Wednesday, May 30, 2007 1:06 AM CDT
Little Theater gears up for 50th anniversary celebration
By KATE HENDERSON, Staff Writer
editorial@jg-tc.com
It took a long time for Guy Little to meet his first love.
But Little finally got to meet Joan Roberts a few years ago and now she will perform at his theater’s 50th anniversary.
When Little was, well, little, he got his hands on one of Broadway’s first recordings — the original “Oklahoma!” production with Roberts as Laurey.
“I played it probably 1,000 times and loved it!” the founder of the Little Theatre on the Square said. “I had a love affair with Joan Roberts.”
Little finally met Roberts three years ago when she was performing “Follies” in New York.
“I had written to her asking if I could take her to dinner,” Little explained.
He said he went backstage after the matinee to meet Roberts. After visiting for a half-hour the topic came up.
“Aren’t you going to take me to dinner?” Little said Roberts asked.
Little said he did take her to dinner where she had pasta with loads of sauce and a bottle of beer.
“Here she is in her 80s having all of this and she has to go back and do a performance,” Little said.
Roberts is one of many stars who have made lasting impressions on Little.
Many stars he has worked with over the years will return to the Little Theatre this weekend for its 50th anniversary celebration performance of “Follies.“
Roberts will play Heidi, who sings “One Last Kiss,” in the Little Theatre production.
Ann B. Davis, best-known for her role as Alice on TV’s The Brady Bunch, is one of those returning stars. She will be playing Hattie in “Follies.“
Davis played at the Little Theatre in 1963 in “Everybody Loves Opal.”
“Ann is a fabulous lady,” Little said. “I remember she was the only star that ever worked here to host a dinner for the apprentices at Jibby’s. Some would take the director or leading lady or leading man, but she hosted the entire apprentice company.”
Anna McNeely, who originated the role of Jennyanydots in “Cats,” will return to play Sally Durant Plummer in “Follies.” Little said he has known the Tower Hill native since she was a child who came to the theater with her mother, Bonnie, who performed in several shows.
“She always hung around backstage,” Little said. “She worked here for six seasons and did everything.”
Little said he also spoke at her wedding reception and has been close with McNeely’s family for three decades.
Little also holds fond memories of Bill and Susan (Seaforth) Hayes, who were on “Days of Our Lives” for many years and will now be returning to play Buddy and Carlotta in the production.
“I had seen Bill on Broadway and always thought the world of him,” Little said.
Little said the Hayes used to fly in between their show tapings and do five shows on the weekend, then fly back to Los Angeles for the week.
Returning couple Colleen Zenk Pinter and Mark Pinter are no strangers to stage and screen.
Both are known for their roles on daytime television. Zenk Pinter has played Barbara on “As The World Turns” for around 25 years, while Pinter has been seen on “All My Children” and “Law and Order.” His film credits include “Other People’s Money,” “Eden Myth,” “Season of Youth” and “Vanilla Sky.”
The Pinters will be playing Ben and Phyllis while two of their children will play the younger versions of their characters in “Follies.”
Zenk Pinter wasn’t cast at the Little Theatre the first time she auditioned, but that didn’t stop her dream. She tried again and was eventually cast in “They’re Playing Our Song” to sold-out crowds.
“I told so many young actors that not getting cast doesn’t mean you’re not talented,” Little said. “Sometimes you’re just not what the director or producer is looking for.“
Little said he’s looking forward to having the couple back.
“I’m madly in love with Colleen and her husband too,” Little said.
The returning stars all had good things to say about Little. They’re looking forward to their return to a theater where many of them got their start.
“The support that Guy has given me over the years has been tremendous,” McNeely said.
“Guy Little is a very dear friend of mine and marvelous performer himself,” said Roberts. “Guy is a great contribution to the theater world, he’s like a godsend. If you don’t believe in miracles just look at what he has accomplished at that theater. It’s amazing.“
Zenk Pinter said not only is Little good at what he does, he’s well-respected too.
“He’s so respected in this industry and everybody knows Guy Little,” she said. “You might think just because the theater is in Sullivan, Illinois, no one knows who he is, but everybody knows who he is.”
“Follies” will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, at 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. All tickets are $50. John Stephens, Little Theatre marketing director, said tickets are still available. Call the theatre box office at 728-7375 or toll free at 1-888-261-9675.
Anyone who purchases a ticket to “Follies” is also invited to join the cast and crew after the opening night performance for a Gala event where ticket holders can meet the stars. Admission is $10 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres. The event kicks off after the Friday night performance.
“Fifty years of consistent, wonderful shows in a small farming community is just incredible,” said Bill Hayes. “It’s proper that they do a gala and really show off.”
Contact Kate Henderson at khenderson@jg-tc.com or 238-6858
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 Ken Trevarthan (JG/T-C)
Little Theatre on the Square founder Guy Little, Jr. and LTOTS veteran Joan Roberts hold a book showing Roberts earlier on in her career as they sit Tuesday morning onstage at the theatre in Sullivan.
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