Theater Under the Stars
June 14
7-11 pm
Don’t miss our 76th Anniversary Celebration!
Dinner, drinks, live music by Kelly Caldwell and Kashmere
Please join us in celebrating 76 years in the Bluegrass!
$75 includes dinner, one bar drink and live music. Proceeds go to help Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theatre continue to entertain and serve the community!
Kelly Caldwell and Kashmere are Kentukcy’s Premier 70’s and 80’s Dance Band!
Mark your calendars for December 3, when once again, Pioneer Playhouse joins other area nonprofits in the Good Giving Challenge!
The GoodGiving Challenge is an annual online giving event that makes giving to local nonprofits easy and fun! Hosted by Blue Grass Community Foundation, in partnership with Smiley Pete Publishing, the GoodGiving Challenge launches annually on Giving Tuesday. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 3!
Thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, the GoodGiving Challenge has raised $23 million for our region’s hard-working nonprofits since its inception in 2011! In 2023 alone, the GoodGiving Challenge brought 11,797 givers together to raise $2.67 million for 195 local nonprofits.
This year, as we celebrate the 14th annual GoodGiving Challenge, our goal is to raise $3 million for nonprofits local to Central and Appalachia Kentucky. We invite YOU to join the FUNraising by visiting bggives.org, from 9am on Giving Tuesday, December 3, through midnight on Friday, December 6 and donating to a cause (or more!) you care about.
Accessibility and accessible seating in all areas, including dining patio, play amphitheater, restrooms and exhibits in indoor theatre.
All performances are held outside. In case of light rain, show continues.
If show is canceled due to severe weather, rain checks will be given.
2025 SCHEDULE
THE GAME’S AFOOT
A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
By Ken Ludwig
June 6-June 28
It’s 1936, and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast mates to his isolated mansion for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests ends up dead, the festivities in this bizarre house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. It’s up to Gillette himself, assuming the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before it’s too late! A roller coaster ride of thrills and laughs! Winner: Best Play, Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allen Poe Award!
WALKING ACROSS EGYPT
Adapted by Catherine Bush
From the book by Clyde Edgerton
July 1 -July 19
Mattie Rigsbee is definitely slowing down. So instead of taking in that little stray at her door, she calls the dogcatcher, which unwittingly sets off a chain of events that include car theft, prison breaks, and a juvenile delinquent named Wesley. Armed with only her mouthwatering corn bread and a deep, abiding faith, Mattie is determined to make things right…if she can just stay out of jail herself! A funny, uplifting southern comedy.
NOT FROM AROUND HERE
Original play! Local authors!
by Jennifer Goff and Brian Scruggs
July 22-August 9
It’s 1988, and the Smiths and the Joneses are picture perfect neighbors. They’ve shared everything together—except maybe Carol’s famous lemon square recipe. Even their kids want to get married—after college, of course. Life is good and everything’s as normal as can be …until the Joneses get some news that is truly out of this world! How do you break it to your best friends (and possible in-laws) that you’re moving…about a zillion light years away?! A delightfully zany new comedy by Jennifer Goff and Brian Scruggs. Winner: New Works/Las Vegas Little Theatre Company!
August 14, 15, 16
Good Rockin’ Tonight!
Elvis Presley and his Rockabilly Queen, Wanda Jackson!
Join us for a night of celebrating Elvis and the vibrant music he made with the undisputed Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson! Two Elvises! One Wanda! Full live band!
Earlier start time! 8:00 pm!!Performances nightly Tuesday-Saturday
June 6 – August 9
Dinner & Show – 7:30pm
Show Only – 8:30pm (EDT)
Pioneer Playhouse of Danville, Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theatre, continues its 75th anniversary season with Fireflies, a funny, heartfelt comedy about finding love when you least expect it.
Fireflies, which runs from July 23 through August 10, was adapted for the stage by Matthew Barber from a novel entitled Eleanor and Abel by Annette Sanford. The down-home comedy centers around a retired schoolteacher named Eleanor who lives alone, set in her ways, and secure in her position as the most respected woman in her small Texas town. Enter a smooth-talking drifter named Abel who seems intent on renovating Eleanor’s house, and possibly her life.
“This is a terrific play,” says Robby Henson, artistic director of the historic theatre his father, Eben Henson, founded in 1949. “When we read it, we immediately knew it would speak to our audiences, and that it would be perfect for one of our favorite leading ladies, Pat.”
Patricia Hammond, who plays Eleanor, is in her 27th season at Pioneer Playhouse. She began when Col. Eben Henson was still running Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theatre. Over the years, she has become like family to the Hensons.
“Pat doesn’t just appear each summer,” says Heather Henson, sister to Robby, and managing director of the Playhouse. “We consult with her during the off-season on what plays to read and what plays might work. She and my sister, Holly, and my mother, Charlotte, were very close, and Pat mourns their loss with us.”
Holly Henson died of cancer in 2012, and Charlotte Henson passed away at the age of 93 on February 13th of this year.
“Our 75th season is dedicated to my beautiful mother,” says Heather. “She was the heart and soul, and also the backbone of the theatre. I know she’s still with us here.”
Fireflies is directed by Alana Ghent, who directed Mom’s Gift at Pioneer Playhouse several years ago. That play also starred Patricia Hammond.
“Alana and Pat have worked together before, so we thought it would be a great match,” says Robby.
“It’s a delight to be back at the Playhouse, celebrating the 75th anniversary,” says Ghent. “What I like about the play is that I think we can all relate to weighing safety and comfort over the risk that comes with taking a chance on another human being. I find Eleanor’s courage inspiring and I think audiences will too.”
Fireflies also stars Rita Hight, who has appeared in many Pioneer Playhouse favorites including last year’s Farce of Nature. Hight plays Eleanor’s nosy neighbor who is not at all sure about Abel’s intentions. Lewis Wright takes a turn as a former pupil-turned suspicious cop. Abel is played by Playhouse newcomer Shawn Dodd.
“Shawn sent in an audition reel from his homebase of Chicago, and right away we felt he was perfect for Abel,” says Robby. “Audiences have really enjoyed his performance as the unconventional bootlegger in That Book Woman.”
Fireflies will run nightly, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from July 23 through August 10.) An optional home-cooked dinner of BBQ Pulled Pork or Pulled Chicken and all the fixings is served at 7:30 before the 8:30 show. Reservations are required for dinner; suggested for the show. Pioneer Playhouse is located at 840 Stanford Road in Danville, KY. More information can be found at pioneerplayhouse.com or by calling 859-236-2747.
There will be a special ASL-Interpreted production for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Pioneer Playhouse of Danville, Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theatre, opens for its 75th Season on June 7 with The 39 Steps, a zany comedy based on the classic Hitchcock movie about spies chasing spies, mistaken identity, and good old-fashioned romance.
“We love this show,” says Robby Henson, son of founder Eben Henson, artistic director of Pioneer Playhouse, and director of the historic theatre’s first play of its milestone season. “We presented it 12 years ago, and audiences loved it. We decided to bring it back to celebrate our 75th. It’s so well-written. It’s a perfect show for our audiences. Lots of running around, lots of big laughs. Very high energy.”
The 39 Steps (June 7- June 29) was originally adapted into a taught thriller by Alfred Hitchcock in the 1930s from a book by John Buchan. It was one of Hitchcock’s early films and follows the plight of an ordinary man who suddenly gets mistaken for a British spy and must go to extreme lengths to prove his innocence. In 2005, playwright Patrick Barlow gave a comic twist to the story, and the popular play later went on to win two Tony Awards.
“The laughter is truly non-stop,” says Heather Henson, sister to Robby, and Managing Director of Pioneer Playhouse. “A handful of actors play over a hundred different characters; there’s an on-stage plane crash; there’s just tons of silliness. It’s perfect for all ages.”
The 39 Steps runs nightly, Tuesdays through Saturdays. The show begins at 8:30, but an optional homecooked dinner is served before the show.
“Our original BBQ Pulled Pork or Pulled Chicken is back by popular demand,” says Heather. “It’s only $40 for a homemade dinner and a play by professional actors. We keep our prices low because we want folks to come out and be able to see a live show, and experience what Pioneer Playhouse has been doing for 75 years!”
Pioneer Playhouse is also offering something a little different this year: a 75th Anniversary Gala on June 15.
“No show that night, just a big glam and glitzy party,” says Robby. “Comedian Joe Deuce will be our MC, and Michael Fly and the Sounds will provide the dance music. We’ll have awards and alumni sharing memories of their time at the Playhouse. It’s going to be a blast.”
The 75th Anniversary Gala on June 15 from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm is sponsored by Farmers National Bank. There will be dinner, drinks and a bar serving alcohol to those 21 years and older. The cost is $75 per person and may be purchased online or through the box office.
Pioneer Playhouse is located at 840 Stanford Road in Danville. Reservations are required in advance for the 7:30 dinner; suggested for the 8:30 show. Tickets may be purchased online at pioneerplayhouse.com or by calling the box office at 859-236-2747.
There will be a special ASL-Interpreted production for the Deaf and Hard
# # #
Pioneer Playhouse of Danville, Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theatre, will be celebrating 75 years in the Bluegrass this summer with crowd-pleasing comedies, a musical extravaganza, and a special 75th Anniversary Gala, all beginning on June 7, 2024.
“We’ve been gearing up for the whole year, and now summer is just around the corner,” says Heather Henson, managing director of the historic theatre her father, Eben C. Henson, founded in 1949. “Of course, it’s bittersweet because we lost our remarkable mother who was the heart and soul – and the backbone – of Pioneer Playhouse. She was so looking forward to this summer.”
Charlotte Henson, 93, producer and owner of Pioneer Playhouse, died on February 13 of this year. She had worked side by side with her husband, Eben, nearly from the beginning, and had continued her husband’s legacy after he died in 2004.
“Mom was known as the Energizer Bunny,” says son Robby Henson, artistic director of the theatre, “Former mayor, Mike Perros, had dubbed her the Iron Butterfly because she ran the theatre with a firm hand, seemed to be everywhere at once, and was a gracious and beautiful person.”
“The season will be in her honor,” says Heather. “We know she’s watching over us.”
Pioneer Playhouse’s 75th anniversary season will begin with The 39 Steps(June 7-June 29), a two-time Tony-award-winning comedy based on the Hitchcock movie.
“The 39 Steps is one of our favorite shows,” says Robby. “We did it twelve years ago, and audiences loved how zany it is. Kind of like Hitchcock meets Monty Python. A mystery, lots of crazy characters running around stage, and some good old-fashioned romance.”
In the second slot will be That Book Woman (July 2-20), Kentucky Voices world premiere original honoring a beloved piece of Kentucky history: the Pack Horse Librarians of Eastern Kentucky.
“This is the first Kentucky Voices play we’ve produced since before Covid,” says Heather. “The folks at First Southern National Bank helped us revive the popular series of plays celebrating Kentucky.
That Book Woman, the play, was adapted by Holly Hepp-Galván, an award-winning playwright who cowrote the popular Angela Correll trilogy of novels for the stage.
“My story is about one family in Appalachia and the impact one remarkable book woman has on their lives,” says Henson. “As a children’s book, it’s become a bit of a classic and still sells around the country and around the world. I get letters from kids in Japan and South Korea about That Book Woman. It’s a story that resonates with lots of people.”
In conjunction with the play, Pioneer Playhouse will be working with the Boyle County Public Library on an exhibit of historical photos and mementos about the Pack Horse Library Program. The exhibit will be in the Georgia DeAurajo Gallery for the month of July.
“We’ve also cast kids from the community in the play,” says Heather. Cal will be played by Warner Wiles, 12, and his brother, Oliver, 8, will play Nate. Aaliyah Love, 12, will be Lark and Reia Frey, 8, will be Dolly.
“There are a lot of talented young thespians in this community, and we’re excited to get a few on our stage,” says Heather.
Next in the summer lineup is Fireflies (July 23-August 10), a comedy about finding love when you least expect it.
“It’s a fairly new play,” says Robby, “we randomly picked it out of a list of funny, heartfelt plays and we were just delighted by it. It’s something a little different. An older woman possibly falling for a drifter just passing through. Is he a con man or is he for real?”
Pioneer Playhouse is also offering something a little different this year: its 75th Anniversary Gala on June 15.
“No show that night, just a big glam and glitzy party,” says Robby. “Comedian Joe Deuce will be our MC, and Michael Fly and the Sounds will provide the dance music. We’ll have alumni sharing memories of their time at the Playhouse, and we’ll be giving out awards and door prizes. It’s going to be a blast.”
The 75th Anniversary Gala on June 15 from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm is sponsored by Farmers National Bank. There will be dinner, drinks, and a bar serving alcohol to those 21 years and older. The cost is $75 per person and may be purchased online or through the box office.
While the regular play season ends on August 10, Pioneer Playhouse in conjunction with Shindig Music Production will once more offer a musical extravaganza as it’s closer for 2024.
We Three Kings: An Elvis Experience (August 15, 16, 17) will take the audience on a musical journey through four iconic Elvis Presley eras.
“Three different Elvis tribute artists, four different eras, plus a live band,” says Robby. “We’ve found over the years that Playhouse fans love Elvis, and this is perfect for them.”
As always, dinner is an option before the show – both for the plays and for the Elvis production.
“We’ve gone back to our BBQ pulled pork or pulled chicken with lots of sides because folks missed it,” says Heather. “It’s an incredible deal. Only $40 for dinner and show; $22 for show only. It’s really a perfect, and affordable, night out in Danville.”
Pioneer Playhouse is located at 840 Stanford Road in Danville. Dinner is served nightly Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 pm while the show is at 8:30 pm. Reservations are required for dinner; suggested for the show. Tickets can be purchased online at pioneerplayhouse.com or by calling the box office at 859-236-2747.
Shows are performed outside only. Bring a raincoat and umbrella for light rain. If the show is canceled due to severe weather, rainchecks will be given.
75th Anniversary Gala
June 15, 7-11pm
A star-studded night of food, drink and live music by Michael Fly and the Sounds!
Dancing! Cash (and credit card) bar! Alumni Stories! Awards!
Don’t miss it!
Tickets are $75 per person!
Alumni Weekend
June 14-16
Come for the play on Friday June 14, then stay for the 75th Annivesary Gala party on Saturday, June 15.
Share your Playhouse memories!
Discounts available at local hotels.
Call box office for details.