The Oregon Straw Hat Players, which staged its first production in 1982, will celebrate its 40 years of community theater with two special performances Dec. 3-4.
The Oregon-area community theater company has produced 51 musicals, 19 plays and four concerts over its history, and engaged more than 1,900 people in the process of creating local theater.
The anniversary shows will include a membership gala on Saturday, Dec. 3, with a number of special events, including a musical revue touching on many of the shows from throughout the decades; and a public performance of the revue on Sunday, Dec. 4.
The Saturday night gala will also include appetizers and a cocktail hour; a museum-type exhibit of costumes, props and set memorabilia from many of the group’s shows; a silent auction, and a red carpet photo opportunity.
The event theme is Bringing Theater to The Community for a Reason, a Season, and a Lifetime.
Stan Hill and Wendy Jones Hill, who have long careers in the Madison area theater scene, will serve as hosts for both shows.
The performances will be held at Barnwood Events, 3230 Larson Rd., in Madison.
Tickets and additional events are available online at www.OSHPonline.org.
The event is also a celebration of the group’s return after two difficult years during the pandemic. The company was three weeks from opening a production in 2020 when Covid shut it down. The group stayed active with a streamed musical revue in 2021 and small group play readings via Zoom, and returned to the stage with Sweeney Todd this past summer.
For more information, contact Stan Hill, (608) 2198942; Wendy Jones Hill, (608) 712-0695; or Stephanie Drahozal, director, (785) 766-9832.
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Published on November 7, 2022
