at the box office by calling 765-653-5880 after 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday beginning July 10 until closing night July 22. Tickets are not available online OR on Facebook. All tickets are $15 and all shows begin at 8 p.m.

This production is sponsored by Greene Realty.

Click HERE to read about our sponsor.

The Play That Goes Wrong is an award-winning play that was as popular Off-Broadway as it was when it was first presented by its creators in London. It has also toured the U.S.

Hear what director Dustin Bond has to say about the production in an interview on Conversations With Jack HERE.

[Still working with new technology – turn your sound up and listen closely. It’s the video that goes wrong.]

Things go wrong from the moment the lights go up as the Cornley Drama Society struggles to present Murder At Haversham Manor. In fact even before the show starts, the actors and crew on are onstage making some last minute frantic preparations. It seems that everything is working against them. Where is Winston the Dog? What happened to the sound man’s Beatles CD Box Set? Can anyone help the stage manager with the mantelpiece?

Members of the Society include Grant Craig as Director Chris Bean who also plays Inspector Carter and the leading man of the troupe Robert Grove is played by Andrew Ranck who plays Thomas Colleymore.  Others involved in the onstage chaos are Anna Harris as Sandra Wilkinson and Florence. Ase Lafevre is Max Bennett and dual roles in Murder At Haversham Manor – Cecil Haversham & Arthur the Gardner.

Also featured are Cameron Wunderlich as Jonathan Harris also known as Charles Haversham, the murder victim in the play within a play and Jack Randall Earles as Dennis Tyde who plays the butler Perkins – who may or may not have done it. And if this sounds confusing now – just wait until you see what happens in Act Two!

Hannah Lafevre is Annie, the stage manager who finds herself onstage, and Jay Prewitt is Trevor the harried technical director who for some reason dons a wig and hits the stage when one of the actors is indisposed. Other members of the stage crew who are pressed into service are Ashley Hugues as Phyllis and Parker Helmer as…..Parker.

Vickie Parker is the assistant director. The true production stage manager is Ruby Sullivan. Light board operator is Ric McFadden. The set was designed by Bond and lighting design is by Wunderlich. Sound operator is Ben South. Costumes are by Shelly McFadden.

Kate Snyder, Torie Smith, and Rebecca Hebb are on the stage crew. And our thoughts and prayers are with them.

The PCPH maven of all things Shakespeare – Caroline Good – is bringing back her uber popular Youth Theatre Workshop SHAKESPEARED! to the mainstage! This season her two groups of Elizabethan performers will be presenting versions of The Tempest. The Middle School group will present its version on Friday, June 30, at 7 p.m. The high school group will present its ‘Gilligan’s Island’ inspired version on Saturday, July 1, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available only at the door for $3. Children under age 12 are admitted FREE!

The middle school group is directed by David Johnson who is assisted by Eleanor Howard. Costumes are by Caroline Good. Assistant director/stage manager is Marigrace Girton (who also handles these positions for the older group).

Featured in this group are Alex Gurnon as Prospero, Josie Tischer as Miranda, Kate Larson as Ariel, Michael Henry as Sebastian, and Joey Draper as Caliban. Other thespians in the cast are Kendra Arruda, Jewelee Butcher, Addy Koulak, Millie Larsen, Caleb Watkins, and James Malinoski.

Joining them onstage in other roles are Klaire Scheibe, Lucy Malinoski, Marissa Scheibe, Timothy Bogaerts, Ingrid Norris, and Lucas Vaglia.

Featured roles are taken by Blake Hamblet, Chiara Pavey, Evelyn Ryan-Shager, Savannah Wolfe, Luna Pope, Nadia Wagner, Alice Hayward, Nicolette Blackledge, Charlotte Brown, and Mariah Hall.

The high school group is being instructed by Ms. Good. Costumes for the production are by Girton and Samantha Funk. Light operator for both versions is Fiona Good.

Taking on roles in this version are Joslyn Cash as Prospero, Ella Tischer as Miranda, Alice Howard as the wily Caliban, MJ Cooper as Stephano, and Catherine Ryan-Shager as Gonzalo. Josie Cox, Ethan Snyder, Ellen Blackledge, Liel Watkins, Clara Everett, and Erika Buker also play major roles.

Performers playing multiple roles are Adi Gillum, Josie Tischer, Aubrianne Hayman, and Max Isaacs-Bailey.

Did you miss the auditions last weekend for Anything Goes? Don’t despair! Director Brad Sandy is still looking for a few more adults (age 16 & up) for the ensemble.

Join us onstage for this August production. Never been onstage? Now’s your opportunity! Thinking about making a comeback? Check it out!

You can contact Brad at Bsandy929@gmail.com

See you at the barn!

Here’s another chance to be in a musical this season at PCPH! Director Brad Sandy is having two sessions of auditions for the Cole Porter musical Anything Goes.

The first session will be Sunday, June 18 at 3 p.m. The second session will be Monday, June 19 at 7 p.m. Both will be in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

One windy day we talked to Brad about the auditions. Turn up your sound and watch him HERE.

The musical will be produced August 17-19 and August 23-26.

It is being sponsored by:

The auditions will include reading from the script. Please prepare 16 measures of a Broadway type number to sing. An accompanist will be provided. There will also be a general dance audition and a tap audition – many of the numbers include tap dancing by the leads and members of the ensemble. Brad is looking for cast members at least 16 years of age and older.

Read what Brad says about the show here.

Read about the show & find a list of the characters here.

We have added ONE additional performance of Grease! It will be Tuesday, June 13 at 8 p.m.

This performance sold out in thirty minutes. No additional performances can be added.

Thank you for your support.

Grease has officially sold out!

Director Lita Sandy’s production  of the popular rock and roll musical Grease will be on stage at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre June 8-10 and June 14-17. Curtain time for all performances is 8 p.m. IF you have reserved and not yet paid for your ticket – please pick them up by 7:30 p.m. on the night of the performance.

If you already have your ticket, remember that an onstage sock hop will start at 7:30 p.m. each night for audience members. Be there or BE SQUARE!

The play is sponsored by Bittles & Hurt and Hopkins-Rector.

Starring in the production are Clay Glessner as Danny and Bella Green as Sandy – the mismatched teens who have to overcome many obstacles to become a couple. They are joined by their friends Kenickie and Rizzo played by Dylan Arnold and Emily Gray, who find themselves mixed up in a romantic subplot of their own. 

The Pink Ladies – Hallie Rice, Chloe Gardner, and Alice Howard and the T-Birds – John Reach, Devin Huff, and Cyrus Gurnon are along for all the singing and dancing chaos.

Miss Lynch the harassed English teacher/principal is played by Karen K. Temple and Suzanne Funk is Blanche a confused staff member. Others in the adult ensemble are Savanna Mattox, Samantha Funk, and Makayla Long.

Patty and Eugene are played by Hannah McLaughlin and William Johnston.  The dancing rival for Danny’s affections, ChaCha is played by Ashton Kirton.  Teen Angel will be a crooning Andrew Ranck. Pete Grajewski is Johnny Casino and Dan Gurnon plays Vince Fontaine.

The Pony-Tail Girls are Josie Tischer, Josephine Glessner, Raylee O’Connor, Johnna Stampley, Josie Cox, Clara Everett, Charlie Martoglio, and Catherine Ryan-Shager.The Burger Boys are Noah D. Pettit, Trenton Bright, Joey Draper, and Miles Jernagan.

In addition to Sandy, the production staff includes Debby Lambert as Vocal Director, Morgan Asher as Musical Director, and Vickie Parker as Assistant Director.  Choreography is by Tara Gardner and costumes are by Shelly McFadden. Percussionist is Dede Shwomeyer.

Lita talks to Jack Randall about Grease HERE.

Set design is by Brad Sandy.Technical director and lighting designer is Dustin Bond.  Sound designer and sound board operator is Ben South and Shelby Merrill is running the light board.Stage manager is Brandon Wunderlich.  Assistant stage manager is Bart Jones. Jennifer Wunderlich and Zoe Cope are on the stage crew and properties are managed by Jessica Walter.

The 62^nd season of Putnam County Playhouse will kickoff with an Open House at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. The event will be Sunday, June 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Highlights from the season opener Grease will be onstage.

Season tickets will be on sale at the box office and individual tickets for all four of the main stage shows will also be available.  Season tickets are $50 and single tickets are all $15 each.

Board members will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about PCPH.  We will also be celebrating our 40^th season inside the barn theatre!

Clay Glessner as Danny Zuko and Bella Green as Sandy Dumbrowski

When you visit us this season – you’ll find a new look to our parking lot! We’ve added painted parking lines! So you can park your car yourself! We’ll be having our historical parking attendants for Grease so we can all get familiar with it – but after that…..a new era at PCPH will begin!

Read all about it here. Parking instructions are at the link!

The first row will be reserved for our Handicapped Patrons.

Season tickets will be mailed out on May 22 – so watch for them!

Also remember our Open House at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 4. Tickets for all shows will be on sale then. You can come visit us and see a Grease rehearsal. Grease will run June 8-10 & June 14-17 and tickets go on sale at the Open House!

Grease is sponsored by:

Click HERE to read about our sponsor.

Click HERE to read about our sponsor.

Board members will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

We are celebrating our 40th season in the Hazel Day Longden Theatre!

SPECIAL NOTICE – be sure to see the Grease cast perform at First Friday on the square on June 2! Don’t BE a square – BE ON the Square!

The July production at Putnam County Playhouse is the comedy The Play That Goes Wrong. Director Dustin Bond will hold two rounds of auditions for the show.

The first round will be conducted Sunday, April 30, at 3 p.m. A second round will be on Monday, May 1, at 7 p.m. They will both be held in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

Dustin talks to The Man In The Chair, Jack Randall Earles about his audition requirements HERE.

The show will be produced July 13-15 and July 19-22.

It is being sponsored by:

To read about the play and see a list of characters click HERE.

To read Dustin’s Director’s note click HERE.

We hope to see you at auditions!

Putnam County Playhouse is continuing updates to its technical equipment. We are changing from stage incandescent lighting to LED lighting equipment. The new lights are more energy efficient. They also operate at a lower temperature, making the barn more comfortable – onstage and off.

The Parke County REMC presented us recently with a $3000 grant to help us with the project. Madison Cooper, a representative of the company, gave President Shelly McFadden the check.

Also on hand was PCPH Technical Director, Dustin Bond, who is spearheading the instrument upgrade.

The cast for Grease has been chosen. The musical opens our 62nd season and will be onstage June 8-10 & June 14-17.

Check out the cast HERE.

Season ticket brochures have been mailed. Please return them as soon as possible. Single tickets go on sale at the open house Sunday, June 4, at 2 p.m. The box office will not be open until then.

Be there or be square!

Grease is sponsored by:

Director and creator of the Children’s Theatre Workshop at PCPH Caroline Good invites those interested to sign up for the 2023 edition.

Read more about the workshop HERE.

Sign up for the workshop HERE.

Director Lita Sandy joins us on “Conversations With Jack” to talk about her upcoming auditions for Grease.

To watch the interview click here.

Unfortunately we had some audio issues, so listen carefully! Technology is GREAT!

See you at the auditions on Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. Or come on Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m.

For the first time since Y2K (that’s the year 2000 for you young folks) Grease the musical is returning to Putnam County Playhouse. Director Lita Sandy has announced her auditions for the show that will open our 2023 season.

Two sessions of auditions are scheduled. The first will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 2. The second will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 3. Both sessions will be at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre in Greencastle. The show itself will be produced June 8-10 and June 14-17.

Vocal director of the show is Debby Lambert and musical director is Morgan Asher.

Sandy says those auditioning should be at least 12 years of age. Please prepare a vocal audition of about 16 measures and bring your sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. There will also be readings from the script.

There will also be dance auditions conducted by choreographer Tara Gardner. Wear or bring shoes that you can dance in – and bring knee pads if you have them! And be ready to have fun!

Lita was recently interviewed on “Conversations With Jack” and we’ll post that link soon!

Read about the show and see the list of roles available HERE.

Grease is sponsored by:

You don’t have to wait until summer to see some of your favorite PCPH performers onstage. During the off-season, many of us travel to other local theatres to trod the boards.

For example, at the Lark Theatre in Brazil, Indiana, home of Community Theatre of Clay County, several familiar faces are rehearsing Noises Off. Among them are Ric McFadden (last summer’s Colonel Mustard in Clue: Onstage), TJ Tincher and Ashlee Anne Vitz (most recently appearing in Oliver!), Bryan Schroeder (seen last in Send Me No Flowers), and Courtney Renee Slough (Miss Scarlet from Clue: Onstage).

Director of the show is Lee Reberger who has appeared onstage at PCPH in The Drowsy Chaperone and Curtains and also most recently directed Shrek for us.

Noises Off will be onstage at CTCC on March 10, 11, 12. Details about tickets can be found here. Ashlee is in charge of the sardines, the telephone, and the newspaper!

And you can catch actor Bart Jones at Hendricks Civic Theatre playing the role of Bill in its production of On Golden Pond April 13-16 & April 20-23.. Bart was in Oliver! last summer and also worked on Clue: Onstage and Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Details and ticket information can be found here.

Founder and Director of our annual Youth Theatre Workshop SHAKESPEARED! is happy to announce that sign ups are now open for 2023! This year the intensive two-week event will focus on William’s play The Tempest.

The workshop will be held at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre June 19-July 1.

The workshop is open to those entering grades 6-8 in the fall of 2023 for the Middle School group and those entering 9th grade and up for the High School group. Registration ends on June 10 or when the workshop is full.

You can read all the details HERE. And you can sign up HERE.

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on…..”

The event is sponsored by:

This year we are celebrating our 62nd year of Putnam County Playhouse AND our 40th season in the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. We hope that you will join us for a program of fun, music, and rock and roll! All of our main stage productions are being directed by PCPH regulars who appeared onstage in the hit comedy Clue: Onstage last season.

We open our season with Grease! We last produced this musical in 2000 and we are happy to have its director Lita Sandy – Mrs. Peacock – back to give us an encore! It will be produced June 8-10 and June 14-17. We’re planning a sock hop before the show – so come dressed in your best 1950’s swag!

Read additional show information audition dates here.

Read what Lita has to tell all you cool cats here.

Read about the show & the roles available here.

Grease is sponsored by:

and

Our annual Youth Theatre Workshop will be conducted June 19-July 1. This season’s Bard selection is The Tempest. Sign-up will begin on February 1. Read all about it HERE. Caroline Good’s SHAKESPEARED is sponsored by:

In July the rollicking comedy The Play That Goes Wrong takes the stage.

Be prepared to laugh as everything that can go wrong…..does go wrong. Director Dustin Bond aka The Perfect Butler Wadsworth is in charge and chaos reigns. It will be onstage July 13-15 and July 19-22.

Read information and audition dates HERE.

Read what Dustin has to say HERE.

Read details about the show and available roles HERE.

The Play That Goes Wrong is sponsored by:

Our annual Children’s Theatre Workshop (also sponsored by Shuee’s) will be presented July 24-July 29. Information will be posted soon.

Our August production will be Cole Porter’s famous musical Anything Goes. We last produced this audience favorite in 1985. This time around it will be directed by Mr. Green himself – Brad Sandy. With many of Porter’s well known tunes and a story of mistaken identities – don’t miss your chance to see it onstage August 17-19 and August 23-26.

Read information and audition dates here.

Brad’s note will be here soon!

Read about the show and available roles here.

Anything Goes is sponsored by:

The 62nd season will end with a production of the Paul Osborn comedy Morning’s At Seven. The director is Jack Randall Earles, Clue’s Chief of Police. A family comedy that will bring lots of laughs and maybe a tear or two to the stage September 14-16 and September 20-23.

Read information and audition dates HERE.

Read what Jack Randall has to say HERE.

Read about the play and the roles available HERE.

Morning’s At Seven is sponsored by:

Season ticket information will be sent to our mailing list in April. We hope to see you onstage or in the audience as we celebrate our 62/40 Season!!

When you do 4+ shows in a season for 39 years in the barn, you end up with quite a few properties and furniture pieces. And just like at home, you don’t need something until you throw it away – so we don’t throw anything away! We’ve accumulated quite a collection of this, that, and the other.

The Props Loft Committee including Sandi Rossok, Cameron Wunderlich, and Anna Harris with help from Tech Committee Chair Dustin Bond decided to “get things organized” upstairs following the 2022 season. The loft itself is located on the second floor of the shop just behind the pit.

Designer and carpenter Wunderlich worked with Harris and Bond to build a special Prop Room that includes a locked cabinet for those one of a kind props and items that need special handling.

The crew has also been working on a computer inventory of ALL props. [Cameron has declared that we have too many cereal/soup bowls.] This will make filling directors’ requests more efficient. It will also eliminate the possibility that props that are sometimes borrowed have been forgotten and are not returned.

We wish a Happy New Year to all of our members and participants and hope to see you at the barn in 2023!!

And special thanks to Anna, Cameron, Dustin, and Sandi for their hard work!

It’s that time of year again!

Putnam County Playhouse was invited by Endeavor Communications to entertain at its employee Holiday Party earlier this month. PCPH playwright Caroline Good crafted a version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol that included the names of Endeavor employees and circumstances of the organization.

Good also directed the troupe which included Dustin Bond, Shelly McFadden, Josh Bain, Anna Harris, Kathryn Dory, Ric McFadden, Karen Temple and Good.

The happy event was held at Owl Ridge.

Here’s a letter from PCPH President Shelly McFadden…..watch your mailbox! Our 2023 Fund Drive is on its way!

If you didn’t receive your letter OR you are not on our mailing list, you can download a copy of the Donation Form HERE.

We will also be celebrating our 40th season inside the Hazel Day Longden Theatre!

A few board members and PCPH friends got together last week to keep Putnam County Playhouse in the spotlight.

Director and Narrator Caroline Good organized a short version of our 2017 mainstage production Curtains.

The occasion was the Greencastle Arts Council’s Bonne Soi’ree Fundraiser at Tiger Point.

A good time was had by all!

Actress Tatum Boswell won the 2022 Upstage Award and was presented the trophy at the Putnam County Playhouse Annual meeting on Sunday, October 16. The event was held in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center of the Hazel Day Longden Theatre, home of the group.

Members and officers of the Board of Directors welcomed guests.

Annual reports were given by the chairpersons of each committee.

The meeting was conducted by President Shelly McFadden while Secretary Kathryn Dory took the minutes.

Refreshments were served before and after the meeting and much discussion of the 2022 season was shared by all in attendance.

Board members were competitive in making motions and seconds to all the reports and laughter was abundant as the afternoon progressed.

The other nominees for the 2022 Upstage Award were Ashlee Anne Vitz for Oliver!, Dale Grove for Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Sarah Ryan for The Miracle Worker.

Thanks to everyone who helped make our 61st season so successful. Thanks for your continued support. We hope to see you at the barn for our 62nd season in 2023! Watch your mailbox for your Fall Fund Drive Letter!

The most anticipated event in Putnam County will happen on Sunday, October 16, at 2 p.m. Well…..maybe not the MOST anticipated….except by at least four performers from last season’s productions at Putnam County Playhouse.

Details below:

Competition is fierce……one of these four will be the winner:

Director Caroline Good says: “I chose Ashlee because of her utter commitment to the role, her comedic creativity, and, as the Hammy criteria requires, she played a smaller role and she made the very most of every moment on stage.”

Director Shelly McFadden says: “Tatum had very few lines onstage, but as a corpse, she stole the show. Whether she was falling out of a refrigerator, being dropped onto the floor from the couch, or being handled as a prop in a party scene, Tatum is the essence of the ‘Hammy’ creed.”

Director Jack Randall Earles says: “The cast of ‘Joseph’ handed me an embarrassment of riches in choices for the Hammy Award. I chose Dale because of the immediate and overwhelming audience response to his performance. I think they were as stunned as I was.”

Director Ric McFadden says: “From the start of rehearsals to the performance, Sarah kept adding to her character as Viney, always taking direction when necessary, and always displaying a great attitude at rehearsals.”

Our season has ended!

We would like to say thanks to our contributors and all of you who attended performances. Our four main stage shows all had enthusiastic audiences. Your support is what makes it happen!

Our Children’s Theatre Workshop and SHAKESPEARED! Youth Theatre Workshop had wonderful participants and enthusiastic audiences. Thanks to the volunteers who worked with Caroline Good to make these events happen.

Thanks to everyone who participated onstage, backstage, and in the tech loft and up in the pit! Without you, we couldn’t have done it.

Special thanks to our sponsors Bittles & Hurt & Hopkins-Rector, First National Bank, and Shuee’s Best Buys Plus.

Please plan to attend our season wrap up at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 16, at 2 p.m. in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center!

Director Ric McFadden’s production of William Gibson’s drama The Miracle Worker opens on Thursday, September 8 at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. All performances begin at 8 p.m. Tickets can be reserved by calling the box office between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Performances are scheduled September 8-10 and September 14-17. All tickets are $10. Tickets requests or questions cannot be answered on Facebook OR the Putnam County Playhouse website. You MUST call the box office at 765-653-5880.

The Miracle Worker is sponsored by:

The cast is lead by Anna Harris as teacher Annie Sullivan. Josie Tischer co-stars as the young Helen Keller whose family is struggling to deal with disabilities. Helen’s parents, Captain Keller and his wife Kate are played Tim Good and Caroline Good.

Other members of the household and friends and servants are played by John Reach, Eleanor Howard, Samantha Funk, Elijah Helmer, and Sarah Ryan.

Playing supporting roles are Suzanne Funk, Kathi Elliott, Jay Prewitt, John Tischer, and Dustin Bond. Featured roles are Chloey Barnett, Anna Norris, Ingrid Norris, Ellen Blackledge, Nicolette Blackledge, Catherine Ryan-Shrager, and Alex Gurnon.

Shelly McFadden, who also did the costumes, is the stage manager with assistance from Bart Jones. Assistant director is Ruby Sullivan who is also running the light board. Ben South is the sound designer-technician and also running the sound board. Brandon Wunderlich is on the stage crew. Lighting design is by Bond and Cameron Wunderlich. Director McFadden designed and built the set.

The 61^st season of Putnam County Playhouse will close with director Ric McFadden’s production of William Gibson’s The Miracle Worker. It will be produced on the main stage September 8-10 and September 14-17.  All performances begin at 8 p.m. Tickets will go on sale in the box office at 5 p.m. on Monday, September 5. Tickets cannot be reserved on Facebook or at the website.

The production is sponsored by:

Shelly McFadden is the costumer and stage manager. Assistant director is Ruby Sullivan, who will also run the light board. Bart Jones is the assistant stage manager. Lighting design is by Dustin Bond and Cameron Wunderlich. Ben South is the sound designer and he will also run the sound board. Director McFadden also designed the set.

Anna Harris is playing the leading role of Annie Sullivan and Josie Tischer will play the role of Helen Keller. The parents of Helen, Captain Keller and his wife Kate are played by Tim Good and Caroline Good. Annie’s brother Jimmy is played by Alex Gurnon.

Also in the household are son James played by John Reach and the family servant Viney played by Sarah Ryan. The visiting Aunt Ev is played by Eleanor Howard.

Also in the cast are Samantha Funk, Elijah Helmer, Jay Prewitt, Dustin Bond, Suzanne Funk, and Kathi Elliott.

Featured players include John Tischer, Chloey Barnett, Anna Norris, Ingrid Norris, Ellen Blackledge, Nicolette Blackledge, and Catherine Ryan-Shager. 

The 61^st season of the Putnam County Playhouse continues with a production of the musical Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It will be onstage at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre August 11-13 and August 17-20. Curtain time is 8 p.m. each night.  All tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling the box office at 765-653-5880 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday beginning August 8. The box office is only open during those times. Tickets are not available online or on Facebook.

The production is sponsored by First National Bank.

The musical is directed by Jack Randall Earles.  Assistant director is Sandi Rossok who also did the costume direction. Vocal direction is by Kathryn Dory and musical direction is by Morgan Asher, who is also the pit conductor/pianist. Percussionist Dedee Schwomeyer is also playing.

The title role of Joseph is played by Dylan Arnold. Telling the story is the Narrator sung by Molly Murphy. The story is also helped along by solo songs from three of the brothers played by Jay Prewitt, Josh Bain, and Dustin Bond. The other brothers include David Johnson (who also plays the Butler), Cameron Wunderlich, William Dory, Joe Fields, Dorian Dowd, Ruby Sullivan, Jakob Seger, and Devin Huff.

Jacob is sung by Andrew Ranck. His four wives are played by Hannah Newlin, Kathryn Dory, Ellie Emmert (who also plays the Baker), and Amanda Standers. Suzanne Funk and Shelby Merrill appear in supporting roles.

Dale Grove is featured as the Pharaoh. Brad Sandy and Sarah Armitage play the Potiphars. Chloe Gardner is a featured dancer.

Set design and painting is by Linda Gjesvold. Cameron and Brandon Wunderlich are production stage managers. The stage crew duties are handled by Tucker Elmore and Bart Jones. Shelly McFadden and Jerry T. Scott handle the lights and sound – directed by Bond.

Caroline Good and her staff are working with the participants of the annual Putnam County Playhouse Children’s Theatre Workshop this week. You can see the results of all of their hard work on Friday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

The event is sponsored by:

The students will present two original plays. The first is “True Crime Fairy Tales” written by Good. It features many of your favorite characters in new and unique situations including  Little Red (Gabby Robbins), Gretel (Audrey Smoot), Goldilocks ( Mariah Hall), and Jack (Lucas Vaglia).  They all find themselves in an hilariously hostile contemporary world, where the stories that originally made them famous, and have landed them in big trouble.

The Chief Inspector (Charlotte Tomamichel) and Woodsdale police officers Don (Blake Hamblet) and Jan (Hollis Barcus) interview each of our suspicious fairy tale characters. They then focus their attention on those who turned them in.

These include The Bear Family (Jackson Wells, Evelyn Ryan-Shager, and Keyli Hamblet), Granny  (Milan Schwipps), The Wolf (Alex Koulak), and Hansel (Caleb Waltkins). It seems all may be lost for our heroines.  Or is a happy ending still possible for them?

Chaos reigns within the second play “Into the Forest” also by Good.  Here our familiar fairy tale characters find themselves confused in the forest and in the wrong stories.  Featured among them are Little Red Riding Hood (Hannah Jernagan), Beast (Elijah Neeley), Granny (Lydia Bogaerts), and Cinderella (Hadley Roderick). 

Also included are Rumplestiltskin (Chris Sears), Sleeping Beauty (Layla Koulak), Prince Charming (Walker Henry), Hansel (Wyatt Schutter), Gretel (Nora Napier), Witch (Nancy Napier), Wolf (Tinzlee Coulson), Doc (Cece Wells), and the Dwarves (CTW Interns).

Rounding out the cast are Snow White (Lauren Wells), Sleeping Beauty’s Prince (Arlo Schwipps), Belle (Atlas McAllister), and Rapunzel ( Jessica Bogaerts). When they find themselves confused and in the wrong stories, they have to team up with each other to make things right. Or can they?

Assisting Good this year are Eleanor Howard (Acting), Craig Robinson and Sarah Armitage (Dance & Movement), and Molly Murphy (Voice & Diction). Directors for “Into the Forest” are Robinson, Murphy, and Howard. Playwright Good is directing “True Crime Fairy Tales” with assistance from David Johnson, and Kathi Elliott.

The CTW interns who are helping  with casting, costume, and working on the crew are Ruby Sullivan, MJ Cooper, Josie Cox, Marigrace Girton, Rebecca Hebb, Isabella Green, Samantha Funk, and Mya Weddle.

Director Ric McFadden will hold two sessions of auditions for the September production of The Miracle Worker at Putnam County Playhouse.  The first call is for Sunday, July 17, at 3 p.m. The second session will be Monday, July 18, at 7 p.m.  Both sessions will convene in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

The Miracle Worker will be presented September 8-10 and September 14-17. Read more about the show HERE.

Read McFadden’s Director’s Note HERE.

It is being sponsored by Hopkins-Rector and Bittles & Hurt.

The two leading roles, Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller, call for performers who will be able play the very physically demanding scenes as written. Annie will be required to learn some sign language and finger spelling for the role. The actress playing Helen must be able to convincingly play a deaf and blind and mute youngster. Stage age for Annie is mid to late 20’s and stage age for Helen is 8-11.

Other roles include Helen’s parents, Captain and Mrs. Keller; their son, James; Aunt Eve; Viney, the family’s servant and her helper; Martha and Percy, children who are friends of Helen; and Doctor Anagnos, Annie’s teacher.  The Kellers will speak with Southern accents.

There are also parts for six youngsters to play blind students at Annie’s former school, the Kellers’ doctor, and a young boy to play Annie’s brother Jimmy who is a preteen.

Read about the story and cast HERE.

No monologs are necessary. Those auditioning will read from the script. There will also be a physical audition for those auditioning to play Helen. McFadden is also looking for backstage personnel to complete his production. Those wishing to work in that capacity should attend auditions and talk to McFadden at that time.

The 61^st season of the Putnam County Playhouse continues with a production of the mystery/comedy Clue: Onstage. It will be produced July 7-9 and July 13-16. All performances are at 8 p.m. and all tickets are $10. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 765-653-5880 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, during performance weeks only. Tickets and reservations are available through the box office only. No tickets requests or questions can be answered online.

Clue: Onstage brings all of the familiar board game characters to life.  Director Shelly McFadden and her assistant Vickie Parker have assembled a cast of PCPH veterans and newcomers to solve the case of the murder of Mr. Boddy (William Dory).

McFadden has directed many productions at PCPH including 1776, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Drowsy Chaperone. Parker has been with the Playhouse for many years. Her directing assignments have included Annie (1984), Oklahoma!, and Kiss Me, Kate (twice).

The lively cast in addition to Dory includes Dustin Bond as Wadsworth, the Butler. Characters matching the game tokens are Brad Sandy (Mr. Green), Daniel Hankee (Professor Plum), Anna Harris (Mrs. White), Courtney Slough (Miss Scarlett), Ric McFadden (Colonel Mustard), and Lita Sandy (Mrs. Peacock). Each of them spend time under investigation and questioning as Wadsworth tries to solve the mystery under pressure from the local police and various surprise vistors.

Others at home in Boddy Manor include Tatum Boswell (The Cook) and Kyla Scheuermann (Yvette). 

Playing multiple roles are Sam Draper, Cameron Wunderlich, and Jack Randall Earles is the Chief of Police.  There is even a surprise mystery guest who makes a brief appearance. Michael McClaine is the voice of the News Caster.

Boswell, Hankee, and Slough are making their PCPH debuts in this production. Bond was last seen in You Can’t Take It With You which he also directed last season. Brad Sandy was seen in Picnic and Lita Sandy has appeared in leading roles in Steel Magnolias and Gypsy.

Harris played roles in The Mousetrap and The Game’s Afoot. Ric McFadden has appeared in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and in The Music Man and Camelot. Dory is returning to the PCPH stage after appearing in Footloose a few seasons ago. Draper, Wunderlich, Scheuermann, and Earles have all had supporting roles in many productions.

Ben South is the sound board operator and Grace Elmore will run the light board. Wunderlich is production stage manager.  On the active stage crew are Parker Helmer, Bart Jones, Rebecca Hebb, Emily Gray, and Henry Cox. The keyboard player is Morgan Asher.

THIS PRODUCTION IS SPONSORED BY:

AND

This year our Children’s Theatre Workshop for participants who will be in the 2nd through the 5th grades this fall will be held July 18-22. To find out more details and to enroll click HERE.

Directors Shelly McFadden and Vickie Parker talk to the Man In The Chair about our July production – CLUE: Onstage. It will be on the Main Stage July 7-9 and July 13-16. Tickets go on sale Monday, July 4.

Watch the video HERE.

CLUE: Onstage is sponsored by:

Read the cast list HERE.

Our annual Youth Theatre Workshop SHAKESPEARED! is underway. Students from high schools and middle schools around the county have been working since June 13 on two productions of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth (theatrical superstition leads some actors to call it The Scottish Play when in the confines of the stage).

The performance for the middle school group will be Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m.  The high school group will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 25. Tickets are on sale at the door only on the days of performance. Admission is $3 with children under 12 admitted free.

The middle school group is performing a more traditional version and the high school group will present their off-beat comedic post-apocalyptic version, complete with a lively soundtrack, a chase, and pop-culture references

Sponsors for the show are:

Directors for the middle school group are Craig Robinson and Eleanor Howard. YTW creator and founder Caroline Good will direct the high school version.  Molly Murphy is the DePauw intern and assistant director. David Johnson (Bill Sikes in Oliver!) is also an assistant director and fight choreographer. Murphy is running the light board and Fiona Good is the sound board operator.

The middle school cast includes Alex Gurnon in the title role with Clara Everett as his mate. Also appearing – some in multiple roles – are Elijah Helmer, MJ Cooper, Josephine Glessner, Luna Pope, and Cagney Huffman. 

Joining them will be Jewlee Butcher, Kaylan Stampley, Josie Cox, Timothy Bogoearts, Leil Watkins, and Alex Roberts. Completing the distinguished cast are Johanna Stampley, Nadia Wagner, Nicolette Blackledge, Ethan Snider, and featuring Joey Draper.

The high school group will be led by Devin Huff as the troubled title character and Ruby Sullivan as his ambitious wife. Featured roles are taken by Alice Howard, James Malinoski, Stevie Keenan, Marie Malinoski, and Bella Green.

Also taking on the Bard are Courtney Huff, Samantha Funk, Dorian Dowd, Genevieve O’Rourke and Mercedes O’Rourke. Playing the three witches are Rebecca Hebb, Rose Malinoski, and Penny Cummings.

Featured in the Saturday night performance are Joslyn Cash, Mya Weddle, Marigrace Girton, Charlie Good, Hyrum Dickerson Hale, Ellen Blackledge, Teegan Tamm, Max Isaacs-Bailey, Katie Funk, Catherine Ryan-Shager, Charlie Martoglio, Vivian O’Rourke, and Lucy Malinoski.

The Main Stage Season continues with CLUE: ONSTAGE opening July 7.

Here is another opportunity to be in our August production of the musical Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. We are looking for four more actors over the age of 16 to play brothers.

Join us Wednesday, June 15, at 7 p.m. in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center to find out more! Make your summer even more fun!

Read about the show HERE. Read about the cast HERE.

Director Jack Randall Earles will hold two sessions of auditions for the musical ‘Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’.  The first will be Sunday, June 12, at 3 p.m.  The second will be Monday, June 13, at 7 p.m.  Both will be at the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Putnam County Playhouse.

You can download an audition form HERE.

The musical will be presented August 11-13 and August 17-20. 

It is sponsored by:

The leading roles include Joseph, the dreamer; the Narrator, who tells the story; Joseph’s eleven brothers and their mothers. Other roles are an Elvis-like Pharoah, Potiphar and his wife, and Jacob the “founder of the nation.” More details about the story and the characters can be found HERE.

The actresses playing the Mothers are also part of a lively ensemble that is included in most of the songs and dances.

Everyone should prepare 32 measures of a song for the audition. Morgan Asher, the musical director of the production will be on hand to provide accompaniment. The song can be from the show or another ‘Broadway’ type number. Those auditioning for the role of the Pharaoh should prepare an ‘Elvis’ type song.

After the singing, there will be a dance audition for all. Since the show is “sung-through” there are no scenes to read. Be prepared to shine in both the singing and dancing portions of the audition. And be prepared to have fun!

In addition to Asher, the production team includes Sandi Rossok as the assistant director, Kathryn Dory as the vocal director, and Cameron Wunderlich as production stage manager.

You can listen to the 1991 London Palladium Cast CD HERE.

The musical Oliver! continues its run as the 61st season opener at Putnam County Playhouse. There are four performances left June 8-11. There are some tickets left for each performance – but most are very close to being sold out. To check on ticket availability – you must telephone the box office after 5 p.m. at 765-653-5880.

[Ticket information, reservations, exchange requests MUST be handled through the Box Office. If you leave a message on Facebook or on the website, your answer will only be delayed. We are a 100% volunteer organization, and those working on the website & Facebook pages to NOT have access to ticket information.]

With both lively and poignant songs, Oliver! is a delightful evening out for everyone. Rollicking comic characters and touching family drama combine to make every moment enjoyable.

Oliver! is directed by Caroline Good. Musical director is Amy Tharp. Kathryn Dory is the vocal director.

The title character is played by Ella Tischer. Other leading roles are played by Alex Gurnon, Grace Buehler, David Johnson, and TJ Tincher.

The show is sponsored by:

The season will continue in July with the comedy-mystery Clue: Onstage.

The Tony-winning musical “Oliver!” will be onstage at the Putnam County Playhouse June 2-4 and June 8-11. All performances begin at 8 p.m. All tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling the box office at 765-653-5880 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily beginning Monday, May 30. The box office is open Monday-Saturday during performance weeks only. Tickets cannot be reserved online at the website OR on our Facebook pages.

The production is directed by Caroline Good, who also supervised the costumes for the show. Caroline directed Annie in 2018. She is also the creator and director of our annual SHAKESPEARED! Youth Theatre Workshop [this season’s production will be The Scottish Play]. She directs and teaches in the theatre department at DePauw University. Caroline has appeared in leading roles at PCPH in shows including Blithe Spirit, Angel Street, and The Sound of Music. She was also the special guest actress at Wabash University playing Amanda in their production of The Glass Menagerie.

Amy Tharp is musical director and pianist. She worked on Little Women The Musical at PCPH. Kathryn Dory is the vocal director. Kathryn will be the vocal director on August’s production of Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The orchestra includes Morgan Asher, keyboard; Dedee Schwomeyer, percussion, Kaitlyn Kissel, flute/piccolo; and Ty Ishikawa, trumpet.

Choreography was set by Sarah Armitage and Joshua Saul Bain who also choreographed last season’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Set design is by Linda Gjesvold. Dramaturg and dialect coach is Eleanor Howard.

The entire production is sponsored by Shuees Great Buys Plus.

Based on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist, the musical features Ella Tischer in the title role. Other leading roles include Alex Gurnon as the Artful Dodger, TJ Tincher as Fagin, Grace Buehler as Nancy, and David Johnson as Bill Sikes. Tischer, Gurnon, Buehler, and Johnson are making their PCPH main stage debuts in this show. Tincher was seen in last season’s Pillow Talk.

Leading the way in comic roles are Ashlee Ann Vitz and Andrew Ranck as Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry and Karen Temple as Widow Corney.  Chris Wurster is Mr. Brownlow and Tim Good plays Mr. Bumble. All are veterans on the PCPH stage.

Playing multiple roles are John Tischer and Bart Jones. Tischer played Gaston in the PCPH production of Beauty and the Beast and Jones appeared last season in You Can’t Take It With You.

Supporting roles are taken by Hannah McLaughlin, Clay Glessner, Cyrus Gurnon, Emily Gray, Jim Elliott, Kathi Elliott, Barb Boese, and Sandi Rossok.

Also appearing are Joey Draper, Josie Tischer, Ashley Hugues, Molly Murphy. Children appearing in the show are Josephine Glessner, Josie Cox, Clara Everett, Michael Henry, Sage Cummings, Marley Jedele, Jasmine Cummings, Josie Tischer. and Penny Cummings.

Production stage manager is Noah Pettit. Assistant stage manager is Cameron Wunderlich with Rebecca Hebb and Craig Robinson on the stage crew. Dana Henry is the sound technician and Shelby Merrill is running the light board.

The 61^st season of Putnam County Playhouse will begin with an Open House on Sunday, May 29, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre in Greencastle. The public is invited.

The event will include rehearsals of numbers from the season opener the musical Oliver!  Light refreshments will be served.

Board members will be on hand to answer questions.  Season tickets and individual tickets for all shows will be on sale at that time. We hope to see you there!

The season includes – in addition to Oliver!  – Clue: Onstage in July, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in August, and The Miracle Worker in September.

The Man In The Chair, Jack Randall Earles, sat down recently to talk to Caroline Good about Oliver! the musical that opens our 61st season. The show will be onstage June 2-4 & June 8-11.

Tickets go on sale at the Open House on Sunday, May 29, at 1 p.m. [The video mentions the time as 3 p.m. – but it will be at 1 p.m.! Mea Culpa!]

Enjoy the video! Click HERE to watch!

The show is sponsored by:

If you happen to be driving down Round Barn Road, don’t be surprised if you hear music and the sounds of dancing. The 61st season June & July shows are in rehearsals right now. First up in June is the Lionel Bart Tony-Award winning musical Oliver! It will be produced June 2-4 & June 8-11. Tickets for the show will go on sale on Sunday, May 29, at 1 p.m. during the annual PCPH Open House. Season tickets will be mailed out the third week in May.

Oliver! is directed by Caroline Good. Vocal Direction is by Kathryn Dory. Amy Tharp is the Pit Conductor/Pianist and choreography is by Sarah Armitage & Josh Bain. [Click HERE to read who’s in the cast!]

The show is sponsored by:

While Oliver! is toiling away on the main stage, Clue: Onstage is being blocked by directors Shelly McFadden & Vickie Parker in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center. [You can read about who’s who in the cast HERE].

With scripts in hand, the cast is working on developing characters and memorizing lines and blocking. Most shows rehearse four evenings each week to be ready for opening night. Clue: Onstage will be presented July 7-9 & July 13=16 on the main stage. Tickets for all shows will be on sale at the Open House at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 29.

The show is sponsored by:

The August musical Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and our September show The Miracle Worker have auditions coming up. If you’re interested in auditioning for either show, watch the website for information or ask any Board Member at the Open House!

Our technical committee – headed by Dustin Bond – is working on new lighting for our theatre. A matching grant from the Putnam County Foundation with the assistance of a semi-matching grant from Parke County REMC have helped us with the cost of the conversion to LED lighting instruments.

The LED lighting instruments use less electricity and burn with less heat than conventional instruments.

Plan to join us on Sunday, May 29, at 1 p.m. for the Open House celebrating our 61st season. Oliver! will be rehearsing, light refreshments will be served, and you can purchase your tickets to any show of our season! We hope to see you there!

“Many hands make light the work,” as Putnam County Playhouse veteran actress Adeline Knoy used to say. Director Caroline Good who is putting together our season opener, the musical Oliver! knows it’s true. Since the auditions in early April, everyone has been hard at work to make the magic happen! And everything has to be ready by opening night. [The show runs June 2-4 & June 8-11].

Vocal director Kathryn Dory and pianist Amy Tharp have been working with the cast on their songs. Director Good has been working on blocking and Sarah Armitage & Josh Bain are teaching the choreography. Dialect coach Eleanor Howard is helping everyone with the proper “speech” patterns. Stage manager Noah Pettit and assistant stage manager Cameron Wunderlich have been working to make sure every thing is in place! [To see a cast list click HERE].

On a recent Saturday, the Hazel Day Longden Theatre shop and the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center were buzzing with activity.

Construction in the shop sped apace with final work being done on set pieces and properties.

Of course every job needs a straw boss, and TJ Tincher was glad to volunteer.

The show is sponsored by:

Individual tickets for Oliver! go on sale at the annual PCPH Open House at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 29! See you there!

Director Shelly McFadden has scheduled two sessions of auditions for the Putnam County Playhouse production of the mystery comedy Clue: Onstage.  The first will be Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m.  The second session will be Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m.  The auditions will be in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

McFadden and her assistant director Vickie Parker will hear readings from the script.  Sides will be provided.  A list of characters and their stage age can be found here. The cast calls for five women and six men. You can also download an audition sheet here.

McFadden and Parker are also looking for technical and backstage personnel. If you are interested in working in those roles, you are invited to stop by auditions and talk to them about opportunities.  Production Stage Manager is Cameron Wunderlich.

This will be the second production of the 61^st season of PCPH.  It will be produced July 7-9 and July 13-16.  It is being sponsored by:

The comedy is based on the 1985 movie Clue with the characters and situations from the movie recreated for the stage.  Help us bring the movie to life on our stage.  This whodunit can become a YOUdunnit!

After an Open House at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 29, our season opens on June 2 with the musical OLIVER!

Director Caroline Good is holding two sessions of auditions to cast the musical OLIVER! – the opening show of the 61^st season of Putnam County Playhouse.  The first session will be Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m.  The second session will be Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m.  Both sessions will be in the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre in Greencastle. With book, music & lyrics by Lionel Bart the musical was a hit in the West End in London and on Broadway. It was also turned into an Academy-Award-winning film.

The title is character Oliver Twist, a workhouse boy whose adventures drive the narrative of the musical. It is based on the Charles Dickens novel of the same name.  Caroline is looking for a boy or girl with a stage age of 10 years old who can sing in the soprano voice, particularly in the solo song “Where Is Love?”.

A group of younger performers (ages 8-16) will play the boys in the workhouse, Fagin’s gang including The Artful Dodger, and perform in the ensemble. There are roles for about 16 performers male & female in this category.

Caroline is also looking for performers for adult roles including Fagin, the man who teaches his gang of boys to be thieves; Nancy, a young girl trying to live a better life; Bill Sikes, a villainous man who threatens both Oliver & Nancy; Mr. & Mrs. Sowerberry, the undertakers; Mr. Bumble, the workhouse beadle; Widow Corney, the workhouse mistress; and Mr. Brownlow, a gentleman of wealth & breeding.  Vocal requirements for these characters can be found here. There are several other characters to be cast and there is large singing & dancing ensemble that appears in most of the show!

All of those wishing to audition should prepare 16 bars of a song from a Broadway musical.  An accompanist will be provided.  There will also be readings from the script and a short dance/movement audition by choreographers Sarah Armitage & Josh Bain.

Vocal director for the show is Kathryn Dory and pit director/conductor is Amy Tharp. The musical will be presented June 2-4 & June 8-11.

Ages 8-16 download an audition form HERE.

Adults 17+ download an audition form HERE.

Oliver! Is sponsored by:

We hope you are ready to join us for our 61st season here at Putnam County Playhouse. Whether you plan to be in the audience, onstage, or backstage, there is a place for everyone!

Our Season Ticket Brochure was mailed out last week, so watch your mailbox! Individual tickets for our season will go on sale on Sunday, May 29, at our Annual Open House!

Opening our season is the Tony-winning musical Oliver! It will be produced June 2-4 and June 8-11. Auditions for director Caroline Good are coming right up on Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m. and Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m. Vocal director is Kathryn Dory and musical director is Amy Tharp. Choreography is by Josh Bain & Sarah Armitage. Read Caroline’s Director’s Note here. You can read details about the show here and read the character descriptions here. Oliver! offers great opportunities for performers of all ages. Lionel Bart based his musical on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. Join Caroline, who directed our production of Annie and has also trod the boards at PCPH, DePauw University (where she teaches and is the Costume Director) and Wabash University among other theatres!

The show is sponsored by:

Caroline is also the creator of our Youth Theatre Workshop SHAKESPEARED! which will be conducted June 13-24 with a performances on June 24 & June 25. Our Children’s Theatre Workshop will be July 18-21 with a performance on July 22. Both performances are also sponsored by Shuee’s Great Buys Plus!

Our second show will be Clue: Onstage! It will be directed by Shelly McFadden and assistant directed by Vickie Parker. The mystery-comedy will be onstage July 7-9 and July 13-16. Auditions will be Sunday May 1 at 3 p.m. and Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m. Click here to read Shelly’s comments about the show. To read details about the show click here. To read a character list and descriptions click here. Writers Jonathan Lynn, Hunter Foster, Sandy Rustin, and Eric Price have rewritten the popular movie into a stage version with all the laughs intact! Shelly has directed many productions at PCPH including The Drowsy Chaperone and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She has also appeared onstage in shows like Picnic, The Music Man, and Annie. The show is sponsored by:

The third production of the 61st season will be the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with music by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It will be produced. August 11-13 and August 17-20. Auditions will be Sunday, June 12 at 3 p.m. and Monday, June 13 at 7 p.m. Joseph will be directed & choreographed by Jack Randall Earles with vocal direction by Kathryn Dory and musical direction by Morgan Asher. To read Jack Randall’s thoughts about the show click here. To read details about the show click here. To read information about the cast click here. Jack Randall has been working at the Putnam County Playhouse for many years [too many to mention JRE]. He has appeared in many shows onstage most recently in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and You Can’t Take It With You. He has also directed many shows here including Picnic, Guys & Dolls, and The Bad Seed. The show is sponsored by:

Our 61st season will close with a production of William Gibson’s inspiring play The Miracle Worker. It will be produced September 8-10 and September 14-17. Auditions for director Ric McFadden will be Sunday, July 17 at 3 p.m. and Monday, July 18 at 7 p.m. Click here to read Ric’s thoughts on the show. The play tells the real life story of Helen Keller who was blind and deaf from infancy and her teacher Anne Sullivan. It was a Tony Award winning play on Broadway and was made into an Academy Award winning film and later an Emmy winning television movie [it was first a live television play in the 1950’s]. Read details about the play here. To read the cast list and description click here.

[If you are a local business and are interested in sponsoring this production, please contact us on our Facebook page for details.]

All auditions will be at the Michael McClaine Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre in Greencastle.

Sign up here beginning February 1, 2002!!!

This year’s annual two-week-long “Shakespeared!” Workshop at the Putnam County Playhouse centers around Macbeth, with the middle school group performing a more traditional version and the high school group presenting their off-beat comedic version, complete with a lively soundtrack, chase, and pop-culture references.  Both versions embody Shakespeare’s original text, but in short condensed adaptations.

Both groups meet in the afternoons daily during the two weeks, playing theatre games, learning voice,  stage movement, and acting techniques, and, of course, rehearsing the play.  The middle school (entering grades 6th-8th) group meets Monday-Friday 12:30-2:30pm, and the high school (entering 9th+) workshop meets Monday-Friday 3:00-5:30pm with performances Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25 at 7:00pm, when each group presents their own very different versions of the play: the middle school group performing on Friday and the high school group performing on Saturday.

We plan to adhere to guidance provided by the CDC for Covid-19 at the time of the workshop. Last year, we were able to relax a little, but participants still had the option to wear masks during sessions, we created physical distanced staging, and we kept air flowing throughout the playhouse, or worked outside.  The kids did have the option to perform without masks, as well.  We’re hoping for the best, but are prepared to implement whatever protocols seem appropriate at the time.

The scripts will be available soon on the playhouse at the Youth Theatre Workshop page using the drop down menu. So, feel free to read it before our first day. We will read through the play on day one, and the players will have a chance to note their role preferences. The roles will be cast that evening, and rehearsals will begin on day two!

THERE ARE PARTS FOR EVERYONE! “Shakespeared!” is tailored to provide young players with an opportunity to engage with Shakespeare’s text in a fun way and to see the potential interpretations that lie within the text.

The registration link for the 2022 workshop will be available on February 1st! PLEASE DON’T USE THE 2021 FORM!!!

Our fund drive letters for our 2022 season have gone out! Broadway recently opened up again, and we hope we can return to our regular seating arrangement and celebrate our 61st season with you – our wonderful audiences!

We have planned a season of fun and entertainment for you that includes the return of a favorite show that we were unable to bring you last summer, the stage version of a hilarious film favorite, a classic musical, and a heartwarming family story. Season ticket information will be mailed to you in April/May. Please plan to join us for:

This glorious musical version of the Charles Dickens novel will open our season with performances June 2-4 and June 8-11. Director Caroline Good will have auditions on Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m. and Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m. Oliver! is always a favorite and includes such lively songs as “I’d Do Anything”, “Ooom-Pah-Pah” and the touching “Where Is Love” and “As Long As He Needs Me.”

[Our previously planned production of Fiddler on the Roof was replaced because of licensing restrictions placed on community theatres when a professional road company is planned for the territory.]

Our next attraction will be Clue Onstage. This is the stage version of the hilarious film. It will be onstage July 7-9 and July 13-16. Come and see if you can figure out who killed Mr. Boddy…..and where…..and with what instrument! Directors Shelly McFadden & Vickie Parker will have auditions Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. and Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m.

….try try again….. Our third attraction will be Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This re-telling of the Biblical account of Joseph and his brothers will be presented August 11-13 and August 17-20. Director Jack Randall Earles will have auditions Sunday, June 13 at 3 p.m. and Monday, June 14 at 7 p.m.

The 61st season will close with a production of The Miracle Worker. This story of teacher Annie Sullivan and her student Helen Keller will warm your heart. It will be onstage September 8-10 and September 14-17. Director Ric McFadden will have auditions Sunday, July 17, at 3 p.m. and Monday, July 18 at 7 p.m.

SHAKESPEARED! The Youth Theatre Workshop will present Macbeth. The workshop will be conducted June 13-24 with performances on June 24 & 25. The Children’s Theatre Workshop will be conducted July 18-22 with a performance on July 22.

If you did not receive your Fund Drive Letter – or you are not on our mailing list, you can download a contribution form HERE.

The Rehearsal Center at the Putnam County Playhouse is used for many things. Its primary use, of course, is for a rehearsal space. While the show next on the schedule is rehearsing on the mainstage, the show following it spends its time in the Rehearsal Center. Tape on the floor marks out the set design and folding chairs and “rehearsal” furniture are used to help the actors during blocking.

The rehearsal center is also used for auditions. There are also dressing rooms for the performers. During a performance, it is the Green Room – the place where actors who are not onstage wait until it’s time for them to go their “places” before making an entrance. Before we had the rehearsal center, the dressing rooms were in the small barn – there were many crossovers in the rain! Auditions and rehearsals were also held outdoors.

It was in 2006 that the decision was finally made – after many seasons of discussion – that fundraising for a rehearsal center would begin. We had a fundraising evening of entertainment and a special outreach was made to PCPH supporters. The result was gratifying, and ground was broken for the structure in the spring of 2007.

Construction was quick, and the structure was ready to use for the opening show of the season Cinderella.

This past season, the board elected to give the rehearsal center a name. While the efforts of many made the project happen, the board chose to name it after the person whose efforts at fund raising and attention to detail were paramount in making the rehearsal center a reality. From now on it will be known as:

The annual meeting for Putnam County Playhouse was held on Sunday, October 3, at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. Board members and guests Ashlee Anne Vitz and Bryan Schroeder convened to hear reports on the 2021 season.

Committee chairpersons gave their reports on their activity and a lively conversation about PCPH was enjoyed by all.

As provided in the By-Laws of PCPH, the nominating committee also put forth the names of those who were to be considered for the role of a member of the board. Four names of board members whose terms were expiring and who had expressed an interest in serving again were placed in nomination. They were Caroline Good, Brad Sandy, Sandi Rossok, and Shelly McFadden. Cameron Wunderlich was nominated to fulfill the final year of retiring board member Drew Brattain’s term. The roster was accepted by acclamation.

Jack Randall Earles was named the winner of the Upstage Award for his role as Louis XI in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

In the regular board meeting that followed, the nomination committee presented its prepared slate of officers who will serve for the coming season. They were President, Shelly McFadden; Vice-Presidents, Dustin Bond and Linda Gjesvold; Recording Secretary-Assistant Treasurer, Kathryn Dory; Corresponding Secretary, Jack Randall Earles; and Treasurer, Mark Hammer.

Congratulations to our new president Shelly McFadden and welcome to new board member Cameron Wunderlich!

This year the Annual Meeting of the Putnam County Playhouse, Inc., will be on Sunday, October 3, at 2 p.m.

The meeting will be in the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.Social distancing and masks will be followed. Because of protocols, refreshments will not be served this year.

This letter to you from our outgoing President Michael McClaine explains the details!

The prestigious HAMMY/UPSTAGE Award will also be presented at the meeting. Our nominees from our three productions this season are:

Jack Randall Earles as Louis XI in Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Ashlee Anne Vitz as Alma in Pillow Talk.

Jack Randall Earles as Wilbur C. Henderson in You Can’t Take It With You.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this unusual season a success. We are all looking forward to our 2022 season, and we hope you are, too!

As the 2021 60th Anniversary Season of Putnam County Playhouse comes to an end, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our supporters for all they have done for us.

To our audiences – THANK YOU for attending our productions!

To those who contributed to our 2021 Fund Drive – THANK YOU!

To all of those who worked on our shows & workshops, THANK YOU!

To our sponsors for the season – THANK YOU!

See you 2022!

The final show of the 60th season at Putnam County Playhouse is now open! You can call the box office at 765-653-5880 after 5 p.m daily [except Sunday]. All performances begin at 8 p.m. and all tickets are $10. The Pulitzer-prize winning comedy You Can’t Take It With You will be presented September 7-11 and September 14-18. Limited seating is available.

The production is sponsored by:

To read about our sponsor click HERE.

The leading role of Martin Vanderhof, an iconoclastic grandfather bent on tilting windmills, is acted by Ric McFadden. The place is New York City and the time in 1938 or so. Vanderhof and his family including daughter Penny (Shelly McFadden), son-in-law Paul (Michael McClaine) and grand daughters Essie (Hannah Lafever) and Alice (Anna Harris) all live in worlds of their own making. His other son-in-law Ed (Bart Jones) plays the xylophone and sells candy on the side.

Also involved in the house are the servants Rheba (Morgan Asher) and Donald (Noah D. Pettit). Mr. De Pinna (Jim Rambo) helps Paul with creating fireworks and Boris Kolenkhov (Jack Randall Earles) visits regularly to help Essie with her dancing.

When daughter Alice falls in love with Anthony Kirby, Jr. (Cameron Wunderlich), the delicate imbalance of the household is thrown into a whirl. An invitation to dinner offered to the senior Kirbys (Holly Pritchett & Dustin Bond) begins a night of chaos that even the Vanderhof-Sycamores are unable to set right.

Can love survive? Will Tony and Alice finally get together?

Sometimes even a Mrs. Fix-It like Penny is unable to come up with a solution. And what about the visiting Russian Grand Duchess (Karen Temple), the G-Men (Ethan Lawler), and Gay Wellington (Sandi Rossok), an actress who enjoys her whiskey?

Directed by Dustin Bond who also did the lighting design. Linda Gjesvold did the set design. Ruby Sullivan is the light board operator.

Did we mention the Grand Duchess Olga Katrina, a cousin to the Czar of all the Russias?

Oh…..and Donald always brings the flies with him.

PHOTOS BY LINDA GJESVOLD.

In a spirit of optimism – members of the cast of the planned September production are continuing their rehearsals. The Pulitzer-Prize winning comedy You Can’t Take It With You will hopefully be presented September 7-11 and September 14-18. All performances will begin at 8 p.m. and all tickets are $10. The box office will open at 5 p.m. on Monday, September 6. At that time you can call 765-653-5880 for reservations. No calls will be taken until then. After September 6, the box office will be open daily at 5 p.m. [except Sunday, September 12].

The production is sponsored by:

The comedy is directed by Dustin Bond – who also designed the lighting. Ruby Sullivan will run the light board. The set was designed by Linda Gjesvold.

The cast includes Ric McFadden in the leading role of Martin Vanderhoff – a man who has gone his own way in life. Playing members of his eccentric family are Michael L. McClaine as son-in-law Paul who is married to free spirit Penny played by Shelly McFadden. His two granddaughters Essie an aspiring ballet dancer and Alice a secretary are played by Hannah Lefever and Anna Harris respectively. Essie’s husband, Ed, who plays the xylophone and sells home made candy is played by Bart Jones making his PCPH debut. Jim Rambo is Mr. DiPenna, who assists Paul in making fireworks.

The household domestic couple are played by Morgan Asher and Noah D. Pettit. Tony Kirby, a suitor to Alice, is played by Cameron Wunderlich. Jay Prewitt and Holly Pritchett are his parents, the stuffy Mr. and Mrs. Kirby.

Other visitors to the house include Mr. Kolenkhov, Essie’s dancing teacher played by Jack Randall Earles; an actress who Penny is trying to recruit to be in one of the plays she has written, Gay Wellington, played by Sandi Rossok; an IRS representative, Joshua Saul Bain; and a deposed Russian Duchess, Karen Temple. Bond, Bain, and Ethan Lawler are G-Men who pay a surprise visit to the household.

Wunderlich, Harris, and Pettit are also working backstage. This production will close the 60th anniversary season of Putnam County Playhouse.

Putnam County Playhouse has announced that its August production of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has been canceled.  A member of the JOSEPH company tested positive for Covid-19 and the production was halted last week.

Refunds are available for those who have pre-purchased tickets for the show.  The box office at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre will be open August 9-14 and August 16-21.  Box office will be open from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. each of those days only.  Those wishing to receive a refund should bring their tickets to the box office on any of those days. Refunds will not be offered after August 21.

We thank you for your continued support.  The 60^th Season will end in September with a production of the Pulitzer-prize winning comedy You Can’t Take It With You.

NOTE: TICKETS FOR THIS 2021 PRODUCTION WILL NOT BE HONORED FOR ANY PLANNED PRODUCTION IN 2022.

The 2021 Children’s Theatre Workshop is in operation this week.  Creator-Director Caroline Good has gathered a talented group of instructors and interns to provide the participants with a great experience in “how theatre is created”.

The Workshop will present the fruits of its labors to an audience of family and friends at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 23, at 7 p.m.

Working with Good are Ashlee Anne Vitz [late of Pillow Talk] and Craig Robinson [who appeared in SHAKESPEARED! earlier this summer].

The interns include Bella Green, Rebecca Hebb, Ruby Sullivan, Avery H. Stockwell , Marigrace Girton , MJ Cooper ,and Gunner Roach . Working on the technical side are DePauw students Molly Murphy, Ivy Sedam, Josie Cox, and Grace Riley.

One of the plays on the bill will be “The Disappearing Porridge” written by Riley. The cast for this production features Lydia Grove, Josie Tincher, Blake Hambler, Charlotte Tomamichel, Abram Goss, and Mariah Hall. Appearing with them are Jackson Wells, Finley Burton, Gabby Robbins, Aleks Koulak, Lydia Wells, Sage Cummings, Addy Koulak, and Alex Gurnon.  

Also being presented is “The Tiniest Queen” written by seventh grader Cooper.  It features Hayley Roderick, Gabriel Whitman, Keyli Hamblet, Cecilia Wells, and Jessica Bogaerts. Also appearing will be Atlas Cora McAllister, Hillis Barcus, Lauren Wells, and Layla Koulak.

Director Dustin Bond has scheduled two sessions of auditions for You Can’t Take It With You. The Pulitzer-prize winning comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart will close the 60^th season of Putnam County Playhouse with performances September 7-11 and September 14-18.

Auditions will be at the Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre on Sunday, July 18 at 3 p.m. and again Monday, July 19, at 7 p.m.

Download an audition sheet here.

The show is being sponsored by Shuee’s Great Buys Plus.

To read about our sponsor click here.

Bond is looking for actors to portray a family of eccentrics – the Sycamores –  who live by their own rules and the people who come into contact with them.  There are roles for actors of all ability levels.  The leading roles include Grandpa Vanderhoff, the head of the family; Penny, his daughter, who fancies herself a painter and/or a playwright; Alice, the grand daughter who is not sure of her place in the world; and Tony Kirby, who loves Alice in spite of her family. 

Other roles include Penny’s daughter Essie and her husband Ed, the family servants Reba and her boyfriend, Donald: Tony’s disapproving parents, and many more.  The full character list and their stage ages can be found here.

To read the play click here.

This is a great opportunity for actors who are looking to be onstage for the first time or who are returning to the stage after an absence.  All those auditioning should be 16 years of age or older.

The 60^th season continues in August with a production of the musical Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

You can read all about our 2021 Children’s Theatre Workshop

by clicking HERE.

The second production of the 60th season of Putnam County Playhouse is set to take the stage! It is the comedy Pillow Talk directed by Andrew Ranck.

The show will open Tuesday, July 6. There will be ten performances at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre: July 6-10 & July 13-17. The box office will open at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 5. The number to call is 765-653-5880. All tickets are $10 and all performances begin at 8 p.m. The box office accepts cash or personal checks. We are unable to process credit/debit cards.

Based on the popular 1959 film that featured the first onscreen pairing of Rock Hudson and Doris Day – the fast moving plot details the hilarious consequences of sharing a telephone party line. Jan Morrow needs to get a call through and her party line nemesis Brad Allen will not get off the line!

Starring in the leading roles are Sarah Armitage as Jan and TJ Tincher as Brad. Both of these performers have been in many shows at PCPH and bring strong comic timing and character development to the stage. Sarah was last seen in the drama Picnic. TJ directed Send Me No Flowers in 2019.

Director Ranck has also peopled his cast with stalwart comic supporting players. They include Ashlee Anne Vitz as Alma, Jan’s maid with a love for drink and Scott Armitage is Pierrot, Jan’s fussy boss at a swank decorating firm. Also featured is Sam Draper as Brad’s rival for Jan’s affections, the wealthy Jonathon Forbes.

Making her PCPH debut is Tara Smith who plays a telephone inspector and four – count them FOUR – of Brad’s girlfriends. Also featured and fresh from a performance in June’s Hunchback of Notre Dame is Noah D. Pettit as Tony Walters, a lecherous young swain with designs on designer, Jan.

Scene stealing will be rampant with the popular Karen Temple playing multiple roles including Mrs. Walters and an annoying telephone operator. Joining her in displaying multiple personalities are Brad Sandy, Lita Sandy, and Mike Mitchell. Each of them is involved in a dazzling display of costume changes as they play a policeman, a beat poet, a maid, and clients of the design firm owned by Mr. Pierrot.

Production stage manager of the production is Jessica Alltop. Her stage crew includes Cameron Wunderlich with assistance from cast members. Sarah Nowling is running the light board and the sound board is operated by Grant Pettit.

Scenic artist for Pillow Talk is Linda Gjesvold. Set design and set decoration is by Ranck. The set includes some original mid-century modern furnishings, electronics, and art work.

DePauw intern Ivy Sedam is the costume co-ordinator while her fellow intern Ja’el Thomas is working on various aspects of the production. Board liaison is Caroline Good.

Seating is limited to 80 audience members per performance as PCPH continues to follow the recommendations for social distancing.

The season continues in August with the musical Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and ends in September with the Pulitzer-prize winning comedy You Can’t Take It With You.

YO! The latest edition of SHAKESPEARED! the annual Putnam County Playhouse Youth Theatre Workshop will present the fruits of its labor this weekend. A group of Middle School students and a group of High School students will each present of version of the Bard’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The middle school production will be presented on Friday, June 25, at 7 p.m. The high school production will be presented on Saturday, June 26, at 7 p.m. at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. Although both presentations are open to the public, social distancing is stressed. EXTREMELY LIMITED SEATING [80 chairs per performance] is available with preference given to the families and friends of our cast members. Admission is $3 for those over 12 years of age and FREE for those not yet that age. Tickets are available at the door only.

The productions are sponsored by:

Read more about our sponsor HERE.

Read about our sponsor here.

The Middle School Group is directed by Eleanor Howard and Craig Robinson. It features Josie Cox as Hermia and MJ Cooper as Lysander with Gunner Roach as Demetrius and Marigrace Girton as Helena. The Royals are Grace Riley, Joey Draper, Molly Murphy and Sadie Henry.

Also featured are Ella Tischer, Kathryn Funk, Charlie Hall, Luna Pope, Lillian Green, and Alex Roberts. Appearing as the mischievous fairies are Clara Everett, Rowan O’Bannon, Jocelyn Gardner, Madilyn Hiatt, Jasmine Cummings, and Jewelee Butcher.

Murphy and Riley are assistant directors for both groups. Working on the technical side for both productions are Ivy Sedam as costume designer/co-ordinator, Ja’el Thomas the light operator, and Fiona Good as the sound technician.

The high school group is directed by Caroline Good, creator of SHAKESPEARED and the adapter for both scripts. This version of the Shakespearean classic features Ellie Henry, Alice Howard, Stevie Keenan, and Jessica Geiger as the star-crossed lovers. The Royals are Willow Jones, Peyton Freeman, Courtney Huff, and Maia Alley.

Also featured are Kiara Boyd, Craig Robinson, Mya Weddle, Olivia Stierwalt, Samantha Funk, Rebecca Hebb, Evalyn Green, and Marlene Andrade.

Featured roles are played by Ruby Sullivan, Devin Huff, Charlie Xaq Good, Griffin Jones, Avery H. Stockwell, Ava Watson, and Elena Emmerich.

Auditions for the third production of the 60^th season of Putnam County Playhouse have been set.  The musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor© Dreamcoat will be produced August 10-14 and August 17-21.  Director Jack Randall Earles will hold two sessions of auditions.  The first will be on Sunday, June 13, at 3 p.m. and the second will be Monday, June 14, at 7 p.m.  Both sessions will be in the Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre in Greencastle.

The show is being sponsored by First National Bank.

Read about our sponsor HERE.

Vocal direction is by Kathryn Dory. Assistant director is Sandi Rossok. Musical staging and dances will be by Earles and Lita Sandy. Morgan Asher is the rehearsal/production pianist and pit conductor. Production stage manager for the show is Cameron Wunderlich.

Click HERE to download an audition form.

Anyone wishing to audition should prepare 32 measures of a song and bring sheet music.   An accompanist will be provided.  Songs should be appropriate for a musical. Acapella auditions are discouraged.

All of those auditioning should be at least 16 years of age.

Because this musical is a “sing-thru” there are no scenes to be read.  Instead an extensive dance audition will be included.  Please wear appropriate shoes.

Characters to be cast include The Narrator, a strong female singer who tells the story; Joseph, the hero of the story; Joseph’s eleven brothers and their father, Jacob.  An Elvis-like singer is also sought for the role of The Pharaoh.  A strong mixed ensemble is also needed.  Additional roles and solos will be cast from the ensemble.

To read more about the characters in the musical click HERE.

To read the Director’s Note click HERE.

The current season continues this week with sold out performances of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and with the comedy Pillow Talk which opens July 6.

The first show of our 60th season, the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame, is sold out for all remaining performances.

Thank you to all of our subscribers and those who have reserved tickets. Our seating arrangement contains 80 seats for each performance in order to follow mandated social distancing protocols.

If you are a season ticket subscriber and you have tickets for the show that you cannot use OR if you have made reservations and find that you cannot attend the show – please let the box office know so that those tickets can be released. You can call the box office at 765-653-5880 ONLY after 5 p.m. on PERFORMANCE DAYS ONLY. Our box office is staffed by volunteers and is ONLY open those hours.

THANK YOU!!

Registration is complete. If you are participating, you can find more information here.

The 60^th anniversary season of Putnam County Playhouse will open on June 1 with a production of the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The show will be presented June 1-5 and June 8-12.  All shows begin at 8 p.m. and all tickets are $10.

Details about the cast and crew can be found here.

The production is sponsored by:

Our season was planned with Covid restrictions in place.  Because of social distancing, the number of seats in our theatre has been reduced to 87 for each performance.  You can see a seating chart here.

Our season ticket advance sales have reduced the number of seats available by nearly half.  So there are some seats available for MOST performances, but tickets are in limited supply.  You can make reservations for The Hunchback of Notre Dame or any of our shows by calling the box office.

The box office number is 765-653-5880.  The box office is only open during performance weeks from 5 p.m to 7 p.m. daily except Sunday. So for our current production, it will open on Monday, May 31, at 5 p.m. 

No ticket requests or questions can be answered on Facebook or the website.  Tickets are available ONLY by visiting or calling the box office.  Please do not submit ticket requests or questions on the Facebook or website platforms.

Our season continues in July with the comedy Pillow Talk, in August with the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor© Dreamcoat, and closes in September with the Pulitzer prize winning comedy, You Can’t Take It With You.

Definition of “Party Line” by Merriam-Webster:

A single telephone circuit connecting two or more subscribers with the exchange — called also party wire.

The 60^th season of the Putnam County Playhouse will continue in July with a production of the comedy Pillow Talk.  It will be presented July 6-10 and July 13-17.

Director Andrew Ranck will conduct two sessions of auditions for roles in the play.  The first will be Sunday, May 23, at 3 p.m. with the second on Monday, May 24 at 7 p.m.  Both sessions will be in the Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre in Greencastle.

Best known as a 1959 film starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson, the characters in Pillow Talk include Jan Morrow, a smart interior decorator, who shares a party line [the show is set in the late 1950’s] with a suave song writer, Brad Allen.  There are many supporting characters including Jonathan Forbes, a rich man with a crush on Jan; Alma, Jan’s maid; Pierot, Jan’s partner in her design firm; Mrs. Walters and her son, Tony, clients of the firm; and Brad’s girlfriends and many others.

Read about the show and find a character list here.

Andrew says: “From romantic leads, best friends, persnickety shopkeepers, liquor friendly housekeepers, sexy models, nightclub singers, and judgmental telephone company supervisors, there is a tremendous variety of comedic character parts perfect for everyone…..”  Read all of his comments about the play here.

No monologues are necessary, and those who audition will be reading from the script. All those auditioning should be at least 16 years of age.

You can print out an audition form here.

Live theatre is coming back to the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. The Putnam County Playhouse will open its 60th season with a production of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The musical will play ten performances June 1-5 and June 8-12. Tickets for the show will go on sale when the box office opens at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 31. All performances begin at 8 p.m. and all tickets are $10.

All Covid protocols will be followed. Patrons are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing while in the theatre. There will be 80 seats only available for each performance. Several performances will have limited seating available because of the advance season ticket sales.

This version of the classic story has songs from the Disney animated feature and the script is based on the book by Victor Hugo. Music is by Alan Menken and lyrics by Steven Schwartz. The book is by Peter Parnell.

Director for the production is Shelly McFadden. Vocal Director is Lori Miller. Rehearsal pianist and pit conductor is Morgan Asher. Choreographer is Joshua Bain who also serves as assistant director. He is being assisted by Sarah Armitage with the dances. Set design is by Ric McFadden and the technical director is Dustin Bond.

The production is sponsored by:

Read about our sponsor HERE.

Read about our sponsor HERE.

The title role of Quasimodo the Hunchback of Notre Dame will be played by Dustin Bond. Samantha Grace Shelton plays the gypsy girl Esmerelda who befriends him. Ric McFadden and Jay Prewitt play the Frollo brothers, Claude and Jehan. Other leading roles are Clopin the King of the Gypsies played by Grant Craig and Captain Phoebus played by Nathan Brown – both actors making their PCPH debuts in this musical. Playing multiple roles are Chris Wurster, Anna Harris, Kayla Norman, and Noah D. Pettit.

Michaela Semak and Jack Randall Earles appear in supporting roles.

The choir will feature Susan Anthony, Kathryn Dory, Kathi Elliott, Dale Grove, Hannah Newlin, Diane K. Parrish, Lisa Price, Kyla Scheuermann, Eric Vagedes, Miller and Bain, and four members of the Howard family: Brian, Eleanor, George, and Alice.

Among those joining Asher in the pit are Ally Trexler (violin) and Dede Schwomeyer (percussion).

Stage Manager is Cameron Wunderlich. Props master is Pettit. Also working on the stage crew are Sarah Nowling and Ally Taylor. Costumes are by Shelly and Sarah. Running the sound board is Grace Elmore and Därvell Barger will run the light board. Spotlight operators are Tucker Elmore and Josie Lyons.

Director Caroline Good has announced that registration is now open for the 2021 Children’s Theatre Workshop. Last year, the CTW was conducted online. “All protocols will be observed, but we hope to have an in person Workshop this season,” said Caroline. “We will make that decision as the time approaches.”

To sign up for the workshop click here.

Two additional sessions of auditions for the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame have been scheduled by director Shelly McFadden.  The first will be Sunday, March 28 at 3 p.m. and the second will be Monday, March 29 at 7 p.m.  Both sessions will be in the Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre in Greencastle.

The show will be produced June 1-5 & June 8-12. It will open the planned 60th Season of Putnam County Playhouse. Details are still being worked out. The board is watching the COVID protocols carefully and decisions will be made with the safety of our participants and audiences in mind.

Among roles in the musical are Quasimodo, the title character; Esmerelda, the beautiful dancer he falls in love with; Frollo, the archdeacon of Notre Dame; and Phoebus, the captain of the Cathedral Guard.  McFadden is also looking for a large ensemble – or congregation.  Numerous supporting roles will be cast from the congregation.  There are opportunities for many performers in singing and dancing roles.

Click HERE to learn more about the roles/characters and to read about the production.

You can print out an audition form in advance HERE.

Also needed are a few more members for the Choir, who sing throughout the production. Persons interested in performing in the Choir can audition during these sessions as well. You can print out an audition form for the Choir HERE.

Those wishing to audition should prepare no more than 32 measures of a song.  An accompanist will be provided. Please bring your sheet music. A capella auditions are strongly discouraged.  There will also be a dance portion of the audition.  All those auditioning should be at least 16 years of age.  Those attending should wear masks, and social distancing will be observed during the process.

Plans for our 60th Season continue. Director Shelly McFadden is planning two sessions of auditions for members of the choir in her production of the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The show is scheduled to be presented in June with dates to be announced.

The choir consists of two double quartets. Those appearing in this capacity will be onstage during the entire play. These participants will also have their music books with them.

The auditions for Choir Members will be Sunday, March 14, at 3 p.m. and again Monday, March 15, at 7 p.m. Both sessions will be in the Rehearsal Center at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. Those auditioning are asked to prepare a musical selection of not more than 32 measures. An accompanist will be provided. [A capella auditions are strongly discouraged.] And all Covid restrictions will be in place including wearing masks and social distancing.

CHOIR AUDITION FORM HERE.

All of those auditioning should be at least sixteen years of age. Auditions for leading roles and members of the congregant who will play multiple roles will be March 28 & March 29. More details are forthcoming.

To read more about the show click here and here.

Registration is now open for Shakespeared! Youth Theatre Workshop 2021

Workshop Dates:  Mondays-Fridays June 14-26

Performances:  Friday & Saturday, June 25 & 26 at 7:00pm

This year’s annual two-week-long Shakespeared! Workshop at the Putnam County Playhouse centers around A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The middle school group will perform a more traditional version and the high school group will present its off-beat comedic version, complete with a lively soundtrack, chase, and pop-culture references. 

Sign up by clicking HERE.

Both groups meet in the afternoons daily during the two weeks. Activities include theatre games, learning voice, stage movement, and acting techniques, and, of course, rehearsing the play.  The middle school group meets Monday-Friday 12:30-2:30pm, and the high school workshop meets Monday-Friday 3:00-5:30pm with performances Friday and Saturday, June 26-27 at 7:00pm, when each group presents their own very different versions of the play.

We will plan on adhering strictly to the updated CDC protocols for Covid-19 at the time of the workshop. Last year, all participants wore masks during sessions, we created physical distanced staging, and we kept air flowing throughout the playhouse, or worked outside.  Props and set pieces were wiped down frequently, and we provided hand sanitizer.  We’re hoping for the best, but are prepared to implement these protocols again and consider moving the performances to the park, if necessary.

The scripts will be available soon on the playhouse website’s Youth Theatre Workshop page. So, feel free to read it before our first day. We will read through the play on day one, and the players will have a chance to note their role preferences. The roles will be cast that evening, and rehearsals will begin on day two!

THERE ARE PARTS FOR EVERYONE!

Shakespeared! is tailored to provide young players with an opportunity to engage with Shakespeare’s text in a fun way and to see the potential interpretations that lie within the text.  For more information click here.

Details and sign up information for our annual July Children’s Theatre Workshop will be posted soon.

As we move ahead with our plans for our 60th Anniversary Season, we hope that we will be able to produce the four shows that we have announced for the summer 0f 2021.

We are still watching details about the Pandemic and will follow all protocols as prescribed by county, state, and Federal authorities. The board is planning a meeting in early March to discuss changes we may have to make to our season. Any and all of those decisions will be posted here, so keep watching the Website.

Until then, if you are interested in participating in a production this summer, you can find all the information you need at the links below. Stay safe and we hope to see you at the barn!

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Show Information.

Director’s Note.

Cast Information.

Pillow Talk

Show Information.

Director’s Note.

Cast Information.

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor© Dreamcoat

Show Information.

Director’s Note.

Cast Information.

You Can’t Take It With You

Show Information.

Director’s Note.

Cast Information.

We sincerely hope that we can be onstage this summer and that you will be able to join us. Please know that all dates in this post are TENTATIVE and depend entirely on the protocols that will be in place in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued support.

Planning a production and putting together all of the pieces can’t wait until the last minute! So director Shelly McFadden decided to go ahead with work on The Hunchback of Notre Dame – our first planned production for 2021.

Left to right: Noah Pettit, Dustin Bond, Ric McFadden, Connor George, Cadence McFadden

“One of the advantages of directing the first show is that you get to have the main stage for your entire rehearsal process,” said Shelly. “I love the Rehearsal Center, but it is fun to have the Barn to yourself for a few weeks.”

Director Shelly McFadden dropped her mask briefly to take a selfie with the crew.

The second production Pillow Talk with director Andrew Ranck will begin its process in the Rehearsal Center early in June.

Shelly and husband Ric – who is the set designer & construction captain for the show – got their crew together earlier this week for some preliminary stage work. Also on hand were Dustin Bond, Connor George, Noah Pettit, and Caydence McFadden.

Noah Pettit

Dustin Bond

Board members are watching the news and following the Pandemic News and Restrictions closely as spring approaches. Final decisions about auditions, performances, and tickets will be announced as they are made in accordance with state guidelines.

You can read about the scheduled audition dates for Hunchback of Notre Dame HERE.

Additional show information and Director’s Notes for all productions will be posted in February!!