The Clinton County Civic Theatre will set the stage for its 100th show this Thursday with a rendition of Kelly Barrett-Gibson’s “Reading Between the Lies” in the Frankfort Community Public Library Skanta Theatre.
The Civic Theatre will kick off its weekend of celebrations of the 100th show, 34 years in the making, on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., and shows will continue on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.
“Reading Between the Lies” is a farcical drama set in the 1940’s where a lot of theatre-connected individuals come together for a reading of a new play written by one of their friends. Director Luke McLaughlin commented that the show was selected for the 100th show with the intention of establishing a similar farcical atmosphere to the first show produced by the Clinton County Civic Theatre in 1990.
“It’s kind of akin to the very first show we ever did here, which was ‘See How They Run,’ which of course we did at The Barn last summer,” McLaughlin said. “We tried to find something that had those similar elements to ‘See How They Run.’ There’s some mystery. There’s some misguided action that you’re not really sure who’s who and why they’re doing what. It’s kind of spiritually connected to when we all started back in 1990.”
McLaughlin continued to express that his choice to produce a version of “Reading Between the Lies” was also rooted in a vision to bring new shows to the local area rather than producing similar shows to surrounding theatres in the region.
“In looking at shows for this year, I knew that they were kind of looking at me to potentially direct this show, so I looked for some farces—ones that I didn’t think had been done a whole lot of places—something different and new,” McLaughlin said. “I think that we fall into where the surrounding areas kind of do all the same shows over and over again, so I wanted to do something different. This was a newer show. At the time when we picked it, it had only been produced once, and the playwright was actually in one of the roles.”
McLaughlin, who is also heavily involved with the Red Barn Summer Theatre, commented that he enjoyed delving into “See How They Run” for the 2023 summer season, and the experience of partaking in the play last summer enlightened his decision for the production of “Reading Between the Lies.” For the 100th production, McLaughlin stated that some of the actors selected for the roles were a pivotal part of the first production in 1990.
“It’s kind of fun to revisit that information, and it’s fun for those who were in the show,” McLaughlin said. “There’s a couple people that are in this show that were actually in that production in 1990.”
Andrea Kreps, who plays Gwen, expressed that the process of bringing the show from a script to a theatrical performance with her castmates has been enlightening. Kreps stated that she has thoroughly enjoyed portraying Gwen, a washed-up actress clinging to her youth, and while she may be described as “a million years old,” a surprise twist allows her to explore her inner youth once more.
“It’s a really fun group of people, and everybody’s very humble and nobody gets upset with each other because we know everyone makes mistakes, but it’s been super fun,” Kreps said. “This is my favorite part when it gets down to the crunch time and the set is up, everyone is in their costumes and we’re putting on our battle makeup and getting ready to go.”
Adam Nichols, who portrays Joe Daniels, stated that while the second show of the season tends to have a shorter turnaround time due to holidays and weather concerns, the cast has exceeded expectations and has delivered a product worthy of the title of “the 100th show.” Nichols commented that he has honed his skills as a seasoned performer within the Civic Theatre to portray the quirky nature of Joe Daniels, the “best” director on Broadway who attends a read-through of his friend’s new play before a dramatic scene falls upon the group.
“This middle show of the season tends to have a shorter rehearsal schedule due to Christmas and sometimes bad weather and such, but with all that aside, I think we’ve all done our parts,” Nichols said. “I think with the group of people and the direction we’ve been under, it’s been really good.”
In celebration of the 100th show, Clinton County Civic Theatre will be hosting a celebration at 51 West from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24. The open house style event will be a plus-one event where anyone who has worked with Civic is welcome to attend, including actors, directors, board members, set builders, prop handlers, donors and more. The event will include a 50/50 drawing, photos and a plethora of memories to be explored before the show at 7:30 p.m.
“We’re hoping that a lot of people will come and just kind of celebrate this huge accomplishment,” McLaughlin said. “It’s a monumental accomplishment for this organization. When you set out to start Civic Theatre, you never know how long it’s going to last, so for us to make it 34 years and 100 productions, it’s a big deal, and we want people to come out and celebrate with us.”
Kreps echoed McLaughlin’s sentiment, stating that the organizers of the event have striven to provide the community with an outstanding event and opportunity to reminisce about the outstanding shows and atmospheres that have been created on the Civic Theatre stage.
“There’s been a lot of planning done behind the scenes, and there’s going to be a special event—a party before the show on Saturday—and they’re bringing all the different posters and people from shows past and doing memorials,” Kreps said. “There’s favors and there’s food, and it’s going to be a wonderful gathering of people who have been involved in Clinton County for a long time. I’m really excited about it. I can’t wait.”
Nichols expressed his excitement for the celebration as he will be connected once more with members of the community that he has grown to consider family through the Civic Theatre, and he commented that the memories will be flowing throughout the walls of 51 West.
“My first show here was back in, I want to say, 2005 when I was like 11 years old,” Nichols said. “I’ve been on and off the stage here ever since then and made a lot of friends, many of which I consider really close friends and family, so to be part of the hundredth is really special.”
As another token of celebration for the 100th show, McLaughlin will begin the shows with a recognition of those who have partaken in any Civic Theatre production that are in the audience for the special showcase.
“It’s not just the show that got us here,” McLaughlin said. “I think it’s important to thank every single person that has been a part of Civic because we could not have done it without every single person that has put in time on this stage. There has been thousands of hours poured into this organization.”
Beyond the festivities and the milestone that “Reading Between the Lies” is accompanied by during the 34th year of productions, Kreps expressed that the show is a must-see for audiences who enjoy comedy mixed with mystery topped with a sprinkle of chaos throughout the play.
“It’s a chance for people to get out of the house and come laugh and have fun and forget about everything that’s going on in their world right now being transported back to the 1940’s and just laughing along with the shenanigans that are going to happen,” Kreps said. “Come out and laugh at us in a good way. We want you to!”
“Reading Between the Lies” is a production that will have audiences gasping as twists and turns are revealed, and audience members will leave the Skanta Theatre looking back on clues that foreshadowed the twists that they missed on the first watch of the show.
The curtain will rise at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22 with shows continuing on Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. with the final show set for Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 765-654-6307, visiting ccctonline.org or purchasing a ticket at the door. Tickets are $12.
As a nod to the production, audiences are encouraged to tell their theatrical friends that the show begins at 6:30 p.m. to ensure that they arrive on time.
