One of the best things going for our community is Gallatin Theater League.
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Of course, I’m biased. Gallatin Theater League re-enacted the Trial of Frank James in splendid fashion in 1990 and spearheaded the outdoor production re-enacting the 1869 Frank & Jesse James bank robbery during Chautauqua 2019. Watching these historical scripts come to life were special for me. But the real treat is seeing how talented so many friends and neighbors are on Courter Theater’s stage.
Earlier this week I bumped into Howard Weldon over the lunch hour. Like me, Howard has a few more grey hairs than when we first met but my mind’s view of him will always him as Lil’ Abner …when he unrolled those long arms at a song’s end, accepting a wild ovation on behalf of the entire cast from an appreciative audience on another outstanding production.
Or, what about Maud ‘n’ Essie …or just about any character Coach Doug Nichols played (especially “Don’t Rock the Boat” in Guys ‘N Dolls)? What community organization as created so many memories for such an extended period of time? What special GTL memory do you hold dear?
When our kids were young our family walked the four blocks from our house to Courter Theater to be treated to the Theater League’s 1989 presentation of “The Music Man.” Our kids were boisterously singing their favorites from that musical, laughing and prancing under a mild moonlight glow on the stroll back home. It was the best of times for this father. I remember thinking, even as that hometown memory unfolded, “It just doesn’t get any better than this.”
Gallatin Theater League is not only about building hometown memories but also challenging youth to get involved, volunteers demonstrating teamwork and commitment by example. There’s also the educational tradition of inspiring our youth through the Missoula Children’s Theater program, one which hopefully returns here someday after all this COVID disruption is behind us.
Of course, not every theater memory is picture perfect. I tried attending a theater production too soon after one of my back surgeries and endured about all the pain I could take, with every dance scene lasting way too long and me getting upset when all four verses of a song were sung when just one verse would have been better. So, I get it, live theater may not be for everyone and for all sorts of reasons. But show me something better, something sustainable that says community better than Gallatin Theater League.
If you care about community, if you want to contribute to the lifeblood of this small community, you should support the Gallatin Theater League. If you cannot attend the next production, “Independence Day at Happy Meadows” if not with your attendance then by donation.
Fundraising is currently underway. After COVID destroyed activities scheduled for 2020, a new slate detailing theater events for 2021 have been announced. New air-conditioning and thermostats have been installed; the lobby is remodeled, and new exterior signage now displays. Up next is a new roof. The replacement cost is $21,000. Send your contributions to Gallatin Theater League, P.O. Box 188, Gallatin, MO 64640.
Past Productions:
Spring 1983: “The Villain of Glitter Gultch”
Spring 1984: “Labors of Love”
Fall 1984: “All Aboard”
Spring 1985: “Lil’ Abner”
Fall 1985: “Dark & Stormy Night”
Spring 1986: “Ducktails & Bobbysox”
Fall 1986: “Follow That Bag”
Spring 1987: “Guys & Dolls”
Christmas 1987: “Do You Believe in Christmas?”
Spring 1988: “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”
Fall 1988: “Once Upon a Mattress”
Spring 1989: “Music Man”
Fall 1989: “You Can’t Take It With You”
Spring 1990: “Damn Yankees”
Chautauqua 1990: “Trial of Frank James”
Spring 1991: “Gypsy”
Chautauqua 1991: “Treasure in the Opera House:
Fall 1991: “WAKY on the Air”
Spring 1992: “Oklahoma!”
Chautauqua 1992: “Murder in the Heartbreak Hotel”
Fall 1992: “God’s Favorite”
Spring 1993: “Anything Goes”
Chautauqua 1993: “The Greatest Show on Earth”
Christmas 1993: “Fruitcakes”
Spring 1994: “Meet Me in St. Louis”
Chautauqua 1994: “Gee Haw”
Fall 2004: “Memories of Mirth and Melodies”
Spring 1995: “Annie, Get Your Gun”
Chautauqua 1995: “Little Bit Country”
Fall 1995: “Cheaper by the Dozen”
Spring 1996: “Wizard of Oz”
Fall 1996: “Nunsense”
Spring 1997: “Give My Regards to Broadway”
Chautauqua 1997: “Happy Daze”
Spring 1998: “Cinderella”
Chautauqua 1998: “Gone Country”
Spring 1999: “Little Shop of Horrors”
Spring 2000: “Sugar”
Chautauqua 2000: “Life’s a Beach”
Spring 2001: “Crazy for You”
Spring 2002: “Hello, Dolly”
Spring 2003: “Bye, Bye Birdie”
Spring 2004: “South Pacific”
Spring 2005: “Lil’ Abner”
Chautauqua 2005: “Broadway Our Way”
Spring 2006: “Mame”
Chautauqua 2006: “Courthouse Follies”
Spring 2007: “Kiss Me, Kate”
Spring 2008: “Arsenic & Old Lace”
Chautauqua 2008: “Daviess County Has Talent”
Fall 2008: “The Old Couple”
Spring 2009: “The Pajama Game”
Chautauqua 2009: “Wheels”
Fall 2009: “Greater Tuna”
Christmas 2009: “The Voices”
Spring 2010: “Lucky Stiff”
Spring 2011: “Oklahoma!”
Fall 2011: “Hallelujah Girls”
Spring 2012: “110 in the Shade”
Fall 2012: “Dearly Departed”
Spring 2013: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
Chautauqua 2013: “Gee Haw II”
Fall 2013: “Steel Magnolias”
Spring 2014: “The Fantasticks
Fall 2014: “All Aboard Revisited”
Spring 2015: “Guys and Dolls”
Fall 2015: “Harvey”
Spring 2016: “The Drowsy Chaperone”
Fall 2016: “Nunsense”
Spring 2017: “9 to 5 the Musical”
Fall 2017: “Nana’s Naughty Knickers”
Spring 2018: “Church Basement Ladies”
Fall 2018: “A Doublewide, Texas Christmas”
Spring 2019: “All The Bases”
“Sure Thing”
“The Great American Talent Show”
Chautauqua 2019: “Double Take At Beatrice’s Boarding House” (“Things Ain’t Always What They Seem”)
Fall 2019: “Gilligan’s Island the Musical”