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!
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!!
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.
The late Alan Backler and Anna Harris filming in the barn.
Filming was done at locations around the county and at the home of the Putnam County Playhouse – inside the barn and out.
Jack Randall Earles & TJ Tincher & Crew.
Some scenes were filmed at DePauw University.
Filming onstage!
You’ll see many familiar faces from PCPH onscreen! Join us.
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!
President Shelly McFadden & Secretary-Asst. Treasurer Kathryn Dory
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.
Caroline Good & Brad Sandy
Committee chairpersons gave reports on their activities during the season.
Mark Hammer and the Hammy
Treasurer Mark Hammer brought the Upstage Award that would be given out at the end of the meeting.
L-R: Cameron Wunderlich, Anna Harris, Linda Gjesvold, Marc Adams, Ric McFadden
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.
Hammy nominees Tara Smith, Karen K. Temple (winner), and John Reach. Kate Baughman was unable to attend.
Three of the four Upstage Award nominees were present. The winner was Karen K. Temple for her roles in Flowers For Algernon.
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.
Award from 2017!
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:
Kate Baughman as Gertie Cummins
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!”
Tara Smith as the German Pretzel Girl
From The Pink PantherStrikes 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! “
John Reach as Robin
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!”
Karen K. Temple (with Dustin Bond) as Mrs. Mooney.
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!”
Flowers For Algernon the final production of the 63rd season of Putnam County Playhouse will be onstage Wednesday-Saturday, September 18-21. All performances begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 each and can be reserved by telephone the box office from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Tickets are also available at the door. There are no online sales.
If you are a season ticket holder and are not able to use your tickets, please pass them along to a friend or neighbor.
The 63rd season of the Putnam County Playhouse will come to a close with a production of Flowers For Algernon. It will be presented September 12-14 and 18-21. All performances are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be reserved only at the box office by calling 765-653-5880 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday–Saturday.
The play is directed by Jack Randall Earles. Assistant director is Sandi Rossok.
Corben Kirton & Dustin Bond
Dustin Bond plays the leading role of Charlie Gordon, a special needs adult who is chosen to be the subject of a scientific experiment. During the course of the experiment, he befriends a young teacher Alice Kinnian (Anna Harris).
Dustin Boothby, Ally Taylor, Cameron Wunderlich, Karen K. Temple
The experiment is conducted by Dr. Strauss (Bart Jones) and Professor Nemur (Ric McFadden) who each has his own motives for its success. They are aided by a lab technician Burt (Corben Kirton).
Dustin Bond and Bart Jones
Charlie’s estranged family includes his mother Rose (Natalee Hessler), his father Matt (Dale Grove), and his sister, Norma (Courtney Slough).
Dustin Bone and Joey Draper
Charlie at times also remembers his own life and imagines himself at younger ages – Little Charlie (Colton Hessler) and teen Charlie (Joey Draper).
Natalee Hessler, Colton Hessler, Dale Grove
The memories also include his sister Norma at a young age (Hannah Jernagan).
Hannah Jernagan, Dale Grove
Karen K. Temple plays the owner of the bakery where Charlie works and his New York City landlady. His co-workers are played by Cameron Wunderlich, Ally Taylor, Shyanne Scott, and Dustin Boothby. Grace Buehler also appears in two supporting roles.
Dustin Bond and Anna Harris
Many of the actors also play several roles in the play.
Courtney Slough & Dustin Bond
Set design and painting are by Harris and Linda Gjesvold. Lighting design is by Bond. Sound design is by Earles with EQ by Ben South. Costumes are by Shelly McFadden.
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.
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.
