A “DREAM” CAN COME TRUE!!!

When Putnam County Playhouse found it necessary to cancel its 2020 onstage season, a lot of local thespians were left without an outlet for their talents.  When it finally became clear in July that the Hazel Day Longden Theatre would see NO activity during the summer [for the first time since it opened in 1983], a few of them took matters into their own hands and decided to honor theatre, Shakespeare, and the arts.  They got together [wearing masks and practicing social distancing] to produce their own SHAKESPEARE AL FRESCO production of the Bard’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

L-R: Noah Pettit & Sarah Armitage at rehearsal.

And now you can see the result of their hard work.  

L-R: Alisa Isaacs-Bailey, Andrew Ranck, Jay Prewitt, Eleanor Howard, Ric McFadden


Live theatre returns to Putnam County for two evenings, when these acolytes of the Bard bring their version of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream to the Robe-Ann Park facility. Performances will be September 25 and 26 at 7 p.m.  Admission is free.

The production is sponsored by Bittles & Hurt and Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home.


Click HERE to read about our sponsor,


Click HERE to read about our sponsor.


Special consideration was also provided by the Greencastle Parks Department and Andrew Ranck.

Attendance is limited by state mandates to 250 persons. The organizers ask that those planning to attend practice social distancing and wear masks for the safety of everyone.  Audience members can bring a blanket or lawn chairs for seating.

L-R: Devin Huff, Chris Wurster, Noah Pettit

The production is a condensed modern version of the classic that was adapted by Caroline Good who also serves as co-director along with Shelly McFadden [they have blocked the production to keep the actors at the proper distance from each other – some photos for this story were staged briefly without masks].  Assistant directors are Andrew Ranck and Beth Bax.  Technical director is Dustin Bond. The light operator is Grace Elmore and the sound operator is Fiona Good. Props master is Noah Pettit.

L-R: Ric McFadden, Beth Bax, Alisa Isaacs-Bailey, Tim Good

The plot of the play hinges on Theseus (Chris Wurster) who wants to celebrate his wedding to Hippolyta (C. Good).  A lover’s triangle of Hermia (Sarah Armitage), Lysander (Noah Pettit), and Demetrius (Devin Huff) complicate matters further.

L-R: Karen Temple, Ashlee Anne Vitz, Suzanne Funk, Ellie Henry


Confusion reigns when the magical Oberon (Joshua Saul Bain) and his wife Titania (Ashlee Anne Vitz) decide to use their mystical powers to confuse and confound the mortals.  They are helped in their endeavors by Puck (Andrew Ranck) and his cohorts Peaseblossom (Alice Howard), Cobweb (Karen Temple), Moonshine (Beth Bax), the Changeling Boy (Mike Henry) and Moth (Suzanne Funk) and Mustardseed (Ellie Henry).

L-R: Devin Huff, Andrew Ranck, Noah Pettit


Among those who find themselves enchanted are a group of craftsmen who are hired to make sure all goes well at the wedding including Bottom (Ric McFadden), Flute (Jay Prewitt), Quince (Alisa Isaacs-Bailey), Snout (Eleanor Howard), and Snug (Tim Good).

Tim Good.

Others involved in the antics are Helena (Michaela Semak),  Philostrate (S. McFadden), and Hermia’s father Egeus (Bond).

L-R: [Front] Ashlee Anne Vitz, Alice Howard, Ellie Henry, Mike Henry
 [Back] Karen Temple, Suzanne Funk


Costumes and settings were designed by the cast and staff. 

Ric McFadden

“The eye of man hath not heard, the ear of man
hath not seen, man’s hand is not able to taste, his
tongue to conceive, nor his heart to report what my
dream was.” Nick Bottom.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a Putnam County Playhouse Project.

 

GETTING TO KNOW RIC McFADDEN!

 

“Conversations With Jack” Episode 14 is now available.

We interview board member Ric McFadden.

To watch the episode click HERE.

Also watch us at 7 p.m. Mon-Fri. on Local Access Channel 3.

See all episodes Sat & Sun on Local Access Channel 3 at 3 p.m.
Sponsored by:
To learn more about our sponsor, click HERE.
You can also watch all of the episodes HERE.

Getting to Know Brad Sandy!

Episode 13 of “Conversations With Jack” is now available.

Our interview this week is with PCPH Board Member

Brad Sandy!

To see the episode click HERE.

Also watch us Mon -Fri at 7 p.m. on local access Channel 3!

OR on Saturday & Sunday at 3 p.m. on Channel 3!

Getting To Know Mark Hammer!

“Conversations With Jack” Episode 12.

We’re getting to know Mark Hammer.

To watch, click HERE!
Also watch Mon-Fri at 7 p.m. on
Local Access Channel 3!

Watch ALL episodes Sat & Sun at 3 p.m.
on Local Access Channel 3.

If you’ve missed an episode or want to watch one again.

Click HERE.

PCPH PARK PROJECT: SHAKESPEARE al fresco….

During the plague, Shakespeare and his actors went out on the road to perform in the countryside. In that spirit during our own similar situation, a troupe of actors from the Putnam County Playhouse venture to the park to perform his work as a way of providing continuity in our mission to community theatre in this “goode yeare” of 2020.
To that end, our Shakespearean guru Caroline Good and dogsbody Shelly Green McFadden will endeavor to present a production of the rollicking comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the band shell in Robe-Ann Park.  It will be presented at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26.
Putnam County Playhouse Park Project: SHAKESPEARE al fresco is being sponsored by:
Read about our sponsor HERE.
AND
Read about our sponsor HERE.
LET IT THEREFORE BE KNOWN:

Audition Call for A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream is on Wednesday, August 19th at 7-9 p.m. at the Putnam County Playhouse, Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

AND FURTHER LET IT BE KNOWN:
All current COVID-19 Precautions will be observed during auditions & rehearsals.
Wear a mask! We will be asking everyone to physical distance during the auditions (and rehearsals) as well as providing a lot of air circulation.
To read the script click HERE.
Since the world situation is constantly changing, all activities are dependent upon CURRENT CONDITIONS, and may change at any time:
“And yet, to say the truth, reason and love keep little company together nowadays….”

Additional  support provided by: