'Play On!' making Red Barn Theatre debut
FRANKLIN TWP. ― On Friday, the Red Barn Theatre opens its 2024 season with “Play On,” true to the theater's tradition of light-hearted, laugh-provoking comedy.
“Play On,” the comedy by Rick Abbott, is about a theater group trying to put on a play in spite of the interference by the author. They struggle, but the audience will enjoy the whatever-can-go-wrong-will scenario. It’s a thoroughly hilarious romp with a madcap climax.
Don Pepe is making his Red Barn directorial debut with the season opener.
“'Play On' is a play within a play, the audience will like that. It is really fun and I have a cool cast of 10 actors, different personalities, backgrounds, experiences and they range from mature of young,” he said. “Young people are fun to work with because they are not set in their ways.”
Since it is a play within a play, most of the actors must play two roles; the actor in the play and the person rehearsing for the role.
Tricia Eichler of Butler has only one role; she is the director in the production and its not all acting as Eichler can use her considerable experience as a director.
Eichler, also an actor with many credits, last appeared at the Red Barn in 2022 in “Whose Wives are they Anyway.”
Since Eichler was a student in grade school, theater has always been a part of her life. She teaches all aspects of theater at the Butler County Community College.
“I teach a variety of theater arts, drama, acting and theater history, but my favorite is introduction to theater. I love introducing people to the world of theater,” Eichler said.
In 2022, she made her Red Barn debut in “Whose Wives Are They Anyway”and is glad to be back.
“I’m seeing old friends and making new ones. It is such a great place – the people, the gorgeous sunsets. What could be better? I love it there,” Eichler asked.
The mother of three children, Eichler is a full-time college counselor at the Butler campus.
Pepe, the director, who recently retired as borough manager of Zelienople, said he has directed in other venues, likes to direct and decided it was time to direct a show at the Red Barn. The board of directors was glad to have his expertise.
“The Red Barn venue is interesting and truly represents community theater. I feel it is important to respect the traditions of the Red Barn,” he said.
Pepe, a veteran actor, last appeared on the Red Barn stage in “The Sunshine Boys,” just before COVID put theater on hold.
Pepe, who describes himself as a shy introvert, said he loves being on stage, but directing is more creative.
“There is a lot more responsibility as a director, more opportunity to be creative. I believe my experience, both as an actor and director, is valuable in guiding the cast with their roles,” he said.
As an ordained elder in the Roman Catholic Church, Pepe exercises his creative writing talents writing sermons and preaching.
The cast is Jeff Carey of Butler; Tricia Eichler of Butler; Thom Hilliard of Butler; Kara Masters of Beaver Falls; Hunter Rock of Portersville; Sue Baxter of Ross Township; Tammy Erkman of Ellwood City; Ria Schlachter of Ellwood City; Kathy Ciesielski of Economy; Peyton Confer of Ellwood City; and Sarah Campbell of Ellwood City.
What: "Play On!"
Where: Red Barn Theatre, 1279 Route 288, Franklin Township
When: 7:30 p.m. May 31, June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15
Admission: $13
Reservations: http://www.RedBarnPlayers.com
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Red Barn Theatre season begins with 'Play On!'
