Latest News TECUMSEH! FUNDRAISER EVENT ANNOUNCED - "ROMEO & JULIET" SET FOR SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN July 12, 2010
It’s not often someone wants to work for nothing.
But that’s exactly what will happen Aug. 1 and Aug. 8 when cast members of Tecumseh! perform William Shakespeare’s classic play Romeo and Juliet at theSugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre.
The special Sunday performances will serve as a fundraiser for the Scioto Society, Inc., producers of the outdoor drama Tecumseh!
The additional shows will be produced entirely by company members and the cast and support crew will be donating their time to put on the performances.
“Keath Hall, director of Romeo and Juliet, along with his entire cast and crew should be commended for spearheading this special event,” said Scioto Society, Inc. President Beth Beatty.
“It is heartwarming to hear the reason behind their efforts is to not only challenge themselves as actors and technicians, but to have their hard work and dedication go toward giving a financial boost to a place that they value to be more than just a place to work,” Beatty said.
Romeo and Juliet will combine the best of both English literature and Ohio history for a truly unique show.
Set on the 18th century American frontier, tensions flare between the frontiersmen and the Native American tribes as each struggles to occupy their own territories.
Yet, when young Romeo sneaks onto Indian land, he finds a chance for love in the chief’s daughter, Juliet. While the relationship flowers, the feuding peoples continue to shed blood. With their future in jeopardy, the two lovers are forced to take drastic actions in an attempt to escape their families’ rage.
All proceeds from the two performances will go directly to the outdoor drama Tecumseh.
The Sunday performances will be at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10. For additional information visit www.tecumsehdrama.com and click on "news". Tickets will be available at the door or can be reserved by calling the box office at 866-775-0700.
For further information please contact: Beth Beatty at (740) 775-4100 or tecumseh@bright.net.
JYM GANAHL APPEARANCES July 12, 2010
Jym Ganahl, chief meteorologist on Channel 4 TV in Columbus, will continue to make his cameo appearances in the outdoor drama "Tecumseh!" throughout the months of July, August and September.
Jym is enjoying his 18th season at the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre and portrays Simon Kenton's older brother.
His appearances dates are: July 17 and 24; August 21 and 28; and September 4.
PLAYWRIGHT PRAISES OPENING NIGHT June 18, 2010 Tecumseh! Playwright Allan W. Eckert, after attending this year's opening weekend performances June 11-12, offered the following testimonial on the 2010 cast, crew and management:
"I am being most sincere when I say that of all the "opening day" events at Tecumseh! -- of which I've seen probably 16 or thereabout -- never before has one seemed so instantly imbued with such obvious professionalism. The characters portrayed by the cast -- equity actors as well as relative amateurs -- seemed virtually to spring to life with unbounded vigor, sincerity and dedication and I was awed and distinctly moved by the grace and dignity they have brought to their roles.
The production is, at this early stage, much closer to perfection than any previous "first performance" I've seen of it. I was especially impressed with the fine work of Adam Burke, who has, with his skilled direction, molded the cast masterfully and I wish I had expressed that to him personally in a more direct manner. He is certainly most deserving of whatever praise is expressed and I am decidedly grateful for the excellence of his touch.
I thought the lighting was especially improved -- both creatively and thoughtfully expressed -- and, as it always has been in the past, the musical score by Carl T. Fischer, aided by Frankie Laine, cannot help but linger as a haunting theme in the soul of the listener. The narration, so forcefully delivered by Native American Actor Graham Greene, though limited, remains consistently elegant in its directness and strength.
While commendation is deserving to the entire cast, I feel strongly that particular praise should be made to three outstanding actors -- Michael Arbuckle in the title role of Tecumseh, Gregg Wozniak as the megalomaniacal Prophet, Tenskwatawa, and Joshua Katzker as the remarkably forceful and ambitious General Harrison. These three projected their utterances at all times with brilliant directness and clarity and, most importantly, they made the viewer care. Finally, in this season's Tecumseh!, I feel without reservation that Producer Beth Beatty has done a superlative job in taking over the reins. Under her skilled guidance the entire production can only be described as truly masterful."
-- ALLAN W. ECKERT, Playwright of Tecumseh!
Tickets for Tecumseh! may be purchased in advance by calling 1-866-775-0700 or on-line at www.tecumsehdrama.com . Tickets also may be purchased the night of the performance. The 2010 season continues nightly, except Sundays, through Sept. 4.
ALLAN ECKERT ADDRESSES “TECUMSEH!" CAST June 11, 2010
Tecumseh! playwright Dr. Allan Eckert returned to the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre Friday for the first time in five years to attend the opening of the 38th season of the outdoor drama.
The award winning author, who wrote the book The Frontiersmen from which the outdoor drama was adapted, addressed the cast Friday afternoon, just hours before opening night.
“I hope this drama will stay in your heart and become a great experience for you,” Dr. Eckert said. He told the cast that Tecumseh “was the embodiment of what a human being should be” and that the Shawnee leader had an impact on humanity.
Dr. Eckert, who autographed copies of his books for ticket holders of Friday’s performance, was also to attend Saturday’s performance where he was to hold another autograph session for ticket holders.
Asked how it felt addressing the cast – many of which were not even born when he wrote The Frontiersmen – Dr. Eckert said, “It was an honor and a distinct pleasure knowing they are carrying on my words and the history of a great individual.
“When we first started the drama we thought maybe it would go two to three years. Now to have it approaching four decades is “satisfaction unparalleled.”
Dr. Eckert said that he hoped patrons walked away from the performance with a sense of “what Native Americans meant and gave to this country and their importance to this land.”
Michael Arbuckle stars in the lead role and said he returned to the show because of his love for Tecumseh! and what he describes as an “incredible story.” He said it was incredible to hear why Dr. Eckert wrote the drama from an historical perspective and “to do a show where actual history happened.”
Raymond Speakman, who is in his 29th season and plays Simon Kenton, said Dr. Eckert’s visit excited him more this time than in previous years because of his absence from the drama for so many years. “Everytime I see him I ask all the questions I can about Simon Kenton.”
TECUMSEH! SIGNS LEAD ROLE March 5, 2010
The Scioto Society, Inc., producers of TECUMSEH!, announced today they have signed the lead role in the drama. Michael Arbuckle has been contracted to play Tecumseh during the 2010 season.
Michael will be returning to Sugarloaf Mountain for his fourth season, his first portraying the legendary Shawnee leader. He was last on this stage as The Prophet in 2009 and 2006, and as Wasegoboah, in 2005.
Originally from Glendale, AZ, Michael currently resides in Chicago where he is studying long form improv at iO (formerly Improv Olympic) from some of the best improvisers in the world. Before moving to Chicago, he lived in Phoenix touring to elementary schools throughout the country, while working for the nationally awarded theatre company, Childsplay.
Michael is a graduate of Scottsdale College and Southwest Shakespeare Conservatory where he studied the acting techniques of Stanislavski and Meisner, musical theatre, and improv.
