Post Playhouse bringing musical classics to Fort Robinson

Area residents and tourists will again be treated to a summer of musical theatre at the Post Playhouse at Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford.

Professional actors from across the nation have been recruited for the playhouse’s 45^th anniversary season, which features five classic musicals on a repertory schedule. Chadron State College and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission have been sponsors of the theatre since its inception in 1967.

The theatre’s 79-show production schedule will open with “Oklahoma!” on Friday, June 1. “Godspell” opens June 8, “Grease” on June 22, “Broadway Gold: A Cabaret,” on July 5 and “A Year with Frog and Toad” on July 7.

Tom Ossowski, the playhouse’s artistic director, said this season will deliver the top-notch entertainment and many laughs people have come to expect, along with some new features.

New to this year’s slate will be Saturday morning performances, added as a convenience for families with young children. Ossowski said young audience members will especially enjoy “Frog and Toad,” which is inspired by the children’s book of that name.

Ossowski said he was particularly pleased to obtain royalties to produce “Grease.”

“I’ve tried for four years in a row, and was turned down until this year,” he said. “They were not giving the show to professional companies because of the national tour.”

This year’s schedule also includes more matinees than seasons past, giving fans an opportunity to watch shows at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Those shows complement the 8 p.m. show times Tuesday through Saturday.

In addition to the musicals, the playhouse will host a number of special events, including its opening Memorial Day weekend. The Bald Mountain Rounders, who have become a favorite of bluegrass fans in the region, will again open the season with a show Saturday, May 26. Another special event will be the opportunity to ride the Remax hot air balloon at the playhouse June 16.

The troupe will take its talents off the playhouse stage for three dinner theatre performances of “Broadway Gold” at the Ranch House restaurant in Crawford. The shows will be July 14, 27 and Aug. 4.

Tickets, along with the complete schedule, may be obtained at the Post Playhouse’s website, www.postplayhouse.com. Seating also may be purchased by calling the playhouse box office at 308-665-1976 after May 21.

Because the performances often sell out, Ossowski recommends purchasingtickets in advance. He also noted that regular playhouse-goers can save money by purchasing season subscriptions, which include four shows for the price of three.