DEL.ICIO.USFor the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/18/08
One is marking its 50th anniversary with hoop skirts and a reunion rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home," and one is celebrating 70 years with the regional premiere of the tale of everybody's favorite chocolatier. One is debuting a new work with ties to Charles Dickens, and another is bringing Abraham Lincoln to the stage.
The eight outdoor theaters that make up the Kentucky Summer Theatre Trail are a thriving group of performance arts venues, each presenting a unique stage, setting and sensibility.
 Stephen Foster | ||
| The colorful antebellum costumes are a highlight of 'Stephen Foster: The Musical,' Kentucky's official outdoor songfest staged at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown. | ||
 Broadway At Iroquois | ||
| A production of 'Cinderella' unfolds at Broadway At Iroquois in Louisville. | ||
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From mid-June through August (in some cases, into September), the theaters offer a variety of experiences, from Kentucky legends taken from the pages of history to splashy Broadway musicals.
"There is no better way to spend a summer evening than watching a story unfold, framed by fireflies, spotlights and stars," says Holly Henson, artistic director at Pioneer Playhouse in Danville, a state historic landmark and Kentucky's oldest outdoor theater.
Stretching from Prestonsburg in the eastern part of the state to Gilbertsville in the western part, the venues are Jenny Wiley Theatre in Prestonburg, Kincaid Regional Theatre in Falmouth, Broadway at Iroquois in Louisville (formerly Music Theatre of Louisville), Pioneer Playhouse in Danville, "Stephen Foster: The Musical" in Bardstown, Kentucky Repertory Theatre in Horse Cave near Mammoth Cave, Pine Knob Theatre in Caneyville, and Twilight Cabaret Production in Gilbertsville.
Many of the theaters offer on-site dining, several have extended seasons at indoor venues, and all have something for everyone.
'Death by Darkness'
Among its summer productions, the Pioneer Playhouse is producing an original murder mystery called "Death by Darkness" that was written by a Kentucky author, inspired by Kentucky history and awarded "Best Play" at the first annual International Mystery Festival, held last year in Owensboro, Ky.
The premise of the play is based on the fact that, in 1842, Charles Dickens toured Mammoth Cave — yet never spoke of his visit to Kentucky or the cave to anyone. This play explains why and, being a murder mystery and all, involves homicide. Dickens' visit is fact; the rest, as they say, is showbiz.
"It's going to be a lot of fun as we re-create the Star Chamber of Mammoth Cave and take a spine-tingling look at the past," says Henson, who will appear in the Playhouse's production of the comedy "Cookin' With Gus" later in the season.
'The Wizard of Oz'
Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion will take to the stage for Jenny Wiley Theatre's production of "The Wizard of Oz." Located in Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg, the little mountain theater will also present "Little Red: Life in the Hood," "A Chorus Line" and, in the fall, "Frankenstein," which will be performed at the nearby Mountain Arts Center.
"Our playbill always includes an extravagant, family-oriented show and an equally lavish, big-time musical," says managing director Martin Childers.
'Stephen Foster: The Musical'
Kentucky's Official Outdoor Musical celebrates 50 years this summer: "Stephen Foster: The Musical" recalls the composer from Pittsburgh who gave the 15th state its poignant anthem ("My Old Kentucky Home") and America its first pop tune ("Oh! Susanna"). Other Foster favorites, including "Camptown Races" and "Beautiful Dreamer," are belted out in an 1850s setting by performers in delightfully vivid period costumes.
"On June 21, the anniversary date of our first opening night, we will hold a cast reunion for anyone who has ever performed or worked backstage at our show," says Johnny Warren, communications director of Stephen Foster Productions. "This reunion will feature a former-cast sing-along of the finale of our show. It will be a treat for our audience to see more than 150 cast members performing 'My Old Kentucky Home.' "
A number of anniversary-related events are planned, from parades to a commemorative beverage container made by Louisville Stoneware and commemorative paintings created by Bardstown artist Jim Cantrell. A citywide costume show, held May through August, will feature the world-famous antebellum costumes created by Bardstown costume designer Si Arnold and her team of seamstresses.
'Willy Wonka,' 'Cats'
Marking its 70th season is the Iroquois Amphitheater, which recently underwent a $9 million renovation and now holds audiences of 2,400, with half the seats arranged beneath a cantilevered roof.
Located in Iroquois Park in Louisville, it is home to Broadway at Iroquois, whose annual summer playbill is selected from Broadway musical theater favorites. This year's lineup includes perennial favorites "Cats," "The Wiz," "Mame" and, making its regional premiere, "Willy Wonka."
'Abraham Lincoln'
The 346-seat Kentucky Repertory Theatre at Horse Cave is celebrating the Lincoln Bicentennial, a commemoration that kicked off this year to mark the 200th anniversary of the 16th president's birth in 1809. Joining theater classics like Noel Coward's "Private Lives" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" are two productions focusing on Abraham Lincoln.
"We were awarded a grant by the Kentucky Arts Council, funded through the Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, to produce 'Abraham Lincoln' and 'With Malice Toward None,' " says Paul Glodfelter, associate artist and marketing/media coordinator.
"Abraham Lincoln," written by John Drinkwater, was performed on Broadway in the early 20th century and will take to the KRT stage in August. "With Malice Toward None" will begin touring in February 2009.
Nationally recognized for its quality performances of comedy, drama, classics and original Kentucky plays, the KRT is one of the few remaining rotating repertory theaters in the country and features a professional acting company.
'Big River'
The Kincaid Regional Theatre will spend the summer in Mississippi River and Grand Ole Opry country with its productions of "Big River," the classic story of Huck Finn and his adventures with his friend Jim, and "Pump Boys and Dinettes," a down-home comedy that high-steps through lots of country rock and pop music numbers.
'The Costume Ball'
Beginning its 41st year, the intimate Twilight Cabaret offers the comedy "The Costume Ball," a three-character play about mistaken identity making its Kentucky premiere. Charles Edward Hall, an actor and director known for his work at Radio City Music Hall, is the artistic director of the show, written by New York actor/playwright Norman Beim.
'Down in Hoodoo Holler'
The 22nd season of the Pine Knob Theatre in Caneyville features the audience favorite "Down in Hoodoo Holler" among its seven productions. New this season is Theatre Festival, a late-September afternoon of performances that includes three productions ("At the Hop," "Lucy and Ruth's Diner" and "Daddy Took the T-bird Away") for one admission price.
This theater is also known for its smorgasbord of dining options that includes a private train car for 12 guests and a backyard barbecue. Debuting this summer is Delilah's, a restaurant named after a character in the theater's production of "Dock Brown — Legend of an Outlaw." Featuring fish and steak dinners for $15 per person, the restaurant is decorated in the style of an old country store and has seating inside and on the front porch.
Take in all the shows
Each of the theaters has a unique stage presence, from the forested backdrops of Jenny Wiley Theatre and Stephen Foster to the city scrim of Music Theatre Louisville. The piecemeal architecture of the historic Pioneer Playhouse includes everything from World War II Army barracks to movie sets from Hollywood's golden era.
So grab a seat at every stop on the trail, sit back and enjoy.
IF YOU GO
Visit the Kentucky Summer Theatre Trail at www.kytheatretrail.com for information about the individual theaters on the trail, their summer productions and dinner theater dates.
• Broadway at Iroquois (formerly Music Theatre of Louisville), 502-498-2436, www.broadwayatiroquois.org. "Willy Wonka," June 13-15, 19-22; "Cats," July 11-13, 17-20; "The Wiz," Aug. 1-3, 7-10; "Mame," Sept. 5-7, 11-14.
• Jenny Wiley Theatre, 1-877-225-5598, www.jwtheatre.com. "Honky Tonk Angels," June 13-Aug. 13; "The Wizard of Oz," June 26-Aug. 16; "Little Red: Life in the Hood," June 21-Aug. 5; "A Chorus Line," July 11-Aug. 15; "Frankenstein," Oct. 15-24 (at the Mountain Arts Center); "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," Nov. 28-Dec. 6 (at the Pikeville High School Alumni Auditorium).
• Kentucky Repertory Theatre, 1-800-342-2177, www.kentuckyrep.org. "One Man's Lincoln," June 20-Aug. 2; Noel Coward's "Private Lives," June 27-Aug. 2; comedy (TBA), July 4-Aug. 3; "Abraham Lincoln" (from the play by John Drinkwater), Aug. 22-Nov. 1; "Cash on Delivery," Sept. 9-Nov. 16; "To Kill a Mockingbird," Oct. 3-Nov. 15; "Amadeus," Oct. 24-Nov. 15; Shakespeare's "King Lear," Nov. 21-Dec. 4; "Christmas Belles," Dec. 5-21.
• Kincaid Regional Theatre, 1-800-647-7469, www.krt.citymax.com. "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," June 14-July 19; "Pump Boys and Dinettes," July 25-Aug. 9.
• Pine Knob Theatre, 270-991-8191, www.pineknob.com. "At the Hop," June 27, 28, July 25, 26, Sept. 26; "Down in Hoodoo Holler," June 20, July 4, 11, 18; "Dock Brown — Legend of an Outlaw," June 14, 21, July 15, 12, 19; "Lucy and Ruth's Diner," Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, Sept. 5, 12, 19; "Daddy Took the T-Bird Away," Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27; "Elvis Night," Aug. 29, 30; Theatre Festival, Sept. 27.
• Pioneer Playhouse, 859-236-2747, www.pioneerplayhouse.com. "Leading Ladies," June 6-21; "Mornings at Seven," June 24-July 5; "Death by Darkness," July 8-19; "Love, Sex and the IRS," July 22-Aug. 2; "Cookin' With Gus," Aug. 5-16.
• Stephen Foster Productions, 1-800-626-1563, www.stephenfoster.com. "Stephen Foster: The Musical," June 7-Aug. 15; "Annie," July 1-Aug. 16 (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays); "The Civil War" (a Lincoln bicentennial event), Aug. 18-23 (nightly); "Live at the Park Concert Series," June-September on select Monday and Saturday nights.
• Twilight Cabaret Productions, 270-436-2399, www.twilightcabaretproductions.org. "The Costume Ball," June 20-July 26.
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