Performances
Trumpet in the Land
Written by PAUL GREEN / Music by FRANK LEWIN
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Trumpet in the Land , Ohio's official state play and longest running outdoor theatre production, brings to life the tragic but inspiring story of David Zeisberger and his Christian Deleware followers as they struggled to preserve their peaceful settlement despite the growing violence of the Revolutionary War.
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The story begins in 1772 in the heart of the Ohio wilderness. Ziesberger, a Moravian minister has just arrived in the Ohio valley with dreams of building the first settlement in the wilderness, Schoenbrunn. Meanwhile, tempers between the British and Americans flair, eventually leading to the start of the Revolutionary War.
When the Revolutionary War breaks out, Zeisberger and his followers find themselves caught between the British at Fort Detroit and the Americans at Fort Pitt. By refusing to take sides in the struggle, Zeisberger and his people incur the wrath of both warring parties, eventually leading to the brutal massacre of 96 Christian Delaware at Gnadenhutten in 1782 by a band of American militiamen. President Teddy Roosevelt, a noted historian, called the event "a stain on the frontier character that time cannot wash away."
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The performance is full of unforgettable historical characters including Simon Girty, a conniving border renegade who agitated for all-out war in the region; Captain Pipe, a young warrior chief whose hatred of all white men for the killing of his father added to the dangers facing the missionaries; and John Heckewelder, one of the first explorers of the "Ohio country."
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Written by Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Paul Green, Trumpet in the Land is set in the very hills once traveled by those portrayed in the show and handpicked by the author. Watch the warm summer nights come alive with beautiful horses, brilliant fire dances, authentic looking costumes, fiery battle pyrotechnics and a beautiful natural setting.
The White Savage
​Written by Joseph Bonamico and Mark H. Durbin / Music by Frank Lewin
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The White Savage outdoor drama was performed in repertory with Trumpet in the Land for twenty years before retiring from the stage at the end of the 2016 season. For twenty years of The White Savage and thirty-seven years of Trumpet in the Land, the infamous Simon Girty was portrayed by co-author Joseph Bonamico. Sadly, Joe passed away on September 21, 2024, and to honor his untimely passing, a special “reader’s” theatre production of The White Savage will be presented on three select nights in July. Actors will gather, on stage, to read from the original script to once again bring this captivating story to life. In August, a rare screen version of The White Savage can be viewed on stage at The Joseph Bonamico Memorial Pavilion.
This spectacular outdoor drama told the story of frontier legend Simon Girty, a border renegade who was labeled, justly or unjustly as a “savage” due to his alliance with the Native Americans and the British during the American Revolution. His loyalty to the Native Americans and his savagery in battle were legendary and soon the myth overwhelmed the man. His name brought fear to all along the frontier in the late eighteenth century.
Simon Girty is a very complex, three-dimensional character, as fierce as any, yet still willing to put his life on the line to plead for strangers’ lives. He is a very misunderstood man thrust into an extraordinary and explosive situation, but with the death of Colonel Crawford in 1782, he became from that moment on “Simon Girty, The White Savage”.
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Readers’ Theatre production - July 5, 10, 23, 2025 * 7:00 P.M.
Screening – August 13, 2025 * 7:00 P.M.
Cinderella
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Music by RICHARD RODGERS / Book & Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Adapted for the Stage by Tom Briggs / From the Teleplay by Robert L. Freedman
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The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. Share the magic as Cinderella is rewarded for her kindness and hard work with an enchanted evening at the Royal Ball. With the wave of her Fairy Godmother’s wand and a little Bibbidi-Bobbidi Boo, Cinderella’s dreams do come true. Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. Adapted for the stage, with great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, this romantic fairy tale, which includes such recognizable songs as “In My Own Little Corner”, “Ten Minutes Ago”, “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful” and “Impossible”, still warms the hearts of children and adults alike.
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Cinderella is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. http://www.concordtheatricals.com
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July 12, 18, 26 & August 1, 9, 2025 * 7:30 P.M.
Special Productions
Cinderella's Enchanted Breakfast
July 15, 22 & 29, 2025 * 10:00am
Step into a world of magic at Cinderella’s Enchanted Breakfast! Join Cinderella, along with Prince Charming, the stepsisters, the evil stepmother and the fairy godmother, for a delightful morning of storytelling, breakfast and fun. Have your little ones dress in prince and princess attire and enjoy a scrumptious breakfast of delicious options. Cost is $20.00 for adults and children 3 and older and includes breakfast, a Cinderella souvenir and character picture opportunities. Children under the age of 3 are free. Don’t wait, call today to reserve a seat at the royal table. Reservations required!
BROADWAY BOUND
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Enjoy a one-night only homage to Broadway musicals.
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Joseph Bonamico Memorial Pavilion Stage
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​Wednesday – August 6, 2025 * 7:00 P.M.​
$15.00 per person