Author: Jack Earles

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!”

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.

Thanks to everyone for your support this season.

This production is sponsored by:

The 63^rd 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 being sponsored by Watchman Roofing.

The play is directed by Jack Randall Earles.  Assistant director is Sandi Rossok.

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).

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).

Charlie’s estranged family includes his mother Rose (Natalee Hessler), his father Matt (Dale Grove), and his sister, Norma (Courtney Slough).

Charlie at times also remembers his own life and imagines himself at younger ages – Little Charlie (Colton Hessler) and teen Charlie (Joey Draper).

The memories also include his sister Norma at a young age (Hannah Jernagan).

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.

Many of the actors also play several roles in the play.

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.

Stage managers are Cameron Wunderlich and Brandon Wunderlich.  Lydia Grove is on the stage crew.

Sound board operator is Buehler and the light board operators are Tucker Elmore and Jakob Segar.

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.

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