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Richard Pletcher
Latest News on Richard Pletcher:
Amish Acres To Close Following Its 50th Anniversary Finale (Nov 18, 2019)
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is Coming to The Round Barn Theatre (Nov 4, 2019)
Neil Simon's THE SUNSHINE BOYS Takes The Stage At The Round Barn Theatre (Oct 8, 2019)
Amish Acres To Close Following Its 50th Anniversary Finale (Nov 18, 2019)
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is Coming to The Round Barn Theatre (Nov 4, 2019)
Neil Simon's THE SUNSHINE BOYS Takes The Stage At The Round Barn Theatre (Oct 8, 2019)
BIO
Richard Pletcher (Executive Producer) founded Amish Acres with his father, LaVern in 1968. The Amish farm was preserved and restored, and is now listed in The National Register of Historic Places. Following a one year experiment with dinner theatre in 1971, he added musical theatre to the farm's historic interpretation by producing Plain and Fancy in the Locke Township Meeting House in 1986. It moved to its permanent residence in The Round Barn Theatre in 1992. The musical has been running for 29 consecutive years, having surpassed 3,700 performances in front of over 355,000 audience members. Plain and Fancy's Tony Award® winning author Joseph Stein and Tony Award® winning composer Albert Hague have attended Plain and Fancy at Amish Acres.
At Joseph Stein’s urging, Amish Acres became a regional musical repertory theatre in 1996 with the addition of five shows in rotating repertory with Plain and Fancy each season. Amish Acres has now produced over 100 Broadway musicals and The Round Barn Theatre stage is named for and dedicated to Joseph Stein. Seven of Mr. Stein’s musicals have been produced at The Round Barn Theatre, including Plain and Fancy, Fiddler on the Roof, The Baker’s Wife, and Zorba, plus staged readings of Take Me Along, Rags, Carmelina and a Second Stage production of Enter Laughing.
In October of 2006, Dick and his wife Susan were guests of Joseph and Elisa Stein in New York City for the York Theatre’s Mufti Series production of Plain and Fancy, the last in a month long, three show festival of Stein’s work that included Take Me Along and Carmelina. Artistic Director James Morgan recognized Amish Acres’ 20 year production of Plain and Fancy in the program and in his introductions from the stage. The Pletchers’ and Jeremy Littlejohn attended the Oscar Hammerstein Lifetime Achievement Award in Musical Theatre for Joseph Stein at the York Theatre in 2007. Stein was further inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in February of 2008. He passed away in 2010 and the Joseph Stein Memorial Fund was created to provide free season tickets for children.
News
Amish Acres To Close Following Its 50th Anniversary Finale
Amish Acres will close after the fireworks finale of the New Year's Eve Celebration and Cabaret which concludes its 50th anniversary year. The founding Pletcher is retiring. The historic farm and heritage resort includes a 400-seat restaurant, 400-seat performing arts theatre, and numerous shops. They are all created from authentic structures moved to the site that include pre-Civil War log buildings and hand-hewn barns. The farm's land and buildings will be sold at auction by Schrader Auction Co. from Columbia City, Indiana. A January date will be announced soon.
Amish Acres will close after the fireworks finale of the New Year's Eve Celebration and Cabaret which concludes its 50th anniversary year. The founding Pletcher is retiring. The historic farm and heritage resort includes a 400-seat restaurant, 400-seat performing arts theatre, and numerous shops. They are all created from authentic structures moved to the site that include pre-Civil War log buildings and hand-hewn barns. The farm's land and buildings will be sold at auction by Schrader Auction Co. from Columbia City, Indiana. A January date will be announced soon.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is Coming to The Round Barn Theatre
A tale as old as time in this Disney classic that tells the tale of an enchanted prince in the shape of a hideous beast and the intelligent woman who enters his life and must learn to love him if the curse is ever to be broken. Join the Beast, Belle, Gaston, Lefou, Lumiere, and friends as they embark on a grand journey filled with adventure, cheer, and learning to love. With the classic songs, a?oeBe Our Guest,a?? a?oeSomething There,a?? and a?oeBeauty and the Beast,a?? this will be a musical experience the whole family can share and enjoy.
A tale as old as time in this Disney classic that tells the tale of an enchanted prince in the shape of a hideous beast and the intelligent woman who enters his life and must learn to love him if the curse is ever to be broken. Join the Beast, Belle, Gaston, Lefou, Lumiere, and friends as they embark on a grand journey filled with adventure, cheer, and learning to love. With the classic songs, a?oeBe Our Guest,a?? a?oeSomething There,a?? and a?oeBeauty and the Beast,a?? this will be a musical experience the whole family can share and enjoy.
Neil Simon's THE SUNSHINE BOYS Takes The Stage At The Round Barn Theatre
The Sunshine Boys tells the story of Al Lewis and Willie Clark, two faded stars of the Vaudeville circuit, once beloved and now mostly forgotten. At their height, Lewis and Clark made multiple appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and headlined all the major performance venues.
The Sunshine Boys tells the story of Al Lewis and Willie Clark, two faded stars of the Vaudeville circuit, once beloved and now mostly forgotten. At their height, Lewis and Clark made multiple appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and headlined all the major performance venues.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES Takes The Stage At The Round Barn Theatre
Audiences of all ages will fall in love with Anne in this refreshing, contemporary telling of the classic story. Stern Marilla and her warm-hearted brother Matthew hoped to adopt a boy to work on their farm. But the orphanage sends young, befreckled Anne by mistake and changes their lives forever! This coming of age
Audiences of all ages will fall in love with Anne in this refreshing, contemporary telling of the classic story. Stern Marilla and her warm-hearted brother Matthew hoped to adopt a boy to work on their farm. But the orphanage sends young, befreckled Anne by mistake and changes their lives forever! This coming of age
Judges Announced For Amish Acres 57th Arts & Crafts Festival
Richard Pletcher, founder of the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival and Jennifer Pletcher Wysong, Marketplace Coordinator are pleased to announce the judges for the 57th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival.
Richard Pletcher, founder of the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival and Jennifer Pletcher Wysong, Marketplace Coordinator are pleased to announce the judges for the 57th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival.
Arts and Crafts Festival, The Forerunner Of Amish Acres, Celebrates 57 Years
The 57TH annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, August 1 - August 4, 2019 on the grounds of Amish Acres, an 80 acre historic Amish farm listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the longest running festivals dedicated to arts and crafts in the nation.
The 57TH annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, August 1 - August 4, 2019 on the grounds of Amish Acres, an 80 acre historic Amish farm listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the longest running festivals dedicated to arts and crafts in the nation.
BIG RIVER Flows Into The Round Barn Theatre
Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a musical that retells the wonderful, family adventures of Huck Finn and the slave Jim, as they ride the Mississippi! Their shared journey of discovery proves humorous, suspenseful and heartwarming. This is a coming-of-age story about equality, acceptance, standing up for what is right, faith, heart, and freedom.
Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a musical that retells the wonderful, family adventures of Huck Finn and the slave Jim, as they ride the Mississippi! Their shared journey of discovery proves humorous, suspenseful and heartwarming. This is a coming-of-age story about equality, acceptance, standing up for what is right, faith, heart, and freedom.
FREAKY FRIDAY Comes to The Round Barn Theatre
In the musical "Freaky Friday" the plot's main twist, a mother and a daughter magically switching bodies, is a nightmare for the characters, but a dream come true for the actors! Imagine -- establishing one character then getting to switch with a fellow actor and playing a totally different character.
In the musical "Freaky Friday" the plot's main twist, a mother and a daughter magically switching bodies, is a nightmare for the characters, but a dream come true for the actors! Imagine -- establishing one character then getting to switch with a fellow actor and playing a totally different character.
FREAKY FRIDAY Takes The Stage At The Round Barn Theatre
Sarajane Mullins (Miss Hannigan in 2019's Annie) returns to The Round Barn Theatre as Katherine Blake, an overworked mother on the eve of her wedding day. During one of her frequent arguments with her contrary teenage daughter, Ellie, (played here by Megan Arrington making her RBT debut) the two magically swap bodies. They have just one day to put things right again before Mom's big day.
Sarajane Mullins (Miss Hannigan in 2019's Annie) returns to The Round Barn Theatre as Katherine Blake, an overworked mother on the eve of her wedding day. During one of her frequent arguments with her contrary teenage daughter, Ellie, (played here by Megan Arrington making her RBT debut) the two magically swap bodies. They have just one day to put things right again before Mom's big day.
Plain And Fancy Opens Its 33rd Season At The Round Barn Theatre
Plain and Fancy will begin its 33rd Anniversary season at The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres on Wednesday, May 15th at 8:00. With over 3,700 performances before more than 355,000 patrons, it has become one of the longest running musicals anywhere.
Plain and Fancy will begin its 33rd Anniversary season at The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres on Wednesday, May 15th at 8:00. With over 3,700 performances before more than 355,000 patrons, it has become one of the longest running musicals anywhere.
The Round Barn Theatre Opens The 2019 Season With LIFE COULD BE A DREAM
The award-winning jukebox musical, Life Could Be a Dream, opens the 2019 Round Barn Theatre Season. Meet fledgling doo-wop singing group Denny and the Dreamers as they prepare to enter the Big Wopper Radio contest and realize their dreams of making it to the big time.
The award-winning jukebox musical, Life Could Be a Dream, opens the 2019 Round Barn Theatre Season. Meet fledgling doo-wop singing group Denny and the Dreamers as they prepare to enter the Big Wopper Radio contest and realize their dreams of making it to the big time.
The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres Announces Its 2019 Local Auditions
The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres, Nappanee, Indiana, and Executive Producer Richard Pletcher, Artistic Director Jerry O'Boyle and Managing Artistic Director Ryan Schisler, are seeking resident company members for its nine month 2019 season of rotating repertory theatre Nappanee, Indiana March 9 & 10, 2019. The ensemble will include dozens of non-union actor/singer/dancers and technical staff. The 2019 season will include Plain and Fancy, Life Could Be a Dream, Freaky Friday, Big River, Anne of Green Gables, The Sunshine Boys and Beauty and the Beast.
The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres, Nappanee, Indiana, and Executive Producer Richard Pletcher, Artistic Director Jerry O'Boyle and Managing Artistic Director Ryan Schisler, are seeking resident company members for its nine month 2019 season of rotating repertory theatre Nappanee, Indiana March 9 & 10, 2019. The ensemble will include dozens of non-union actor/singer/dancers and technical staff. The 2019 season will include Plain and Fancy, Life Could Be a Dream, Freaky Friday, Big River, Anne of Green Gables, The Sunshine Boys and Beauty and the Beast.
The Round Barn Theatre At Amish Acres Announces Its 2019 Local Auditions
The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres, Nappanee, Indiana, and Executive Producer Richard Pletcher, Artistic Director Jerry O'Boyle and Managing Artistic Director Ryan Schisler, are seeking resident company members for its nine month 2019 season of rotating repertory theatre Nappanee, Indiana March 9 & 10, 2019. The ensemble will include dozens of non-union actor/singer/dancers and technical staff. The 2019 season will include Plain and Fancy, Life Could Be a Dream, Freaky Friday, Big River, Anne of Green Gables, The Sunshine Boys and Beauty and the Beast.
The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres, Nappanee, Indiana, and Executive Producer Richard Pletcher, Artistic Director Jerry O'Boyle and Managing Artistic Director Ryan Schisler, are seeking resident company members for its nine month 2019 season of rotating repertory theatre Nappanee, Indiana March 9 & 10, 2019. The ensemble will include dozens of non-union actor/singer/dancers and technical staff. The 2019 season will include Plain and Fancy, Life Could Be a Dream, Freaky Friday, Big River, Anne of Green Gables, The Sunshine Boys and Beauty and the Beast.
Sarajane Mullins, Amish Acres' Original ANNIE, Returns After Twenty Years As Miss Hannigan
The Round Barn Theatre first produced "Annie" in 1996, its first year of repertory theatre. Nine year old Sarajane Morse Mullins captured the hearts of that first year's audience as the world's most famous redhead. Now twenty-two years later, Sarajane returns as Miss Hannigan on the same stage she began her professional career. Annie's red dress has been passed to Maddi Reese Ames, the next generation of budding starlets. It promises to be a special homecoming and debut for the two actresses and audiences.
The Round Barn Theatre first produced "Annie" in 1996, its first year of repertory theatre. Nine year old Sarajane Morse Mullins captured the hearts of that first year's audience as the world's most famous redhead. Now twenty-two years later, Sarajane returns as Miss Hannigan on the same stage she began her professional career. Annie's red dress has been passed to Maddi Reese Ames, the next generation of budding starlets. It promises to be a special homecoming and debut for the two actresses and audiences.
LEND ME A TENOR Takes Stage At The Round Barn Theatre
It's the biggest night in the history of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. World-famous tenor, Tito Merelli, is to perform Pagliacci at the 50th Anniversary season opener.
It's the biggest night in the history of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. World-famous tenor, Tito Merelli, is to perform Pagliacci at the 50th Anniversary season opener.
World-Premiere Musical THE WHITE BUGGYThe White Buggy Comes to Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre
The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres presents the premiere of a new musical, 'The White Buggy,' Book and Lyrics by Frank Ramirez, Music and Lyrics by Steve Engle, Conceived by Richard Pletcher. One Night Only, Monday, September 17, at 8:00 PM. Tickets $15, groups of ten or more $10, special Haystack Dinner $9.95 served 6:00 - 7:00 PM. For reservations and information call the box office at 800-800-4942.
The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres presents the premiere of a new musical, 'The White Buggy,' Book and Lyrics by Frank Ramirez, Music and Lyrics by Steve Engle, Conceived by Richard Pletcher. One Night Only, Monday, September 17, at 8:00 PM. Tickets $15, groups of ten or more $10, special Haystack Dinner $9.95 served 6:00 - 7:00 PM. For reservations and information call the box office at 800-800-4942.
The Round Barn Theatre Presents HAPPY DAYS, A New Musical
Happy days are here again with Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph and the unforgettable 'king of cool' Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzarelli. Based on the hit Paramount Pictures television series, Happy Days-A New Musical reintroduces one of America's best loved families, the Cunninghams- yes, Howard, Marion and Joanie are here too- to a whole new generation of kids and parents. The famed drive-in malt shop and number one hangout, Arnold's, is in danger of demolition. So the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and a TV-worthy wrestling match. Even Pinky Tuscadero, Fonzie's childhood sweetheart, returns to help and- lo and behold!- they rekindle their old flame.
Happy days are here again with Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph and the unforgettable 'king of cool' Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzarelli. Based on the hit Paramount Pictures television series, Happy Days-A New Musical reintroduces one of America's best loved families, the Cunninghams- yes, Howard, Marion and Joanie are here too- to a whole new generation of kids and parents. The famed drive-in malt shop and number one hangout, Arnold's, is in danger of demolition. So the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and a TV-worthy wrestling match. Even Pinky Tuscadero, Fonzie's childhood sweetheart, returns to help and- lo and behold!- they rekindle their old flame.
Judges Announced For Amish Acres 56th Arts & Crafts Festival
Richard Pletcher, founder of the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival and Jennifer Pletcher Wysong, Marketplace Coordinator are pleased to announce the judges for the 56th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival.
Richard Pletcher, founder of the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival and Jennifer Pletcher Wysong, Marketplace Coordinator are pleased to announce the judges for the 56th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival.
The Round Barn Theatre Is Featuring The Love Affair Of The Generation…The Laugh Affair Of The Century
Barry Manilow's unforgettable hit song is brought to life onstage in this entertaining nightclub spectacle. 'Her name was Lola. She was a showgirl....' So begins this tale of romance and stardom that has captivated audiences across the globe. With sensational originality, Barry Manilow's Copacabana is a show that will leave you breathless.
Barry Manilow's unforgettable hit song is brought to life onstage in this entertaining nightclub spectacle. 'Her name was Lola. She was a showgirl....' So begins this tale of romance and stardom that has captivated audiences across the globe. With sensational originality, Barry Manilow's Copacabana is a show that will leave you breathless.
Jerry O' Boyle Returns To The Round Barn Theatre's Stage
Jerry O'Boyle, returning Artistic Director, will open the 32nd annual production of "Plain and Fancy" at The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres reprising his role playing the part of Jacob Yoder for the first 3 weeks of the May 23rd through October 13th run. O'Boyle has played the family's patriarch and pivotal character over 800 times in the Locke Township Meeting House and on the Joseph Stein Stage. He has been associated with the flagship production for the last three decades. After seven years as Artistic Director, he spent four years on the international tour of the Broadway hit "Hairspray" playing Edna Turnblad the frazzled mother of her full of life daughter Tracy. During the four year stint, he once again played the musical's pivotal character over 800 times-200 performances per year.
Jerry O'Boyle, returning Artistic Director, will open the 32nd annual production of "Plain and Fancy" at The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres reprising his role playing the part of Jacob Yoder for the first 3 weeks of the May 23rd through October 13th run. O'Boyle has played the family's patriarch and pivotal character over 800 times in the Locke Township Meeting House and on the Joseph Stein Stage. He has been associated with the flagship production for the last three decades. After seven years as Artistic Director, he spent four years on the international tour of the Broadway hit "Hairspray" playing Edna Turnblad the frazzled mother of her full of life daughter Tracy. During the four year stint, he once again played the musical's pivotal character over 800 times-200 performances per year.
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