Beat the Drums! Here Comes “Thoroughly Modern Millie” Now!

Back row: Ashlee Vitz, David Wells, Annie Weltz, Joe Fields, Alixandra Green,
Kenneth Lee Buchanan, Meghan Armitage, Dustin Bond, Jalin Burnette.
Front row: Sarah Bond, Joe Lippard, Katie Hedge, T.J. Tincher, Lori Briones.
Click to enlarge the photo.

Thoroughly Modern Millie is now in performance at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre – August 9-11 and August 15-18.

The Tony-Award winning musical is based on the 1967 movie that starred Julie Andrews.

See what made the 20’s roar!

Call the box office Monday-Saturday for reservations.  Box office hours are 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  All tickets are $10, and all performances are at 8 p.m.

Corporate sponsor for Thoroughly Modern Millie is First National Bank.

“Thoroughly Modern Millie” Opens!!

Jimmy (Dustin Bond) and Millie
(Meghan Armitage) take their romance
to new heights in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

Thoroughly Modern Millie, the Tony-Award-Winning musical will be presented by Putnam County Playhouse August 9-11 and August 15-18. All performances will be at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre and will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling the box office at 765-653-5880. Box office hours are Monday-Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Corporate sponsor for the show is First National Bank.
Click HERE to read more about our sponsor.

Director Shelly McFadden is joined on the production side by choreographers Lita Sandy and Lori Briones; musical director, Lori Miller; and scenic designer, Linda Gjesvold.
Based on the 1967 Julie Andrews film, Thoroughly Modern Millie has new music by Jeanine Tesori, new lyrics by Dick Scanlon, and a book by Scanlon and Richard Morris.
Meghan Armitage leads the cast in the role of Millie Dillmount, a young girl who comes to New York City to find a job and husband, though not necessarily in that order. She lands a job first – at the Sincere Trust Company run by Trevor Graydon (Kenneth Lee Buchanan) and immediately sets her cap for the boss, until she gets distracted by Jimmy Smith (Dustin Bond). Graydon himself is attracted to Millie’s mysterious friend, Miss Dorothy (Mira Hoffman).
Add a crafty landlady (Katie Wallace) and her two minions (Cameron Callan & Alex Asbell), and Muzzy, a millionairess (Ashlee Vitz), and the complications, dances, and songs are fast and furious.
Songs in the stage version include “Forget About the Boy”, “Gimme Gimme”, and “Only In New York”, and the title tune.
In supporting roles are Annie Weltz, Alix Green, Sarah Bond, Elise Merrill, Katie Hedge, Jalin Burnette, Sydney Cassida, Eleanor Howard, Miller and Briones.
Also appearing are David Wells, Joe Lippard, Ric McFadden, Jack Randall Earles, Joe Fields, and T.J. Tincher.
The orchestra under the direction of pianist Marilyn Burdsall includes Michael McClaine, drums and percussion; Drew Brattain, bass; and Marcia Boswell, flute/piccolo.
Costuming is by Diana VanMiddlesworth and Patricia Armitage. Jessica Masner is production stage manager. Jim & Melissa Green are running the sound and lights.

Children’s Theatre Workshop Continues!

Assistant T.J. Tincher works on stage movement
with some of the CTW participants.

Each morning this week, the Hazel Day Longden Theatre is home to the annual Children’s Theatre Workshop.  From 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Caroline Good and  her assistants work with youngsters ages 8-11.

The participants learn basic theatre vocabulary, basic acting technique, movement, and voice for stage among other activities.

The workshop will culminate in a work-in-progress presentation on Saturday, July 28, at 11 a.m.  The public is invited, and the presentation is free.

Included in the presentation will be excerpts from two plays – “Snow What?” by Susannah Howard and “Robin Hood” by Charlie Good – and dramatizations of two Dr. Seuss and poems by Shel Silverstein.

The workshop is sponsored by Duke Energy Foundation.

“The Curious Savage” Opens on July 12!!!

L-R – Alixandra Green, Bethany Bax, Sandra Rossok in rehearsal.

The Putnam County Playhouse production of The Curious Savage a comedy by John Patrick will be presented July 12-14 and July 18-21.  All performances are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by telephoning the box office at 765-853-5880 after 5 p.m. beginning Monday,  July 9.

Directed by Jack Randall Earles, The Curious Savage tells the story of Ethel Savage (Bethany Bax) whose late husband has left her ten million dollars. She is in the process of spending it all to help those less fortunate than herself, when her three stepchildren (Kathryn Dory, Don Collins, Clarence Long) decide to have her committed to a sanitarium to prevent her from spending their inheritance.

While living at The Cloisters, Ethel becomes involved in the lives of the residents there. Florence (Tammy Hunter), Fairy May (Alixandra Green), Mrs. Paddy (Sandra Rossok), Hannibal (Don Wilson), and Jeffrey (Kenneth Lee Buchanan) who are all there for treatment. Helping them along are Dr. Emmett (Jim Rambo) and Miss Wilhelmina (Shalynn Branscum).

Mrs. Savage foils the plans of her stepchildren and makes positive changes in her own life and in the lives of those around her

Bethany Bax last appeared here as Ruth in Blithe Spirit. In addition to her many appearances on our stage, she has directed shows including Barefoot in the Park and To Kill a Mockingbird. Kathryn Dory played a leading role in Nunsense. She has also been musical director for productions including The Sound of Music.

Don Collins appeared last season in Don’t Drink the Water. He played Willie Clark in The Sunshine Boys and was also in All My Sons among others. Clarence Long has appeared in Kiss Me Kate, Cheaper By the Dozen, and Arsenic and Old Lace.

Tammy Hunter played Marion Hollander in Don’t Drink the Water and has also appeared in Never Too Late, Footloose, and Kiss Me Kate. Jim Rambo directed Don’t Drink the Water and has appeared in many productions including On Borrowed Time and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Alixandra Green has appeared in many musicals including Camelot and Singin’ In the Rain. Sandra Rossok has been many productions, most recently Don’t Drink the Water and Arsenic and Old Lace.
She is also the assistant director for this production.

Don Wilson most recently appeared in The Music Man and Don’t Drink the Water. He was also in Man of La Mancha and Blithe Spirit. Kenneth Lee Buchanan appeared last season as Lancelot in Camelot. He was also in The Music Man, Kiss Me Kate, and Never Too Late. Shalynn Branscum previously appeared at PCPH in Never Too Late.

T.J. Tincher is stage manager for the production. Jim and Melissa Green are working on the technical side of the show. Linda Gjesvold designed the set. Ben Fisher is assistant stage manager and Rossok handled the costuming for the show. Special thanks is given to Harris Weltz.



“The Curious Savage” is sponsored by Rossok & Co. Insurance and Pekin Insurance.

Click HERE to read more about our Sponsor!!

Children’s Theatre Workshop in July!!



The Children’s Theatre Workshop is back!  The workshop for children ages 8-11 will be held daily 
July 23rd-27th 10:00-11:30am, with a culminating “work in progress” performance on Saturday, July 28th at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre. 

Bringing to young people the love of theatre, providing them a venue to explore their creativity, and allowing them to collaborate and express themselves on stage is the mission of the Children’s Theatre Workshop.  In addition to learning basic theatre vocabulary, the kids will be given instruction in basic acting technique, movement and voice for the stage, character development, and how to work with an ensemble.   The kids will then apply these skills through theatre games and as they rehearse a short play.

To fill out an online application for the workshop, click on the Current Season tab above, and then click on the Youth Theatre tab.  

SHAKESPEARED! on SATURDAY!!

The Shakepeared! production of The Tempest will be Saturday, June 30, at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available only at the door.  Admission is $3 for those 12 years old and up.  Admission is free to those under 12 years old.  Tickets are general admission.

First up will be the middle school group directed by Alisa Isaacs-Bailey. Featured in this version of The Tempest are Hannah Williams, Chloe Bodnarick, Djasi Falcon, Addison Hughes, Joe Hettinger, and Ben Gellman.

Appearing in other roles are Simon Foss, David Maginity, Emma Newton, Lindsey Bridgewater, Jon DeHaan, Corinne Buchanan, and Liam Guinee.

Rounding out the cast in the middle school group are Jakob Foss, Zander Williams, Emma Huber, Shianna Alexander, Zoe Wilson, Tyler Hopper, Mackenzie Wilson, and Madi Woodall.

Assistant Director for this group is Bethany Bax.  Working on the technical side are Lauren Good, Jacob Bax, and Cecily Bax.

After a fifteen-minute intermission, the high school group directed by Caroline Good (who adapted both scripts from Shakespeare’s text) will take the stage with Tempest in Paradise. Actors in this group include Ethan Gill, Dominique Lafontant, Hannah Gellman, Logan Beck, Cody Warren, Joe Pejril, Lukas Eckrich, and Dylan Bodnarick.

Appearing with them will be Joe Lippard, Abby Cheek, Madi Egold, Mary Pearl Ivy, Chloe Maginity, Abbie Harms, Sammy Batchelor, and Libby Brush.

Completing the cast are Mary Allen, Ciara Lippard, Caleb Guthrie, Elise Merrell, Corrinne Trigg, and Fiona Good.

Assistant Director for the second group is TJ Tincher. Choreography is by Heather Owens. Technical assistance is by Lauren Good and Jessica Maginity. Island Jewelry is by Jessica Masner.

Sponsored by Duke Energy Foundation.

SHAKESPEARED! in rehearsal!

CLUE: THE MUSICAL OPENS THURSDAY, JUNE 7!!

The 51st season of Putnam County Playhouse will open on June 7 with Clue: The Musical! It will be presented June 7-9 and again June 13-16. All performances are at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $10 each, and reservations can be made by calling the Box Office between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday beginning June 4!
Clue: The Musical is based on the popular Parker Brothers board game. You as an audience member will get to play along. The suspect, weapon, and location of the crime are chosen by audience members and then placed in an envelope. How the cast performs the songs and enacts the scenes depends on the cards chosen. Every performance will be different. There are a total of 216 possible conclusions!
Ric McFadden is stage and musical director for the show. Marilyn Burdsall is pit conductor and pianist. Also in the pit are Michael McClaine on percussion and Lynne Tweedie on keyboard.
All of the familiar board game characters – and a couple of new ones – are portrayed in the show. We first meet Mr. Boddy (Dustin Bond) in his mansion and learn that he fears for his life. Among the suspects are Mrs. White (Jodi Green Wingler), Mr. Green (Pshemo Grajewski), Mrs. Peacock (Shelly Green McFadden), Colonel Mustard (Dan Stockton), Miss Scarlett (Meghan Armitage), and Professor Plum (T.J. Tincher).
Mr. Boddy is joined in his search for the killer by The Detective (Caroline Good).
Songs in the show include “The Game”, “Deduction Seduction”, “Don’t Blame Me”. and “Everyday Devices.” Clue: The Musical has a book by Peter DePietro and lyrics by Tom Chiodo. Music is by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker, and Vinnie Martucci. The show ran Off-Broadway at the Players Theatre after its world premiere in Baltimore and a run in Chicago.
The corporate sponsor for Clue: The Musical is Duke Energy Foundation.
Click HERE to read more about our sponsor!
Special set painting is by Linda Gjesvold. Production stage manager is Jessica Masner. Costumer for the show is Sarah Bond.
The soundboard is handled by Jim Green, and Melissa Green is running the lightboard.
Enjoy this coming attraction preview of Clue: The Musical.

“Clue: The Musical” Tickets On Sale June 3!!!

Tickets for Clue: The Musical, the first show of our 51st season will go on sale at the PCPH Open House.
The Open House will be at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre on Sunday, June 3, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.  The public is invited to this free event.
Single session tickets for all four shows of the season will first be available at that time.  Season tickets can also be purchased during the Open House.  Single tickets are $10, and Season Tickets are $35.
Mainstage productions for our season are:
Clue: The Musical – June 7-9 & June 13-16
Shakespeared! Youth Theatre Workshop Performance June 30 – 7 p.m.
 (Not a Season Ticket Event)
The Curious Savage – July 12-14 & July 18-21
Children’s Theatre Workshop Date TBA (Not a Season Ticket Event)
Thoroughly Modern Millie – August 9-11 & August 15-18
See How They Run – Sept. 13-15 & Sept. 19-22