Brown County Playhouse Highlights
Visit the website < browncountyplayhouse. org > for a complete schedule and / or to purchase tickets.
~ by Connie Shakalis
The historic Brown County Playhouse produced its first play back in the summer of 1949 with a crew of Indiana University theater students. It now offers diverse programming of theater, concerts, movies, and special events year-round in a 400-seat intimate setting.
A predatory horseman minus his cranium gallops to the Brown County Playhouse this fall, in“ The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” a detail-infused scary / funny play by John Hembuch with input from Jon Ferguson.
Professional tribute bands( performers who do a renowned group’ s music and act like said group) come too.
STILL MAKING HISTORY
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The Playhouse has smoked out that sweet spot; it’ s a buffet of pro touring bands and all-volunteer comedies and dramas.
Here are some highlights of improvements and coming attractions.
As of last summer, some enhancement has come via the playhouse’ s new programming director, Bob McCutcheon.
According to a Cara Anthony report in the Indianapolis Star, McCutcheon was the“ man behind the music” in Fishers, Ind. He co-owned an Indianapolis theater employing greats such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Melissa Etheridge, and Spyro Gyra.
McCutcheon went on to dramatically increase patron size at the Fishers’ Nickel Plate District Amphitheater.
“ Bob has been in the business for 40 years, and he knows his stuff,” said Playhouse board president Patty Vinson Frensemeier. McCutcheon has brought many of his best contacts.
“ Bob has lots of clients and knows who is good. He also knows just when to schedule a tribute band.”
Notice how super-clean the Playhouse is. Servpro— who also provides free coffee, tea, and water to patrons— recently mopped, scrubbed and vacuumed nearly every centimeter of the historic theater.
The air-conditioning is new, as is the sound system.
The bar was remade a couple of years ago“ It’ s known now as one of the best bars in town,” said production manager Warren Sargent.“ Most music venues have a bar, however most theaters do not.” Particularly a complete one.
The green room( where performers prepare) is getting a boost, according to actor and board member Mark Stolle.
Carolyn Wolf McCutcheon has been writing grants, adding to performing-arts funds the Playhouse received during the pandemic.