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July 5, 1977
The
Courier-Times Willis-Tronchuk Team to Direct Summer Theater in the Park
The five plays to be presented in alternating repertory through Aug. 13
will be directed by Dick Willis with Della Mae Tronchuk directing the music for
the three musicals on the bill.
The team of Tronchuk and Willis has worked together rather steadily and
successfully since 1965 and the twosome is responsible for some of the most
successful productions in the area.
As directors for Frist Nighters, Inc., they have been responsible for
“Fiddler on the Roof,” “I Do, I Do,” and “Little Mary Sunshine.”
Individually, they have directed “The Sound of Music,” “Fanny,”
“Two by Two,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Bus Stop,” “The Star Spangled
Girl,” and “1776.”
Most recently, the team compiled, directed and staged the successful
Irving Berlin Revue, “On With the Show,” for First Nighter Fini Awards
Night.
While both were teaching at Chrysler High School, Tronchuk and Willis
presented “Brigadoon,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “High Button Shoes,” “Half
a Sixpence,” and “Lil Abner.” They
were responsible also for staging the two productions of the Christmas opera
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” in New Castle Fieldhouse.
They have written book, music and lyrics for two of the Children’s
Theater shows sponsored by Tri Kappa Sorority in New Castle—“Baker’s
Dozen” and “The Danish Pastry Show.” They
also initiated the children’s theater tour of
Miss Tronchuk received a B.Ph. degree from
Last summer, Tronchuk was a member of the Saratoga-Potsdam Chorus and
performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Ormandy.
She has studied contemporary music with Gregg Smith and conducting with
Brock McElheran.
Willis has directed over 75 major productions for such groups as Chrysler
High School, First Nighters, Inc., Indiana State University Sycamore Players,
and Indiana State University Summer Theater.
He has won awards as best actor three times for performances in First
Nighters productions and received the best actor award for his performance as
Dr. Faustus in 1970 at
His productions of “Goldilocks” and “Half a Sixpence” were voted
the two most popular productions of the first 10 years of ISU Summer Theater,
and his productions of “The Sound of Music” and “Fiddler on the Roof,”
with Tronchuk, hold the all-time attendance records for First Nighter, Inc.
Willis also has served as set designer, costumer, publicity director, and
actor with such theater groups as Wagon Wheel Playhouse in
Summer Theater in the Park is a long-time dream for Willis and Tronchuk.
During the summer of 1967 they produced a successful performance of
“Plain and Fancy” in Chrysler High School Girls Gym.
About their relationship, Willis says:
“We have worked on so many shows together that we have gained a respect
for each others’ talents and personalities.
We are in complete agreement on the way a show goes together.
Actually, we have been doing shows together for so many years, we are
beginning to feel like an institution.”
The “institution” will show the first effort, “Two by Two,” as
the opening production of Summer Theater in the Park on July 12.
Following will be “The Star Spangled Girl,” “The Prince From
Pendlepoop,” “The Rainmaker” and “Goldilocks.”
Ticket information may be received by writing Raintree County Opera House
Guild, Inc., |
