Performances
Trumpet in the Land
Written by PAUL GREEN / Music by FRANK LEWIN
Trumpet in the Land , Ohio's official state play and longest running outdoor theatre production, brings to life the tragic but inspiring story of David Zeisberger and his Christian Deleware followers as they struggled to preserve their peaceful settlement despite the growing violence of the Revolutionary War.
The story begins in 1772 in the heart of the Ohio wilderness. Ziesberger, a Moravian minister has just arrived in the Ohio valley with dreams of building the first settlement in the wilderness, Schoenbrunn. Meanwhile, tempers between the British and Americans flair, eventually leading to the start of the Revolutionary War.
When the Revolutionary War breaks out, Zeisberger and his followers find themselves caught between the British at Fort Detroit and the Americans at Fort Pitt. By refusing to take sides in the struggle, Zeisberger and his people incur the wrath of both warring parties, eventually leading to the brutal massacre of 96 Christian Delaware at Gnadenhutten in 1782 by a band of American militiamen. President Teddy Roosevelt, a noted historian, called the event "a stain on the frontier character that time cannot wash away."
The performance is full of unforgettable historical characters including Simon Girty, a conniving border renegade who agitated for all-out war in the region; Captain Pipe, a young warrior chief whose hatred of all white men for the killing of his father added to the dangers facing the missionaries; and John Heckewelder, one of the first explorers of the "Ohio country."
Written by Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Paul Green, Trumpet in the Land is set in the very hills once traveled by those portrayed in the show and handpicked by the author. Watch the warm summer nights come alive with beautiful horses, brilliant fire dances, authentic looking costumes, fiery battle pyrotechnics and a beautiful natural setting.
Footloose
Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie / Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford
Music by Tom Snow / Lyrics by Dean Pitchford / Additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman
When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.
To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score, including “Holding Out For A Hero”, “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and “The Girl Gets Around”, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind.
Footloose is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
July 12, 20, 26 & August 2, 10, 2024 * 8:30pm
Assassins
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by John Weidman
Assassins is perhaps the most controversial musical ever written; it lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, in a one-act historical “revusical” that explores the dark side ofthe American experience. From John-Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, writers, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman, bend the rules of time and space, taking us on a nightmarish roller coaster ride in which assassins and would-be-assassins from different historical periods meet, interact and inspire each other toharrowing acts in the name of the American Dream.
ASSASSINS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI
September 13, 14, 2024 * 7:00pm
September 15, 2024 * 2:00pm
Dracula
By JOHN MATTERA
Based on the book by BRAM STOKER
As day turns into night, join the cast of Trumpet in the Land as the legendary vampire Dracula walks the hills of the Schoenbrunn Ampitheatre.
With such memorable characters as the insect-eating Mr. Renfield; the vampire-chasing Professor VanHelsing; Count Dracula's love interest, Lucy Westenra; and the comical butler, Charles; the startling double twist at the end of the show will have you looking over your shoulder until you are once again safe in your car.
Dracula is presented by special arrangement with the Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois
October 4, 5, 11 & 13, 2024 * 7:30pm
Special Productions
The Enchanted Bookshop
by Todd Wallinger
During the day, “A Likely Story” may look like any other used bookstore; but at night, it’s a place where magic happens - that’s when the characters inside the books come alive!
Six of those characters — Dorothy Gale, Robin Hood, Pollyanna, Sherlock Holmes, Heidi, and Tom Sawyer long to help Margie, the scatterbrained owner, save her struggling store, but they’re not allowed to leave the building or be seen by human eyes. So when a pair of smugglers comes looking for a stolen necklace hidden inside one of the books, the characters are torn; should they warn Margie and risk disappearing forever, or can they find a way to defeat the crooks without being seen?
Featuring additional appearances by such beloved literary characters as the Queen of Hearts, Long John Silver, and Doctor Dolittle, this charming comedy celebrates the joy of reading in a fresh, fun-filled way.
The Enchanted Bookshop is presented through special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Centennial, CO
July 24, 31, August 7, 2024 * 6:00pm
Beautiful
Before she was a hit-maker Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success with Tapestry, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you back to where it all began — and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.
Beautiful is the inspiring tale about a girl who became King with a stirring book by the late Oscar and Tony-nominated Douglas McGrath and the music and lyrics of icons Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Featuring such unforgettable classics as "You've Got a Friend", "One Fine Day", "So Far Away", "Take Good Care of My Baby", "Up on the Roof", "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling", "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", and "Natural Woman", this Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning musical phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember and a story you'll never forget.
November 8 & 9 at 7:00pm &
November 10 at 2:00pm