Executive Director Amanda Webb.
Don Marquis’ s Prohibition comedy, The Old Soak, was the first production. Opening night was July 15, 1949 and it ran for five weekends. The title role of Clem Hawley was played by Joe Vurpillat. General admission was 90 cents. photo by Cindy Steele
After this success, more dramas were scheduled. Matinees ended when Indiana’ s summer heat parboiled those on stage. Due to its enthusiastic reception by the public, four plays were produced in 1950.
But conditions disintegrated in the original barn theater. Rain beating on the tin roof or the racing of motorcycles in a nearby alley were distracting during poignant scenes.
Jack Rogers’ s son, Andy Rogers, provided a new site, with financial support from various individuals and the Indiana University Foundation. Indiana University Chancellor Herman B Wells personally contributed to the endeavor by donating proceeds from a sale of Brown County property. For a total cost of $ 300,000, the modern theater had heat and air conditioning, a three-quarter thrust stage, and comfortable seating with ample leg room for 400. Maintaining the flavor and tradition of the first building, wood siding from the original barn theater was used on the street front and lobby. The performance season was five months long.
Citing increasing costs and declining audiences, Indiana University and the IU Foundation announced that the summer of 2010 was its last. After entertaining audiences of locals and visitors for over 60 years, the Playhouse was an essential part of the
Continued on 30
Scene from The Old Soak, the Playhouse’ s first production in 1949.
March / April 2022 • Our Brown County 25