Monday, August 13, 2007 1:03 AM CDT
Leonard Anderson rates a curtain call for impact on LOTS
By BILL LAIR, Managing Editor
blair@jg-tc.com
Guy Little Jr. gets the bulk of the credit for the longtime success of The Little Theatre on the Square, and rightly so.
The musical theater was Little’s idea 50 years ago. It was through his guidance and his connections to professional theater that the playhouse in Sullivan was able to grow with celebrity stars for many years.
No one can question Little’s influence on the theater.
But it’s been a couple of weeks since it was revealed that Leonard Anderson had resigned as executive director of The Little Theatre and I think Anderson deserves some praise for his contributions to The Little Theatre’s evolution.
The organization has certainly undergone some tremendous changes since Anderson became executive director of The Little Theatre on Jan. 1, 1988.
For one thing, there have been major improvements to the theater itself. Through fund-raising and grants, the stage and seating area was improved, and the entire facility was renovated.
It no longer looks like a 1940s-’50s converted movie theater.
In addition, under Anderson’s tenure, the programs went year-round, instead of continuing as solely a summer stock theater.
The change began when the Little presented a Christmas show in the mid-1990s and gradually expanded until this past winter there was a complete schedule.
I have enjoyed such “off-season” programs as the Red Skelton and Jack Benny tributes, comedian Barry Martin, “Rave On!,” the Buddy Holly tribute, and last fall’s “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!” Beatles show. Both of the latter shows featured Billy McGuigan as lead singer and they were great additions to the theater lineup.
Also, during Anderson’s time as executive director, the Little Theatre has added children’s programs, conducted classes for young people in dancing and drama, and taken several performances on the road to area schools.
I don’t know what precipitated Anderson’s resignation before the end of the current season.
I just think everyone who enjoys the shows at The Little Theatre owes some thanks to Leonard Anderson for what he brought to improve on an “East Central Illinois Treasure” that already was shining brightly.
Both Guy Little and Leonard Anderson have done a great job in building, sustaining and upgrading professional musical theater in East Central Illinois.
On a personal note, I appreciate that Leonard also is a fan of “Man of La Mancha,” the musical adaptation of Cervantes’ classic, “Don Quixote.”
It’s my favorite musical. I see it every chance I get and have for more than 30 years.
Leonard told me once that he also was a big fan of the show, although it doesn’t seem to have the same drawing power at the Little as some of the other musicals.
That’s too bad. But the Little did it a few years back, and it was excellent — just as every other show has been that I have seen at The Little Theatre on the Square since Leonard Anderson served as executive director.
Here’s hoping the next executive director can build on the sturdy foundation laid by Guy Little Jr. and Leonard Anderson.
I got a kick out of Dawn Schabbing’s article last week about Don Pennefather, who sits on his front porch in Mattoon and waves to passing motorists.
“It brightens my day to see everyone wave and honk. I hope it brightens their day,” he said.
Well, that story sure brightened my day.
Not to be a Pollyanna, but I think we all could use more people who smile and wave at other folks, whether or not they know them.
His story reminds me of how Larry Shobe, groundskeeper at Eastern Illinois University, made a positive first impression on current EIU President Bill Perry.
When Perry was first interviewed off-campus about becoming the university’s next president, he decided to visit the campus anonymously one day.
Unannounced, he drove to Charleston and walked the campus.
One of the first people he met was Shobe, who, as is normal, was out taking care of some landscaping chore that helps keep the campus beautiful.
Even though Shobe did not know who this stranger was, he was friendly and helpful to Perry. During his formal visit to campus later, Perry mentioned the friendly nature of Shobe that gave him a favorable early view of the institution.
Someone driving past Pennefather’s house also would get a positive impression of Mattoon.
Pennefather, who was forced to stop working for health reasons, now says greeting folks from his porch is his “9-to-5 job.”
It sounds like he is taking care of business. It doesn’t take a lot of skill to smile, wave and be friendly to others.
With a little practice, you might be as good at it as Don Pennefather!
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The Question wrote on Aug 13, 2007 8:09 AM: