Welcome to the Fulton County Playhouse. Started by Miss Daisy Coty, an instructor at Spoon River College, to "entertain and educate," the Playhouse has presented a variety of theatrical experiences for Fulton County residents.
Located near Bryant, the theatre building is a converted barn, the use of which was donated to the Playhouse by Dwayne Byers. Extensive remodeling has been done on the building, including the installation of an air conditioning system and a computerized light board.
A new rehearsal hall/storage facility was recently erected on the grounds thanks to the efforts of Playhouse members and supporters and the generous contributions of many area businesses. The building is named after George Child, who was the president of the Playhouse board of directors during the construction of the building and was personally responsible for most of the work done on the structure.
Productions are submitted by area directors and chosen by the board of directors. Auditions are open to the public, and anyone may participate in all aspects of theatrical production, from onstage to backstage to light loft.
Membership categories run from Members at Center Stage, which offers season tickets for life, Behind the Scenes and Patron. Season tickets are also available, as are season ticket vouchers. Written by Larry Eskridge.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser • March 2007
NEWS RELEASE for March 2007
The Fulton County Playhouse has announced the shows for the 2007 season:
The season will begin with the show “Noises Off” directed by Phyllis Vandermeer. “Noises Off” was written by Michael Frayn. This wonderful Broadway smash hit is “a farce about farce”, taking the clichés of the genre and shaking them inventively through a series of kaleidoscopic patterns. Called the funniest farce ever written, “Noises Off” returned to Broadway with a cast that included Patti LuPone and Peter Gallagher for the 2002 season and sent reviewers searching for new accolades to the hilarious. You’ve always seen what happens on stage but wait until you see what happens backstage during a performance – and where is Sheldon? “Noises Off” will run June 8 – 10 and 15 – 17.
This years children’s show will be “How to Eat Like a Child” directed by Sue Lafary. “How to Eat Like a Child” was written by Delia Ephron, John Forster and Judith Kahan. This musical romp through the joys and sorrows of being a child is hilarious. Children give 23 lessons in such subjects as how to beg for a dog, how to torture your sister, how to act after being sent to your room and how to laugh hysterically. The pace is fast, the tone subversive and the recognition instant. “How to Eat Like a Child” will run June 28 – 30 and July 1st.
The children’s show will be followed by Rodgers and Hammerstein II “A Grand Night for Singing” directed by Tammy Hamilton. A Grand Night for Singing opened the 1994 Broadway season with flair and distinction, gamering wildly enthusiastic notes and a Tony nomination for Best Musical. Rodgers & Hammerstein probably never imagined “Shall We Dance?” as a comic pas de deux for a towering beauty and her diminutive admirer, nor did they suspect that one day a lovelorn young lad might pose the musical question “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?” But that’s precisely the kind of invention lavished upon this new revue. “A Grand Night for Singing” will be presented July 13 – 15 and 19 – 22.
The last show of the season will be “Beyond a Joke” written by Derek Benfield. “Beyond a Joke” will be directed by Kevin Mercer. This will be Kevin Mercer’s directing début. In “Beyond a Joke” Jane and Andrew’s pleasant country house is accident-prone. Six people have already died there in unfortunate and embarrassing accidents. When daughter Sally’s young man Geoff arrives for the weekend unaware of the house’s reputation, he mistakenly deduces from conversational confusion that the deaths were due to sinister circumstances. A body is discovered in the cupboard and a visiting vicar passes peacefully away in the garden just as Geoff’s parents call unexpectedly. Jane and her sister in law persuade Andrew to keep up appearances by hiding evidence, which involves trundling around with bodies in wheelbarrows. Geoff is nearly convinced that his is mistaken, unaware that one of the bodies has been mistakenly stowed in the trunk of his parent’s car. Performance dates for “Beyond a Joke” are August 10 – 12 and 17 – 19.
The season is filled with comedy and great music. Season tickets are available by calling the Fulton County Playhouse Ticket Office at (309) 647-6032. Season tickets are $25.00 each and cover “Noises Off”, “A Grand Night for Singing” and “Beyond a Joke”. There is an additional charge for the children’s show. The Playhouse seating chart is available for review at www.fultoncountyplayhouse.com.