(L-R) Paul Smith, Dave Edwards, Natalie Clouser, Josh Lewis, Taegen Hartman

(L-R) Dwight Driever, Josh Lewis, Sue Mattinson, Larry Tillman, Tom Frysinger

Tom, Josh, Jon Mercer

(L-R) Dwight, Kim Breeze, Josh, Karl Loveless, Dave, Jon

(L-R) Tonya Driever, Kaitlyn Segrest, Taegen, Tom, Dave, Josh, part of Paul, and Natalie

(Front) Kim, Paul, Dwight, Josh

(L-R) Kaitlyn, Taegen, Arlene Morrow, Karl, Judy Burton, Paul, Josh, Luke Farmer, Jon Mercer

(L-R) Larry, Josh, Judy, Dave

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Gram-Ezell

The 2012 South Charleston Opera House Players present South Charleston’s spring stage play: Vintage Hitchcock, A Live Radio Play,

Friday and Saturday nights, April 13, 14 and 20, 21. Tickets by phone available through Charleston Pharmacy and, as available, at the door. 7:30PM start times. Charleston Pharmacy: 937-462-8331, credit cards accepted. Doors open at 7PM. 37 South Chillicothe St (State Route 41) in the heart of historic South Charleston, Ohio (southeastern Clark county). Or phone 937-462-0336 for the direct Opera House Player line.

You’ll “see” performed live on stage three short-story suspense thrillers, each previously done by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. Three shows wrapped inside another show, that of a post-war ’40s live radio studio outside Gotham. Close your eyes from time to time to let your imagination run, but don’t close them long because the action, sounds, and tunes are on the stage.

Front view of the Opera House on Rt 41, a block and a half south of US 42.

From the script writer: “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play” is an evening of adaptations of three early films directed by Alfred Hitchcock: The Lodger, Sabotage and The 39 Steps. These stories come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast, with several actors playing dozens of characters, live sound effects and musical underscoring.

Actress Agnes Moorehead appeared in the 1947 radio adaptation of "The Lodger."

From the publishers: Spies, murder, love, and other trademarks of Alfred Hitchcock come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast of the master of suspense’s earlier films. With The Lodger, Sabotage and The 39 Steps, Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play is a triple feature, complete with vintage commercials, that recreates a daring train chase, a serial killer’s ominous presence, and a devastating explosion through the magic of live sound effects and musical underscoring.

Newspaper write-up from The Messenger

(L-R) Tonya Driever, Natalie Clouser, Dave Edwards, Paul Smith, Karl Loveless, Sue Mattinson and many more star in the show. This shot is from a later practice.

Natalie Clouser readies for her turn at a mic

1940s costumes: Tonya Driever, Paul Smith, Natalie Clouser, & Tom Frysinger

Dave Edwards, Sue Mattinson, Paul Smith

Bad guy, Tom Frysinger (center)

Nate Berrier, Patrick Dempsey, Dave Edwards plan the audio system

Larry Tillman, Tonya Driever, Sue Mattinson, & Paul Smith

Sound effect maestro, Dwight Driever, with Paul Smith

Patrick Dempsey mans the mixer, Nate Berrier plans extraordinary special effects

The stage play was written as a derivative work by Joe Landry. The original stories are in the public domain:
The Lodger: A Tale of the London Fog (1913) by Marie Adelaide Belloe Lowndes
The Secret Agent (1907) by Joseph Conrad (the basis of Sabotage)
The 39 Steps (1915) by John Buchan

Cast (in general order of appearance):

Paul Smith
Karl Loveless
Josh Lewis
Kaitlyn Segrest
Taegen Hartman
Larry Gochenour
David Edwards
Arlene Morrow
Luke Farmer
Jon Mercer
Dwight Driever
Sue Mattinson
Larry Tillman
Tom Frysinger
Natalie Clouser
Judy Burton
Tonya Driever
Kim Breeze

Crew & Contributors beyond the scenes:
Patrick Dempsey
Nate Berrier
Gary Kaufman
Taylor Cason
Geoff Schneider
Bryan Brightman

Vintage radio commercials for your amusement

View of the proscenium theater from the rear balcony. (It looks far away, but isn't, and the acoustics are great!) Seats about 240.

We’re located in the center of the village of South Charleston, Ohio, on State Route 41, one & a half blocks south of US Rt 42.

Map, directions, and contact info

View Larger Map

A past midsummer Grand Ball photographed from the balcony

The tradition continues! For the seventh summer in a row, the Heritage Commission will host the Midsummer’s Eve Grand Ball at the Opera House, June 16th, from 8:00 to 10:00 in the evening. Genteel ladies in hoop skirts will dance with dashing Civil War soldiers to the strains of live music played by The Wind’s Dance.

No dance experience is necessary! All dances will be instructed at the Ball by dancemaster Jim Ruley, and a free dance practice will be held on May 15th at the Opera House, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. A wide variety of hors d’oeuves and desserts will be served.

Period attire is requested, but not required; modern formalwear is welcome. Soldiers are asked to please refrain from wearing hobnail boots. Many such Civil War events are taking place during this observance of the 150th anniversary of the war years, but few are as interactive and exciting as a dance.

Won’t you join us? Tickets are $25 per person, $45 per couple, with well-behaved children under age 10 free of charge (suggested donation).

Please call the Charleston Pharmacy to make your reservations at 937-462-8331.

Questions about the Midsummer’s Eve Grand Ball? Please contact dance managers Julia Sutherly at 937-360-5527 (circadesigns@hotmail.com), or Kay Ruley at 937-462-7332.

Summer Stock practices go into full gear as soon as school is out for the year

South Charleston Opera House, 35 South Chillicothe St, South Charleston

Looking for cast members for Summer Stock, from teens to octogenarians.

Contact: 937-462-0336 (voice and text), or email

View of the proscenium theater from the rear balcony

Younger cast members having fun warming up for their 14-minute spoof of Henry the 5th.

In this year’s spring show you’ll see a new tack, a live radio play performed on stage complete with old time live sounds effects. Vintage Hitchcock, A Live Radio Play, comes to your restored 1880′s Opera House Theater April 13, 14 and 20, 21, 2012, that’s the two weekends after Easter.

Tickets are a surprisingly low $6, plus popcorn and soft drinks offered for a donation. All proceeds go to the South Charleston Heritage Commission, a non-profit organization created to restore and maintain our local small town Americana heritage.

The front of South Charleston's Town Hall and Opera House, 37 & 35 South Chillicothe St, S. Charleston, Ohio. Rt 41 a block and a half south of US 42.

For more information contact us, 937-462-0336 (voice or text)

* We’re always scouting for acting talent for roles ranging from occasional bit parts to future starring roles! We need actors, experienced or wanna-bees, for Summer Stock, slated for June 23 & 23, 2012.

The 5th Annual New Year’s Eve Grand Ball
at the South Charleston Opera House,
35 S. Chillicothe St., South Charleston, Ohio.
Friday, December 31st, from 9:00 p.m. to midnight.
Tickets are $25 per person, $45 for a couple.
Well-behaved children under age 10 are free!

All proceeds support the work of the Heritage Commission of South Charleston, and their efforts to preserve the history of the area.

Optional free dance practice at the Opera House on
Tuesday, November 30th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
(Casual dress for the practice, but remember to wear your dance shoes!)

A swirling room full of dancers in Victorian costume . . . a table heaped high with sugared desserts . . . live music to delight the ear . . . the reunion of old friends . . . a toast to celebrate the turning of the year . . . all these wonderful things go into the annual Civil War-era themed New Year’s Eve Ball.  Don’t sit on the couch and fall asleep this year!  Put on your finest clothing, learn a new dance, share a laugh and a smile with friends old and new, and enjoy with us an elegant evening back in time.  We’re looking forward to seeing you!

New this year:  Tickets may now be reserved by credit card by calling The Charleston Pharmacy at 937-462-8331.

Two pdf files with more information, including a mailer: Click Here

Local vendors will be on hand with items for sale. Food will be served, including plenty of homemade gingerbread and our famous bean soup.

A small Civil War encampment will be featured, sponsored by the 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry re-enactors, and horse drawn carriage rides will be given by Willow Wind Carriage Service.

Tours of the c.1820 log settlers house will be given, with cooking demonstrations done over the hearth fire. Live music by the Springfield Dulcimer Society will round out this fun, family-friendly day in the village of South Charleston. Vendors may contact 937-462-7277 for more information about setting up a free booth or table.

Musical entertainment by the Springfield Dulcimer Society, and Elixir (www.elixirsings.com) a trio playing 19th century folk music, reimagined.

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Two plays, “On Line” and “Bridge,” both written by David Edwards. Produced by Rick Burton, Directed by Karl Loveless & David Edwards.

Cast members:

Kim Breeze, Aaron Brewer, Ashley Coleman, David Edwards, Luke Farmer, Kelly Hale, Claire Heister, Earl Hoover, Linda Hoover, Drew Loveless, Paul Smith, Brenda Tovar, & Rhianna Wyss

Writer/Director David Edwards (far right) gets a round of applause

Scene from "Bridge," an original play written by David Edwards

Back stage, moments before the curtain opened on the stage play, "On Line," Saturday, June 19th, 2010

Interested in joining the South Charleston Opera House Players? Contact Karl Loveless (937-462-8191) or Rick Burton (937-462-7417). Stay tuned to this site for announcements of tryouts. Actors, playwrights, and stage hands wanted. Subscribe to the RSS feed below.