© 2024 WMKY
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Pioneer Playhouse Announces New Season, Format

Trip Advisor

Pioneer Playhouse of Danville, Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theatre, has just announced its upcoming 72nd summer season.

“As we proved last summer, we are uniquely suited to keep patrons safe and entertained,” says Robby Henson, son of founder Eben Henson and artistic director of the historic landmark. “We are outdoors and under the stars, and our big amphitheater is the perfect venue if things are still uncertain with Covid-19 next year.”

Changing things up a bit, Pioneer Playhouse will offer three plays instead of the usual five in 2021 and will add a couple of music nights, along with its annual stand-up comedy weekend.

“Last summer, Covid-19 made us – along with the rest of the world -- rethink things,” says managing director, Heather Henson, sister to Robby. “We’ve kept the same format for a long time, and we thought it might be fun to shake things up a bit.”

Kicking off the 72nd Pioneer Playhouse season will be Clue: On Stage (June 11 – July 3), a zany comedy murder mystery adapted from the hugely popular board game and cult movie classic of the same name.

“The stage version of Clue is new – it hasn’t been done in this region,” Robby Henson notes. “So, we know it’s going to be big. It’s a fun show – high energy, lots of doors slamming, lots of mistaken identities.  Exactly the kind of show our patrons love.”

“Everybody adores Clue,” adds Heather Henson. “And yes, the play features Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum and Miss Scarlett – all your favorite oddballs!”

The second play in the summer line-up will be Southern Fried Funeral (July 6-July 24), a feel-good comedy by the playwriting team of Osborne and Eppler about a quirky southern family coming together for their patriarch’s funeral.

Third on the roster will be Jeeves in Bloom (July 27-August 7), a delightfully silly British comedy adapted by Margaret Raether from the classic stories of PG Wodehouse about a ne’er do well Englishman and his unflappable butler who always saves the day.

Joe Deuce, a Pioneer Playhouse favorite who’s opened for Etta May and Lee Cruse, will be the headliner for the special comedy weekend this year (August 13 and 14) And two music nights have been added to the mix. On August 20, PowerPlay, a locally known rock and soul band, playing tunes from the ’60s and ’70s will take the legendary stage, and on August 21, Elvis Tribute Artist Barry Lockard, who starred in the “Kentucky Voices” original Breaking Up With Elvis will present a special homage to “the King.”

“Last year we had a terrific season despite Covid-19,” says Robby Henson.  “We are committed to staying safe and also doing what we’ve done for over seven decades – providing a unique theatre experience right here in the Bluegrass.”

Patron Passes are available at a reduced rate of $90 (regularly $100) while Super Passes are $150 (regularly $165.). A free Pioneer Playhouse t-shirt comes with a purchase. (Offer ends January 1, 2021.)
Call the box office for details at 859-236-2747 (Mondays-Fridays, 9:00 am -1:00 pm) or go online at: http://www.pioneerplayhouse.com

(provided by Pioneer Playhouse)

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."
Related Content