Author: Jack Earles

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.