Dale Grove as Marryin’ Sam

Al Capp’s famous characters will come to life onstage in the Clay County Community Theatre’s production of the rollicking musical Li’L Abner. Many of the performers and staff are PCPH regulars.  The show will be produced March 8, 9, and 10. Tickets must be reserved by March 4.  Ticket information can be found HERE.

On Tuesday morning, January 23, at 2:04 a.m. a Putnam County driver got the surprise of his life.  On a clandestine trip back to the property for reasons of his own, he encountered our locked gate. Perhaps he didn’t realize that season tickets are not on sale yet – or he wanted to check on the condition of the lawn – or……….???

The damage pictured above seems to show that he was traveling at a fairly good speed in his mid-size pick-up truck. 

The gate itself was pulled off its hinges on the post on the left.

The post on the right was nearly pulled out of the ground, and the two rails were broken.  Soon after encountering the gate, the driver changed his mind about whatever he was trespassing on our property to do, turned around and fled.

He obviously disregarded this sign:

A check for this amount, or an “anonymous” donation for the repair from someone with a lot of hood damage would be appreciated.

And just a reminder – this is private property. When there is NO official Putnam County Playhouse activity going on, no one is allowed on the premises.  No dog walking, no jogging, no looking for Pokemon Go creatures, and no hand holding should be going on.  

If we’re here – you are welcome.  If we’re not – well….SMILE! We have you on camera!

Dustin Bond (in blue) and Ric McFadden

Dustin Bond, chairperson of the Tech/Shop Committee and Ric McFadden director of last season’s musicals Curtains and The Addams Family were among those present. Ric also serves on the Maintenance and House Committees. Dustin also serves on the Maintenance and Promotions/Web Page Committees. He is also 2nd Vice President of the Board.

The 2018 Putnam County Playhouse Fall Fund Drive is now underway.  The Fund Drive Letters are in the mail, and you should be receiving yours in the next few days.

You are an important part of Putnam County Playhouse. Ticket sales fund only a portion of our expenses each season. Your donations help us pay for maintaining our facilities, updating and technical equipment, and paying the royalties for our productions.

No person is paid for his participation in our productions. Our board members serve in a volunteer capacity.  

There are several categories of membership to choose from.  For donating during our Fall Fund Drive, your name (or the name you choose) or your business name will appear in each and every program for all of our mainstage shows. 

If you don’t receive your Fund Drive Letter, or if you are not on our mailing list, you can click HERE to find a Donation Form in PDF form that can be downloaded and printed out.

Thank you so much for your continued support of PCPH. You make it possible for us to do what we do. Without you, we couldn’t continue to operate.

During the off season, much work is done to maintain our facility. This year the board has begun the “Decks & Doors Project.”

First up was enclosing the deck directly behind the stage.  By putting on the roof and walls, it can more efficiently be used for prop storage during a production, freeing space behind the proscenium.  The new stairs will also make it possible for actors and crew members to utilize it as “waiting” space.

The small deck outside the back door of the Rehearsal Center also underwent some renovation.  It now has safety rails.  This small deck is used by the actors and others for “fresh air” breaks during productions and rehearsals.

Most recognizable to audience members is the porch and staircase outside the southeast exit from the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. A new roof over the porch area and new steps were added during the project.  Actors often make entrances from this door, and the roof will keep them dry during rainstorms. Audiences will also be able to enjoy a few minutes of fresh air before the performance or during intermission even during rainstorms.

As we wish the barn a happy 100th birthday in 2018, we look forward to seeing you during our Season of Hits!

Jim Poor at the Heritage Wall in 2011 when the PCPH Plaque was installed.

Jim in “Sabrina Fair.”

Jim and some cast members in “The Sound of Music”

One of his first directing assignments was the musical The Sound of Music.  When Jim recognized that there were many more children wanting to be in the show than he had parts for, he began his series of Children’s Productions.  These would include Pinocchio, The Wizard of Oz, and Peter Pan and many others.

Jim (left) as Luther Billis in “South Pacific.”

One of Jim’s most famous portrayals onstage was as Luther Billis in South Pacific, a role he played twice.  He also played The King in The King and I three times and Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady twice.

Jim standing on the south side of what is now the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

For the first two seasons on the property, shows were produced on an outdoor stage.  The audience sat on bleachers.  Only one show in all of 32 performances during those two years (1981, 1982) was rained out.  Jim directed several of those productions including You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Pinocchio and Mary, Mary.