GPT: 2015 Season And Its Future

The Great Plains Theatre: Short-term Answers For Long-Term Goals

by Michael Hook

An Outpouring of support from the community - photo by Michael Hook

As the door closes on the tragic 20th Season of the Great Plains Theatre, new doors begin to open. The eagerly awaited event for the GPT to Unveil the Future took place on Saturday evening, November 22nd, at the Abilene Civic Center to detail the theatre’s plans for continuation and the rebuilding process. 

The event started with Gina Dalton, president of the Theatre board, eloquently stating her appreciation for the community and their outpouring of support. She also thanked the patrons and the staff including Maggie Hoffman, Doug Nuttleman, Elizabeth Weese and Heidi Reeves. Dalton followed up with an answer to the most important question of the evening, “What is to become of the Theatre?”

Gina Dalton unveils long term future of the theatre. - photo Michael Hook

“We are committed to rebuilding this theatre in the best way possible. We want to rebuild to be long lasting and this will take time,” said Dalton. “The board has decided to move forward in hiring a Capital Campaign Manager to assess and assist raising funds nationally.”

The plan could take anywhere from three to five years, but to realize the vision that Terry Tietjens had spearheaded for the Theatre 20 years ago, it will take a collaborative effort and a lot of innovation. “Good things take time to develop, but when they are accomplished, they are great,” Dalton said.

The event proceeded with an auction of the remaining stones left over from Friday night’s opportunity for the community to donate money to receive a stone. The additional funds added from the sale of the GPT’s limestone façade, will help build a new foundation, while closing a chapter on the old building and location. There are no plans to rebuild on its former location on 3rd and Cedar. The sale of the stones brought in almost $9,000 total.

Maggie Hoffman announces the upcoming season - photo by Michael Hook

As executive director, Maggie Hoffman revealed the plans for the upcoming 21st season; the continuation of the theatre is a short-term necessity to realizing the long term goals. Plans are in place for at least six shows for the upcoming season, all six will be performed at Abilene High School. In March, Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum will host the Live Literature Program featuring The Cat in the Hat.

Hoffman went on to reveal the first three shows starting with “Damn Yankees” based on the 1955 Broadway Musical written by George Abbott, which spawned a Warner Bros. film in 1958. The story revolves around the Washington Senators and their cursed baseball fans that continuously watch the Yankees win championships, while their boys fight to stay out of the cellar. This is when Joe Boyd, a middle-aged Washington fan agrees to sell his soul to the Devil to see his team take the pennant over the hated Yankees. The devil convinces Joe that he can make him the slugger and hero of the team. The escape clause provides an opportunity for Joe to get out before the last game, and leaves the audiences in stitches.

The second show announced was “The Dixie Swim Club,” a comedy/drama involving the lives of five southern women who travel every August to meet at the same beach cottage in North Carolina. This gives the women an opportunity to escape their lives and their husbands for a long weekend. The story covers four separate weekends over the span of 33 years following the lives as they progress through difficulties of life in a light-hearted manner.

The third show will revive the jukebox musical entitled “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash”. The show opened on Broadway on March 12, 2006 and features more than two dozen classic hits including “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and of course the title track, “Ring of Fire.”

Hoffman went on to recognize two very special volunteers, Mr. and Mrs. Frey, who have donated their time and efforts to make sure every show since the fire has gone off without a hitch. They were presented with All-season Passes and a gift certificate to Mr. K's Farmhouse for the continuous support.

Though the direction and the vision may be blurred, it is certainly on the horizon. However, with the commitment of more shows for the upcoming 21st season, the Great Plains Theatre will face adversity head on and continue a rich tradition of theatre in Abilene, Kansas.