June 10, 1977

The Courier-Times

County’s First Summer Theater Opens July 12 in Memorial Park

           Henry County’s first summer theater—Summer Theater in the Par—will open its season July 12 in Memorial Park Shelter House with the delightful musical, “Two by Two,” a retelling of Noah and his Ark written by Richard Rodgers, Peter Stone and Martin Charnin.

                Sponsored by Raintree County Opera House Guild, Inc., the theater will present productions Tuesday through Saturday evenings July 12 through Aug. 13.

                Eight permanent members will lead the company.  However, parts are available in several productions.  Auditions for non-company roles are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in the Shelter House at Memorial Park from 7 to 10 p.m.   Additional information may be obtained from the director, Dick Willis, or the music director, Della Mae Tronchuk.

                The Raintree County Opera House Guild, Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to acquiring, restoring and operating the Guyer Opera House in Lewisville .  Although the Guild has acquired the building, the Opera House is not ready to open this summer and so, the first season will be in Memorial Park Shelter House.

                Summer Theater in the Park will feature a format called alternating repertory.  Five plays will be staged in the round in five weeks, but the plays are staggered over the season so that patrons may vacation and still see each of the shows.

                “Two by Two” the opening musical, will be repeated July 13, 16, 29, and Aug. 11.

                The second show, Neil Simon’s blockbuster comedy, “The Star Spangled Girl,” will be July 14, 15, 23, Aug 2 and 10.  It is built on the classic romantic triangle and involves two young men who publish a protest magazine and the hysterical results that happen when an All American girl from the Olympic swimming team moves next door.

                The third show, “The Prince From Pendlepoop,” written by Dick Willis and Sherrie Burke, will be July 19, 20, 23, Aug. 6 and 12.  The original musical was first produced in 1960 at Indiana State University and revived in 1970.  A popular hit in both of its productions, the show spoofs the college musicals of the 1920s and, in particular, the operetta, “The Student Prince.”

                N. Richard Nash’s bittersweet comedy, “The Rainmaker,” will be presented July 21, 22, 30, and Aug. 3 and 9.  “The Rainmaker” was made into a motion picture starring Katherine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster and tells the story of a con man and the family to which he brings rain and romance.

                The last show, July 26, 27, Aug. 4, 5, and 13, is a musical called, “Goldilocks,” which has nothing at all to do with the three bears.  The show was written by Walter and Jean Kerr with Leroy Anderson providing the musical score.  “Goldilocks” is a very funny show that deals with the early, early days of silent movie making.  The show never has gained the popularity it deserves because it is so rarely done.  A production directed by Dick Willis at the Indiana State University Summer Theater in 1969 was voted the most popular production of that company’s first 10 seasons.

                Season tickets now are on sale and may be ordered from The Raintree County Opera House Guild, Inc., Box 117 , Lewisville , IN 47352 .  Single admissions also will be available.