‘New Ways to Dream’ Kicks Off TLP’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

TLP Founder Sheldon Frank with First State Bank’s Gail Mulay at TLP’s 50th Anniversary Gala Event

Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP), northwestern Illinois’ non-profit professional summer theatre, begins its celebration of the 50th Anniversary season with a new logo, new campaign, new plays never before seen at TLP and more.

50 years ago, a small group of individuals including Don MacKay, Andrew Bro, Sheldon Frank and Dorothea Rahn decided that the area needed a summer theatre. The theatre was built with a slanted floor so that if it “didn’t make it,” it could be sold to house animals. A small dream became realized with exceptional help from the community and beyond.

Founding member Andrew Bro mentioned in Reflections, an essay he wrote about TLP’s opening night of the first production Teahouse of the August Moon, “Everywhere were dressy people and cars parking, all carefully directed by a dozen guys on Palomino horses! . . . Then, across the front porch were strings of colorful, lighted Japanese paper lanterns. Where had all of these come from?” A theatre was built from the hands of the community: sewing the seat covers, pouring the foundation, making the costumes and a bank deposit that coined the name Timber Lake Playhouse. Just like Bro, many others have their own stories about the beginnings of the beautiful playhouse. TLP is asking those who have their own TLP memories to submit their “TLP Story” to info@timberlakeplayhouse.org. Timber Lake Playhouse will be gathering these stories to create a TLP memory book of the last 50 years.

Timber Lake Playhouse When It Opened It’s Doors in 1962

Sheldon Frank, TLP founder and current Board Member, worked with house photographer Bill Delp to share his TLP memories through a 50th Anniversary commemorative calendar. The 2011 calendar includes production photos and highlights historic dates important to TLP’s history. The calendar is on sale for $20 at the TLP Box Office

A New Season

On July 17th, First State Bank of Shannon, Polo and Lake Carroll sponsored the annual Gala event at the Lake Carroll Clubhouse kicking off the 50th Anniversary season. At the event, TLP supporters were able to share the stories of the founding members in attendance, enjoyed hors d’oeuvres themed to celebrate TLP’s first production and Artistic Director James Beaudry announced the 2011 50th Anniversary season, “New Ways to Dream”:

TLP's new logo commenorating 50 years.

 

- Sunset Boulevard: An Epic Musical Theatre Event, June 2 - 12

From Andrew Lloyd Webber, TLP is one of the first theaters in the nation to secure the rights to Sunset Boulevard.

- Flight of the Lawnchair Man: A New Musical Comedy, June 16 - 25

A cheerful and delightfully imaginative new musical.

- Sweet Charity: A Classic Never Seen at TLP, June 30 – July 10

With a book by Neil Simon and original choreography by Bob Fosse, Sweet Charity tells the story of Charity Hope Valentine, who learns that you can’t run from your past--you can only dive head-first into your future full of hope and optimism.

- Red Herring: A New Farce, July 14 - 23

Red Herring is the hysterical, mad-cap and ultimately heartwarming tale of three couples who’ll go anywhere and do anything to catch that big fish called love.

- Children of Eden: A Musical About Sons and Daughters, July 28 – August 7

From the writers of Wicked and Les Miserables comes this glorious musical adaptation of the Book of Genesis. Children of Eden is a wonderful, uplifting musical that will inspire the spark of creation in all of us and remind us that the hardest part of love is the letting go.

- The Spitfire Grill: A Musical About Coming Home, August 11 - 21

Gilead, Wisconsin is a small, rural town where the waitress spills the gossip as she fills your coffee cup. A celebration of the towns we call home, The New York Times called The Spitfire Grill, “Shear nourishment for the soul.”

- NEW in 2011, A Special Event:

‘Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3: Heavenly Fun, August 25 – September 4

Sister is back in the latest installment of this sinfully funny series. After our previous lessons about the saints, venial sin and purgatory, we will gather to hear Sister’s lessons on Holy Matrimony and Last Rites, including Sister’s own version of The Newlywed Game. Classroom participation is a must, so bring you sweetie and your friends for a session with the country’s feistiest couples’ counselor!

*Productions subject to change, pending availability from licensing companies.

Golden Anniversary season subscriptions for the first six performances are on sale at the TLP Box Office for $100 each until August 22. Those who purchase a Golden 50th Anniversary subscription will be entered in to 12 drawings for an overnight stay in a luxurious cabin at Timber Lake Resort. Season subscriptions do not include the Special Event, Late Nite Catechism 3.

A New Dream

Timber Lake Playhouse has a new dream for the next 50. This memorable season will include a campaign to build a new Technical Theatre Building that will house a new scenic design shop, paint shop and props storage area. The 50 for 50 campaign will allow the theatre facilities to match the amazing talent that TLP hires from around the country, to give them the opportunity to create the beautiful designs in an interior space. If 50 sponsors donate $1,000 each, the new Technical Theatre Building can be fully realized and the donors will have the opportunity to have their name on a piece of history.

TLP is also pleased to announce a new logo for the 50th Anniversary. The logo was created by David Stedwell’s Graphic Design class at Ashford University in Clinton, IA. Graphic designer, Kylie Willet’s design was chosen as the official logo that represents TLP’s signature revolving stage.

Check out more information about the exciting season, including videos of founding members, at Timber Lake Playhouse website at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org.

To purchase a subscription or for more information, contact the TLP Box Office at 815-244-2035, 11am through 7pm daily or email at boxofice@timberlakeplayhouse.org.