Theaters in Nashville

There is a wide variety of talent on the theater stages of Nashville—something for everyone.

10 years ago Bob and Romilda Hamontre made the old Bond Funeral Home into the Pine Box Theatre to satisfy Romilda's dream of owning her own theater. The couple performed, attended, and supported musical theater all their lives and decided to do it for themselves. They now have 400 season ticket holders.

Members of the Pine Box staff write the shows, arrange the music, choreograph the dance moves and design the sets. The Good Time Gals sing hit tunes from the early 1900s through the 1960s in a variety of styles and beautiful costumes.

When you see a show at the Pine Box you can't help but notice that this is a tight, professional group. Deanna Demes and Romilda have been performing together as The Good Time Gals since the early 1970s. Local entertainer Francine Heimberger-Bonham is the third Gal and has been with the group for many years. The Guys, Garry Pottenger and Roger Smith, have accompanied the trio's harmonies with percussion and piano since the theater's opening.

When the Pine Box put together a show of love songs they named it "Love Makes the World Go Round," but the men were turned off by the title. So they tried "Love Is…." Still the wives had trouble persuading the husbands to come. Finally, they named it "Cupid Made Me Do It!" Now it is one of their most popular shows and is running through the month of October.

The Pine Box Theatre is located on South Jefferson with shows on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 and Sunday afternoons at 2:00. Two special evening shows are also on October 18th and 23rd. For reservations call 812-988-6827.

The Nashville Follies is performing It's a Jukebox Night Tonight! this October, a spin-off from the four-year-running Jukebox Legends show. The pop and rock sounds of the 50s, 60s and early 70s end even some country music that crossed over the border to become hits in this rock era are presented in an upbeat energy-packed show. The six-member cast dances synchronized steps while singing a stunning number of songs. You have to wonder how can they remember all those words and dance steps without missing a beat.

Joan Kisner is the producer, director and writer of the Follies. She has a degree in Art and English from Indiana State University and a master's in Speech and Theatre. She was entertainment director at Old Indiana Park for many years and moved her shows to Nashville seven years ago. Her son Steve helps manage the business.

The Follies started out in a much smaller facility near the current location. The new custom designed theater's acoustics and seating arrangement make any seat in the house a good one.

The cast entertains crowds with four quality shows a season. And the crowds get larger and larger every year.

The Nashville Follies, located in the heart of Coachlight Square, provides free parking for patrons. The Encore Emporium shop in the lobby sells music theme gifts and unusual craft items. Showtimes are Fridays at 8:00 and Saturdays at 5:30 and 8:30. For reservations call 812-988-9007 or 800-449-7469(SHOW).

The Brown County Playhouse entertained its first audience in July of 1949 in a barn that served as the theater for 28 years. A tent was later placed in front of the barn to shelter the audience. The current theatre structure now comfortably seats 400 people.

For more than 50 years Indiana University drama students have spent their summer vacations working with professional actors to entertain over a million theatergoers. Some of those young actors, for example Kevin Klein, moved on to the big city stages.

The Playhouse is wrapping up its 52nd season this October with its production of Sylvia, by A.R. Gurney. Sylvia is a comedy about a man, his increasingly jealous wife, and the dog who hijacks his heart. Sylvia runs Fridays through Sundays through October 21.

All performances begin at 8:00. Tickets may be purchased at the Brown County Playhouse Box Office, the IU Auditorium Box Office, and all Ticketmaster outlets. The theater is located at South Van Buren
(the main drag). For information call 812-988-2123
or 855-1103.

Erica Melchior founded the Melchior Marionettes in the early 1950s in northern Ohio. Now her daughter Peggy Pearson and her granddaughter Heidi carry on the tradition.

The theatre in Nashville began its 17th season this year with its production of the Comedy Cabaret on Strings (June, July and September), a classic variety format with trick Marionettes. During October the Slightly Haunted Puppet Theatre is presented about 50 times. You will see a "ghoulish" cast of standard Halloween characters—a witch that brews up a scary concoction, a dancing scarecrow and a spooky skeleton—plus some unique characters such as the friendly tiny alien and the flying purple people eater. Peggy designs all the sets, puppets and costumes. She also magically makes all the characters come to life.

Come rest your feet and enjoy 20 minutes of entertainment in this small quaint outdoor theatre located on the westside of South Van Buren next to the Old Bartley House. For information call 1-800-849-4853.