Tag: Heather Henson

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Pioneer Playhouse Caps 76th Season with Brand-New Comedy

Pioneer Playhouse finishes up its regular play season with Not From Around Here, a brand-new comedy set in a typical 1980s suburb where one family is keeping a secret that’s anything but typical.

“We love producing new work,” says Heather Henson, managing director of the theatre her father, Eben C. Henson, founded in 1949.  “This show is fresh and funny, and it has a terrific twist that audiences will love.”

Not From Around Here, opening Tuesday, July 22, was written by the husband-wife duo of Jennifer Goff and Brian Scruggs. Goff is Associate Professor and Chair of the Theatre Program at Centre College, while Scruggs is Associate Professor in Eastern Michigan University’s Entertainment, Design, and Technology program.

“Jen has been directing for us for several years,” says Henson. “She directed That Book Woman last summer, and she’s directed the popular “Southern Fried” plays. We love working with her, and so when she said she had written a play with her husband, we were excited to take a look.”

“We started writing this play based on a story prompt a few years ago, and had the Playhouse in mind as we wrote,” says Goff. “We’ve gotten to know the audiences pretty well, and the returning actors, so we felt pretty tuned in to what hits the funny bone here.”

Not From Around Here centers on two couples and their 18-year-old kids who have been neighbors for ten years. They think they know everything there is to know about one another. The daughter and son have grown up together, they’ve fallen in love, they’re making future plans together, and then something totally unexpected happens that knocks everyone for a loop.

“The actors are having a blast rehearsing this show,” says Robby Henson, artistic director and also son of the founder. “There’s a lot of energy when you work on an original play, and I think audiences will respond to that.”

Besides writing the play together, the Goff/Scruggs duo is also part of the team launching it. Goff stars as Carol, a neighbor with a killer lemon square recipe, and possibly something else up her sleeve, while Scruggs directs the show.

“We love being part of this Playhouse family so much,” says Goff, and the fact that they are willing to take a chance on our play, and on us, it’s just about the coolest thing we can imagine! We are so excited to share it with audiences!”

The comedy also stars Mike De Pope as Goff’s husband and Gates Smyth as her son. The other suburban couple and their daughter is played by Jonny Maldonado, Julie McNamara, and Lainie Plunkett. Longtime Playhouse regular, Patricia Hammond, plays the sharply observant next-door neighbor.

Not From Around Here will run through August 9, Tuesdays through Saturdays, and will finish the regular play season at Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theatre. A final music extravaganza celebrating Elvis and Wanda Jackson will be  August 14, 15, and 16.

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Pioneer Playhouse “Glows On” with Fireflies!

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.