Shawnee kicks off celebration with Twain visit

Contributed photo "An Evening With Mark Twain," presented by Samuel L. Clemens in his parlor by Kurt H. Sutton, is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Shawnee Theatre.

Fifty years is a long time.

A golden anniversary is something to celebrate when it comes to a marriage.

Fifty years at the same job doesn't happen very often, so it too is something to celebrate.

The Shawnee Theatre Board of Directors and director Matt Graber have planned for over a year to celebrate their 50th season of providing quality entertainment for area residents.

Though the official season won't kick off until June, a preseason presentation is scheduled for this weekend. It's a way for Shawnee Threatre to say thanks for 50 years of support.

"An Evening With Mark Twain," presented by Samuel L. Clemens in his parlor by Kurt H. Sutton, is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Shawnee Theatre and again Sunday at 2 p.m.

Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Shawnee Theatre will be transformed into Sutton's comfortable parlor room. This entertaining presentation of a historical icon is a wonderful way for the Shawnee to kick off its 50th season, Graber said.

Sutton will go over many famous stories of the marveled Twain as well as show his talents as a musician who plays guitar, banjo, and harmonica. Graber expects laughter to be a huge part of the performances.

Along with the humorous stories of Samuel Clemens -- better known by his pen name Mark Twain -- Sutton will show a wide range of acting ability while playing Huck, drunken Ol Pap, prissy Miss Watson, and the runaway slave Old Jim.

Along with the public performances, over 500 children will get a special treat. On Friday, Shawnee Theatre will host a special presentation of the show thanks to Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC.

For advance sale tickets for Friday or Saturday's shows or questions please call Tonjua Toon at (812) 863-2364.

Shawnee Theatre, Indiana's oldest continuously running summer theatre, is located just a mile south of downtown Bloomfield at 4 Furnace Road.

For more information on the Shawnee's 50th season contact mattegraber@gmail.com or go to www.shawneetheatre.org.

For more information on Sutton and "An Evening With Mark Twain" visit kurtsutton.home.mindspring.com.

This year's Shawnee Theatre schedule:

* The Wedding Singer -- June 11-14, 18-21.

* A Streetcar Named Desire -- June 25-28.

* The Last Five Years -- July 2-5.

* Lend Me A Tenor -- July 9-12, July 16-19.

* The Wolfman of Greene County -- July 23-26.

* The Last Night of Ballyhoo -- July 30-Aug. 2.

Chris is the general manager/editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at cpruett79@hotmail.com .