A Schoharie County summer tradition returns for its 20th season this July and August.
The Timothy Murphy Playhouse will be presenting two shows this summer as part of its 20th season.
The shows started in 1995 with a production of Oliver. No matter the obstacles, the plays have continued every year since. Once Upon a Mattress and Once Upon This Island will be performed in the Middleburgh high school auditorium in a few weeks. The shows are the 24th and 25th presented by TMP.
TMP organizers have called this their "Fairy Tale 20th Season."
Director Joel Bramer said the productions are a collaborative effort on the part of many people.
The stage people, the set designers, the choreographers, the actors, the parents, and many others, are vital to the shows, he added. More than 100 volunteers are involved in the two shows.
The productions take about six weeks of work, for four to five nights per week.
"It shouldn't make sense," Mr. Bramer said of the work and dedication that is needed for the shows.
The explanation, though, is simple.
"We love what we do," he explained. "We love our community and the community loves what we do."
The shows, he added, are a lot of work.
"It's never not been successful, but it's always stressful."
The youth play, Once Upon a Mattress, involves about 50 child actors from ages four to 14. It will be presented the evenings of July 26 and 27 with a matinee on the 27th. The adult show, Once Upon This Island is set for August 8 through 10 with two evening shows and a matinee. The adult show involves about 17 actors, most 15 and older.
Many people have been involved with many of the productions.
Mr. Bramer has been involved in some way or another in all but three productions. He performed in the first show in 1995. Sarah Clement has been involved somehow in each of the seasons, he added.
"For many participants, The Playhouse has been a dream come true. They've had the chance to pursue a passion, learn from experienced production teams, dress up, put on funny makeup, act silly, dance wildly, sing from the heart, perform daringly and most of all, be themselves."
He noted that at least eight people who have been involved in TMP are now employed in professional stage and theater, including himself. Several others became music teachers.
New people become involved each year.
Dove Karn began as a "stage mom" and now is the producer of the adult show. She is also on the Board of Directors.
"We're a family," Ms. Karn said of the TMP.
"That family keeps branching out." The volunteers now have reached a third generation. "It's that close knit theater...It's a Schoharie County tradition."
Tickets are available at the rehearsals during production week. The youth show rehearsal is from 5:30 to 7pm and the adult show rehearsal is from 7 to 8:30pm.
Tickets are also available by calling 878-4345.