May 24, 1978

The Courier-Times

“Theater in the Park” 2^nd Season Planned

by Cathy Craig

                With the announcement “Five more shows for 1978!” the Raintree County Opera House Guild, Inc., has begun its sponsorship drive for Theater in the Park

                With Dick Willis, director, and Della Mae Tronchuk, in charge of music, the guild is preparing for an already anxiously awaited second season.

                Again this year, five productions will be presented in alternating repertory in the Shelter House of Henry County Memorial Park, running from July 5 through Aug. 12.

                Among the shows being considered for production is “Ben Franklin in Paris ,” a charming musical extravaganza that concerns the great man’s attempts to win French aid for a very young America .

                Also under consideration is “Seventeen,” a musical based on the novel by Booth Tarkington, the gentleman from Indiana .  The summery, picnicky, walzy story deals with young love, phosphates and turn of the century innocence.

                “My Three Angels” is a possibility.  It is a comedy built around the antics of three Devil’s Island convicts who join a family for the Christmas holidays.  Family problems are solved by the trio in unorthodox, though hilarious fashion.

                For variety entertainment, “On With the Show,” a musical revue compiled by Dick Willis and Della Mae Tronchuk, is being scrutinized.  The revue pays tribute to the master of American popular music, Irving Berlin.

                William Shakespeare may be represented, and appropriately so for summer theater, if  “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is chosen.  The lyrical and lovely comedy of young love, mistaken identity and home-spun theatricals is a delight of color and fantasy.

                Two more musicals are candidates.  They are “Half a Six-Pence,” based on H. G. Wells’ novel Kipps, and “Little Mary Sunshine,” a gentle spoof of the Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy style operetta.

                This season’s company will include performers familiar to the community as well as others recruited from all over the state.  Among the new faces is Darlene Druly from Earlham College .  Darlene has extensive musical comedy and opera background.  She has performed in such shows as “Three Penny Opera,” “Showboat,” “Camelot,” “Hello Dolly,” “Carousel” and in “The Marriage of Figaro.”  Companies she has performed with include the Richmond Civic Theater, Footlight Musicals in Indianapolis , John Conner Players in Connersville , Steamboat Cabin Theater in Jeffersonville , and Whitewater Opera Company in Richmond .

                Patricia Allen also hosts a musical comedy and opera background.  A doctoral student in voice at Ball State University , she has performed with the Central City Opera Company ( Colorado ) in productions of “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Carmen” and “Die Fiedermaus.”

                Robert E. Lee, on the music faculty at Miami University , also is a newcomer.  He is a graduate of Northwestern University and holds a graduate degree in opera from the University of Southern Illinois . 

                The performance background of John McCammon, a junior majoring in English at Wabash College, included the lead role in “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail” and a secondary part in “Dames at Sea.”

                Originally from Cambridge City , Julie LeHunt joins the Opera Guild Company from Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wis.   Her credits include “Fiddler on the Roof,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” “Li’l Abner” and “M.A.S.H.”

                New to Summer Theater, though not to our community, are three cast members.  Chris Barr, a graduate from Purdue in business, is remembered here for his portrayal of Henry Thoreau in “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail” in the Chrysler High School production.

                Becky Imel, recently drama director at Tri High School , will lend her talents.  Versatile in the many facets of show production, she is known for her performances in “Barefoot in the Park,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Brigadoon” and “West Side Story.”

                Greg Easter also joins the cast.  One of New Castle ’s star debaters a few years ago, Greg is active in debate at Butler University now.  He shows great promise as an actor, singer and dancer as well and is remembered for roles in Chrysler High School productions of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Jabberwock,” and “Irene.”

                Proceeds from the current sponsorship drive by the Opera House enables it to pay minimal salaries to company members.  A wide range of sponsorships are available and recognition is given sponsors in program notes.  Theater in the park patrons are provided an advertising outlet while making a tax deductible contribution to the fine arts in our community.

                For questions or information, contact Dick Willis at 987-7896, Della Mae Tronchuk at 529-0714, or write the Raintree County Opera House Guild, Inc., Box 117 , Lewisville .