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 Did
you ever dream of being an actor or actress on stage, but family or work
commitments prevented it from becoming a reality? Wouldn’t it be great
if you could use your acting skills during your free time, so that it
wouldn’t interfere with your other responsibilities?
For folks living in or near Leesburg, this dream has become a reality
through the Melon Patch Theatre. About 99% of the actors and actresses
at the theatre are volunteers who rehearse in the evenings, and perform
on weekends. The theatre seats about 200 for each show, which includes
plays written by local playwrights, as well as Broadway productions.
The Melon Patch Theatre was formed in 1951.
It presented its first production in what was called the Lee Adult
Center on Main Street. A contest was held to decide on the theatre’s
name, and Melon Patch was chosen to reflect the areas large watermelon
industry. In the mid 50s, the City of Leesburg donated some property on
North 13th Street, where the present building was erected. The Board of
Directors consists of 6 executive members and 12 regular members. A
separate committee selects the productions, which are eventually
approved by the Board.
Sarah Barcus, one of the original founders,
is still active with the Playhouse, and each year, Sarah Awards are
presented for the theatre’s best actor, best show, etc. Musical
productions run for 4 weeks, and non-musicals run for 3 weeks. Last
month, they presented “Jenny Kissed Me”. This play was presented as a
fund raiser to replace the theatre’s seats for the 2004/05 season. The
theatre is also hoping members of the community will “sponsor” seats to
help defray the cost. The Theatre is excited about their new schedule.
They will present “Once Upon a Mattress” in September; a musical with
some sidesplitting scenes. In November and December, “Annie” will be
shown. In January 2005, they plan to present “Harvey”; about a
six-and-a-half foot, imaginary rabbit. In March it will be Alan Jay
Lerner’s “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever”. In May 2005, the “The Gin
Game” is scheduled; a Pulitzer Prize winning play that uses a card game
as a metaphor for life.
Mike Winternheimer, who has been involved
with the theatre for over 13 years and is now Vice-President of
Operations, recently said, “We are always looking for new people that
like to perform”.
Tickets are usually $12 for adults, $7 for
students. Season tickets, as well as “Flex Passes” are also available.
For more information about the theatre, contact them at (352) 787-3013,
weekday mornings until 1 PM.
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