Flag-waving, gospel music to open Playhouse season

The season will begin Friday and Saturday, May 28-29, with “Old Hymns and Patriotic Music.” Both shows will begin at 8 p.m. and are open to the public free of charge. Donations for the playhouse will be collected.

The show will be presented by the trio of Celtic singer Kathy Cowan of Chicago, Post Playhouse executive director Loree MacNeill and pianist Will Baily of Chadron.

Cowan has performed in Chadron twice, once during the five years she toured with the band Kiltartan Road. Now a voice instructor at Northeastern Illinois University, she has been the featured soloist with several major symphony orchestras. She has appeared with Doc Severinsen and the Milwaukee Symphony, as well as the Wisconsin Chamber, Buffalo and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestras and the Toledo and Colorado Symphonies.

“The last time she was here, we did some singing around the piano together, and had such a good time we decided to put this show together,” said MacNeill, who is director of cultural programs and college relations at Chadron State College.

MacNeill said the show will take the audience back to a time before television when singing was a primary form of home entertainment.

The Chadron Veterans Honor Guard will present and retire the colors at the shows.

The playhouse’s regular season will begin Friday, June 4. Three comedies will be presented on a rotating basis ending Aug. 17. Seventy performances are scheduled.

This year’s shows are “A Night in the Theatre,” “I Ought to Be in Pictures” and “Greater Tuna.” MacNeill said each guarantees lots of laughs.

Ticket prices will remain the same as last year. They are $12 for adults, $10 for those 65 years and better, $8 for youths 12 and under and $8 for groups of 25 or more. Tickets may be ordered through the Post Playhouse, Box 271, Crawford, NE 69339. The summer schedule and more details are available at www.postplayhouse.com.

 

Audio (mp3): Loree MacNeill talking about the show.