'The Curious Savage' to open Thursday on Playhouse stage

The Putnam County Playhouse production of "The Curious Savage," a comedy by John Patrick, will be presented Thursday through Saturday, July 12-14 and again July 18-21.

All performances are at 8 p.m. in the Hazel Day Longden Barn Theatre off Round Barn Road in Greencastle. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by phoning the box office at 653-5880 after 5 p.m.

Directed by Jack Randall Earles, "The Curious Savage" tells the story of Ethel Savage (Bethany Bax) whose late husband has left her $10 million.

She is in the process of spending it all to help those less fortunate than herself, when her three stepchildren (played by Kathryn Dory, Don Collins, Clarence Long) decide to have her committed to a sanitarium to prevent her from spending their inheritance.

While living at The Cloisters, Ethel becomes involved in the lives of the residents there. Florence (Tammy Hunter), Fairy May (Alixandra Green), Mrs. Paddy (Sandra Rossok), Hannibal (Don Wilson) and Jeffrey (Kenneth Lee Buchanan) who are all there for treatment.

Helping them along are Dr. Emmett (Jim Rambo) and Miss Wilhelmina (Shalynn Branscum).

Mrs. Savage foils the plans of her stepchildren and makes positive changes in her own life and in the lives of those around her

Bethany Bax last appeared here as Ruth in "Blithe Spirit." In addition to her many appearances on our stage, she has directed shows including "Barefoot in the Park" and "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Kathryn Dory played a leading role in "Nunsense." She has also been musical director for productions, including "The Sound of Music."

Don Collins appeared last season in "Don't Drink the Water." He played Willie Clark in "The Sunshine Boys" and was also in "All My Sons" among others. Clarence Long has appeared in "Kiss Me Kate," "Cheaper By the Dozen" and "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Tammy Hunter played Marion Hollander in "Don't Drink the Water" and has also appeared in "Never Too Late," "Footloose" and "Kiss Me Kate."

Jim Rambo directed "Don't Drink the Water" and has appeared in many productions, including "On Borrowed Time" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

Sandra Rossok has been in many productions, most recently "Don't Drink the Water" and "Arsenic and Old Lace." She is also the assistant director for this production.

Alixandra Green has appeared in many musicals, including "Camelot" and "Singin' In the Rain."

Don Wilson most recently appeared in "The Music Man" and "Don't Drink the Water." He was also in "Man of La Mancha" and "Blithe Spirit." Kenneth Lee Buchanan appeared last season as Lancelot in Camelot. He was also in "The Music Man," "Kiss Me Kate" and "Never Too Late." Shalynn Branscum previously appeared in "Never Too Late."

T.J. Tincher is stage manager for the production. Jim and Melissa Green are working on the technical side of the show. Linda Gjesvold designed the set. Ben Fisher is assistant stage manager and Rossok handled the costuming for the show.

"The Curious Savage" is sponsored by Rossok & Co. Insurance and Pekin Insurance.