The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 25, Milford, Kosciusko County, 3 August 1988 — Page 10

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., August 3,1988

Summer

'Heat' doesn't stop the show at Enchanted Hills

I By JENNIFER WOODWARD Staff Writer

The show must go on. This all-time favorite Thespian motto has been especially true with the cast members of chanted Hills Playhouse. The 1988 summer season has been a trying year for many of the actors and crew with the intense heat of the unseasonably warm summer evenings. But, the cast

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has proven strong and have shown that they are true professionals as they keep their cool amidst the sweltering heat. The Enchanted Hills Playhouse was purchased in December by three Elkhart area theatre lovers. Each learned of the others through their personal involvement in the Elkhart Civic Theatre, an organization they still strongly support. These three new partners include

Robert&Jpecker as general manager?TVlichael Algate as production manager and Christopher Helvey as business manager. Exhibiting the resourcefulness that is part and parcel of showbusiness, the partners are already in pursuit of an answer to the low attendance because of the uncomfortable heat during the evening productions. A fund drive has been established in hopes of purchasing an air conditioning unit to be installed in April. Unlike many may think, the summer season does not begin with the first production in June. Actually it all begins in February. Auditions start during this cold wintery month when summer sunshine seems an eternity away. The auditions are what many may consider the most significant role of a successful season. Aspiring actors are considered in regard to the upcoming season and how well they can adapt to the variety of plays. Talent is important as always but, physical make-up can also be very influential in the director’s decision. The selected actors, some from as far as New York, arrive on May 31 and check in to the Enchanted Hilton (the playhouse’s answer to home sweet home). Practice begins promptly in preparation for the season opener. New acquaintenances become quick friends as each member of the cast and crew live, sleep, eat, rehearse and play together every minute of every day of every week during the summer months. The actors can be found most anytime working in large groups, small groups, individually or one-on-one as they memorize lines, practice dance steps or learn the lyrics to the next musical. Unity. That’s the key to the success of the playhouse, “We work like a .big family,” not.es Christopher Helvy, business manager. Whenever one is in need, there is always someone to lend a helping hand. The set of any play can be very difficult but, very crucial to the performance. A total of three days, around the clock, is needed from the time a set is struck to the opening night. Technical workers are joined by the actors and the other members of the playhouse crew as they race to beat the clock in the creation of a new set. The schedule of the actor at Enchanted Hills is indeed hectic and very full. The day will begin with rehearsal at 9:30 a.m. Time is taken for lunch and then it’s back again to rehearsal until 5 p.m. A much needed break is taken as the company prepares for the night performance which begins promptly at 8 p.m. The day finally ends with the closing of the curtain and the applause of the audience. Gary P. Simmers of Ball State University is currently playing the lead as Pseudolus of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” His goal and life Terry Griffith in top five Terry, Lynn, and Dan Griffith of Griffith’s Wawasee Marina recently attended a dealer recognition dinner and seminars at the Regional Warehouse in Angola. At the dinner, Terry Griffith was honored by Mid-West Correct Craft as being one of the top five dealers for the Mid-West region, and received a plaque for his outstanding achievement. After the dealer recognition program, a greeting and “peek into” next year’s product line was presented by Larry Meddock, vice president of Correct Craft, Inc., of Orlando, Fla. The two-day event was concluded with seminars being held by each of the major departments at Mid-West Correct Craft, Inc., the Regional Warehouse.

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long aspiration is “to work, pay bills and own a VCR and not feel guilty about it.’ Woe is the life of the actor and like Simmers states, life is not always a bed of roses. He points out that approximately 95 percent of all actors work only once or twice a year. Simmers is very appreciative of the support he receives from his understanding family, “No actor makes it without the support of his family. Acting is very expensive to get into with resume photos every year, audition fees and additional fees like gas, time and money.” Simmers isn’t quite sure why he decided to pursue a career as an actor, “I don’t know if I really made the decision, I guess the decision made me. It’s nice to make a buck doing something you enjoy.” Another young aspiring actor of the Enchanted Hills Playhouse hails from South Bend. Brian Loeffler recently received his degree in theatre at the University of Notre Dame and has come to the Syracuse playhouse to con-

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'Forum' is a marvelous mix

By JEANNE GARDINER

Pure entertainment! Forum is a marvelous mixture of slapstick, schmaltz, fast talk, action, hummable music, and hilarious story lines that weave in and through to the promised “happy ending.”' The audience was having such a good time, intermission was almost an imposition. The story revolves around Pseudolus, a slave serving the house of Senex, a wealthy Roman. Throw in a house of ill repute on one side and an temporarily unoccupied house on the other, an old man searching for his lost children; along with a pair of young lovers, a Roman generakyery much occupied with his own “wonderfulness,” and Senex’s suspicious wife; mix it up with Pseudolus’ discovery of a means of becoming a free man, and you have the makings of complete chaos on stage at the old barn. Pseudolus (Gary Simmers) orchestrates the action beautifully. Just as a situation seems to be resolved, something goes awry and he creates a wild story and secures the cooperation of whomever necessary to get the job done. Simmers is funny. He

tinue his pursuit of the theatre. Loeffler has found the audience to be very supportive. He enjoys the summer theatre and hopes to return again stating that it is a great venue, “I think it’s great. It gives you the opportunity to try different types of roles.” He explains that all the roles he has played throughout his acting career have each been different and unique. Loeffler describes his goal as an actor, “An important part of acting is to communicate some significant idea. I enjoy plays with a message.” The super-heated summer of 'BB is quickly coming to a close and soon the actors will depart. Some will return to school and continue their studies, others to off-Broadway productions and, maybe, some will be lucky enough to finally hit the big time. No matter where the road of life may take these actors, the summer of 1988 will surely be remembered in the hearts of each and everyone as they search and struggle to a life of stardom.

has the situation well in hand and interacts with the other characters masterfully. Hysterium (Jerry O’Boyle), Pseudolus’s unwilling “partner in crime,” lives up to his name and becomes hysterical at the drop of a hat. His rendition of “Lovely” is also hysterical! O’Boyle and Simmers work well off one another —a good comedy team. Senex (Scott Hillenbrand) and his wife, Domina (Daniella Sando), are the parents of Hero (Brian Loeffler) who falls in love with the virgin (yes, virgin) who dwells next door at the courtesanfilled house of Marcus Lycus. However, Philia, the virgin (Wendelin Lovegrove), has been sold to Miles Glorious (Anthony Pounder), a Roman officer who is on his way to receive her. When Pseudolus discovers that Hero will give him his freedom if he can devise away to free Philia to marry Hero . . . well, the scene is set for rollicking fun! John Jay Shoup has created a picturesque and effective set. Katy Scukanec’s costumes are beautiful; and Kellie Blanchett’s choreography runs from enthusiastic to undulating, as called for. Every member of the Forum cast turns out an extremely fine performance. The pace never slows, the voices are good. The only disappointment was the wavering, uncertain strains of the Overture. Fortunately, everything was “up” from there. If you want to have lighthearted fun and be totally entertained, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” is the perfect show. Lines such as Miles Glorious’, “I am my ideal” or Hero’s, “The situation was fraught — and it was fraughter than I thought!” will draw a chuckle or roar. Take the family — take the neighborhood —for a memorable evening.

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Fund drive underway to air condition playhouse

The board of directors of Enchanted Hills Playhouse announced at the opening night of “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum,” a $35,000 fund drive was being held to air-condition the theatre by the beginning of the 1989 season. After many years of debate, the decision was reached recently that for the future growth of the summer stock theatre, that air conditioning the 100-year-old barn was a necessity. After extensive discussion and research, a fund has been established which will allow for the main house and stage to be airconditioned. In addition, a new electrical service and doors at all entrances will be installed. It hoped that with the ability to cool the theatre, a increase in show attendance will be shown. The board of directors as well as the new management realize that the heat that has been experienced the past summers has been detrimental to the growth of the theatre. With the air-conditioning and additional improvements that are continually being made

Forum runs through August 7 at Syracuse’s Enchanted Hills Playhouse on the east side of Lake Wawasee. Next up is “Sweet Charity,” opening August 10. Bourbon Summerfest expands This year’s Bourbon Summerfest usually scheduleifbrlthe third weekend in Augustnas been expanded to a full week — August 15-21. \ The highlight of the new activities will be a four-inning comedy softball game between the Summerfest All-Stars and a team from Logansport known as the Logan Lovelies. ; The “Lovelies” have appeared at the Indiana State Fair as well as Soldier Field in Chicago in a fun game with the Chicago Bears. This encounter is scheduled for 8 p.m. on August 15 at the Bourbon Little League diamond and should provide some fine family entertainment. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, the Summerfest Parade will kick off the weekend’s program. The return of the Honda Gold Wings “Sights and Lights” show will be the main attraction for the late afternoon and evening. The “Sights and Lights” will feature some 300 Gold Wing motorcycles on display on the festival grounds, from 4-8 p.m., and will then commence at 8 p.m. for a cruise of the town. An added feature to this year’s “Parade of Lights” will be the club’s theme song, played by an area radio station at a prescribed time with all the cyclists’ radios tuned to that station. The Bourbon “Show and Shine” classic car show will be held on Sunday, Aug. 21.

to the theatre, it is the organizations desire to continue to bring to the area quality summer theatre in cool comfort. 0 The Enchanted Ai r - Conditioning Fund has been established to handle individual and corporate contributions for this project. The fund is being maintained by First Federal of Wabash, Syracuse Branch. All

At Milford — Library champions named

The Milford Public Library would like to congratulate the winners of the 1988 Summer of Champions, summer reading program. This summer the library awarded medallions to each child who met the reading requirement in one of the three levels. A gold medallion was awarded to each child who read at least 75 books. The winners are: Kim Troup, Neal Higginbotham, Jocelyn Higginbotham, Jenny Kuhn, Rhonda Richardson, Bethany Cockburn, Amy Cockburn, Mary Cockburn, Heather Vanlaningham, Cameron Vanlaningham, Rosalyn Chamberlin, Leah Kilmer, Julia Beaty Heather Levernier, Jamie Levernier, Brandy Levernier, Nick Vanlaningham, Heather Moody, Jennifer Eades, Allison Lambert, Chris Lambert, Ayron Saylors, Michelle Hershberger, Joshua Cline, Amanda Beer, Sonya Beer, Kari Beer, Jeff Beer, Renee Wuthrich, Troy Wuthrich, Chris Beatty, Tom Carroll, Gina Bray, Jennifer Tudor, Kristy Shock, Sami Rogers, Paul Strycker, Glen Strycker, Amanda Garmon, Luke Sawyer, Sara Levernier, Scott Frantz, Craig Troupe, Laura Gunden, Jennifer Gunden, Rachel Hively, Latisha Powell, Holly Beer, Travis Coy, Jerrid Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Amber Hobbs, Brandon Hobbs, Jennifer Morgan, Jessica Kein, Darcy Murphy, Melody Hartter, Sarah Bultemeier, John Morehead, Christy George, Robert Schlipf, Katy Schlipf, Kristi Schlipf, Rustin Mikel, Mikel Haskins, Ryan Barrth, Paul Fisher, Kyle Fisher, Brad Andrews, Sara Dick, Allison Dick, Michelle Avalos, and Rachel Beer. A silver medallion was given to each child who read at least 50 books. The silver winners are: Tracy Gradle, Tiffany Bohnstedt, Kimberly Bohnstedt, Abby Bultmeier, Crystal Hartter, Crystal Pamer, Daniel Haskins, Amanda Sawyer, Tracy Kuhn, Darla Murphy, Tiffany Hepler, Eric Andrews, Hilaray Vanlaningham, Mathew Moe, Brandon Moe, Angie Beer, Regg Beer, and Mandie Sawyer. A bronze medallion was given to each child who read at least 25 books. The bronze winners are: Kara Price, Jason Haab, Marshall Morris, Weaton Morris, Amanda Reese, Rachel Keifer, Joshua Unruh, Thomas George, Bobby Phillips, Rhett Mikel, Megan Bell, Ashley Bell, Bengie Waldbeser, Rachel Newman, Sarah Newman, Melissa Miller, Katie Brown, Linsey Parker,

checks should be made payable to: Enchanted Air-Conditioning and sent to P.O. Box 41, Syracuse, 46567. For additional information or to request a donation form, please contact the theatre at 856-2328 or write to P.O. Box 41, Syracuse, 46567. Enchanted Hills Playhouse, Inc. is a Not-For-Profit corporation and all contributions are tax deductible.

Amanda Boyer, Kim Morgan, Kristy Martin, and Heather Reese. Jewel Bregel, children’s librarian, would like to thank her volunteers who faithfully helped throught the summer — Tricia Wuthrich, Jamie Levernier and Heather Levernier. She would also like to acknowledge the program presenters and sponsors who made the Summer of Champions a success: Art Bernardino (yo-yo artist), Sharick Wade (magician), Lee Anne Stewart Dance School, Rick Hines (karate expert), Body by Boyd (Chris Boyd Aerobics), Burger King (hamburgers), Flagpole Drive-in Warsaw (ice cream) and Noble Romans Pizza Goshen. Zimmermans home from Alaska Taking a trip the past five weeks, Virgil and Nancy Zimmerman of Milford have returned home from Alaska and the Northwestern, including British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. Some of the highlights were flying to top of the world, crossing the Artic Circle and landing at Barrow, Alaska. Seeing some of the native customs of living and their hand work was spectacular. The Eskimos were interesting as they cut and scraped the meat of a seal and dried the skins. The Zimmermans said it was also exciting to note their custom of fishing for salmon, carabou, deer and many other animals they kill with their own hands. The Eskimo clothing at a style show was all handmade with beads and furs of animals they captured with their own handmade weapons. The Zimmermans then flew to Prudhole Bay and saw the Trans Alaskan oil pipe line. They stopped in Salmon, Idaho, and spent the night with their famous cousin, “Dug Out Dick,” who lives in caves made and carved with his own hands. He has lived there for 40 years. He showed the couple his ice cave which is iced all year round. " Nuclear test ban UNITED NATIONS - Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze has invited the United States to join the Soviet Union in banning all nuclear tests as part of a sweeping new disarmament proposal.