“Barn Groupies” Tell All
“THE BARN THEATRE is like my second home in the
summer,” enthused one long-time Barn patron.“Everyone worried
that when Jack (Ragotzy)died the magic would die as well. But that hasn’t
happened. Penelope and Brendan have done a terrific job recreating the
Theatre and moving it into a new era.” Another patron added,“It
was really wise to add shows that children will love because the Barn
is the perfect place to introduce children to Theatre.”
Recently,
several long-time patrons of the Barn Theatre were interviewed about
their love of the institution that is Augusta’s Barn Theatre. We
hesitated to call them “groupies”; however, as one of them
said, “Oh, I am a Barn Theatre groupie for sure! And have been
for a very long time.”
Live theatre was the original call for Kathy
Thornton when she started going as a stage-struck teenager. When she
sent fan letters to one of the stars, Angelo Mango, he responded and
they became friends – a relationship that has continued through
the years. She also keeps in contact with Dick Fuchs who now serves in
the Peace Corps. She felt a personal loss at the death of Howard McBride
because their friendship extended beyond the Barn and into the off-season.
Although she notes that the “apprentices get younger every year,” she
enjoys getting to know them and watching them mature throughout the season.
Roger Prior and his wife enjoy watching a show two or three
times during its two-week run. He is always amazed at the impact the
audience has
on the way the show “goes over.” “One night,” he
says, “The audience will just be laughing and really enjoying every
moment.” The next time they go, however, they discover that the
audience is still enjoying it but not laughing as much. He wonders, “What
makes the difference?”
Although they have four young children,
Kathy and Jim Eichman of Portage “have hardly missed a show” in
the 11 years they have lived in the area. Kathy calls the Barn family
her “extended family” and finds attending the performances “magical.” Kathy
and Jim never miss the cabaret performance at the Rehearsal Shed after
every show. They frequently bring visiting family to share in the experience.
Confirmed theatre “buffs,” Kathy and Jim are thrilled that
the 
Barn is now offering events for families because they are anxious
to include their children in their theatre adventures. Kathy was especially
pleased to learn that the family show this year is Geppetto And Son.
One of her young sons was Pinocchio last Halloween.
Barb Vanderweele
has been a “Barnie Mom” for the last several years, offering
extra bedrooms in her home to the college-aged apprentices. “I
live just down the road,” she says. “It’s wonderful
to be a part of it all. I’m there for all the excitement and disappointments.
I love watching the apprentices grow throughout the season.”
Barb
and her daughter, Katie, enjoy following the careers of the apprentices
they have housed or who have been at their home for a meal. They have
traveled to college productions and other summer stock theatres to
see “their
kids” perform and stay in touch with them at the holidays. They
have especially enjoyed following the career of Nick Dalton, a Barnie
in 2000. The son of their pastor, he has been having a great career in
New York and Las Vegas.
It is clear from talking to these super Barn
fans that the allure of the Barn Theatre has permeated their life experience.
Roger Prior gives much of the credit to Brendan and Penelope who, he
says, “work very hard and generate so much good will.” For
Jim and Kathy Eichman, going to the theatre is their date night. Kathy
Thornton says that when her mother was alive, going to the Barn was “their
time together.” She now shares that experience with her brother
and some friends. Barb Vanderweele just loves mothering the apprentices.
All of these patrons have learned first-hand the magic
of live theatre, and there is no better place to be infused with that
magic than at the
Augusta Barn Theatre, an institution in Southwest Michigan for the
last 62 years. This year’s lineup will be great fun – come on
out and be transformed.
Photos by Amelia Falk.
