This weekend, Friday & Saturday, Dec. 10 & 11, the Crothersville Town Players will hold a Reader’s Theater presentation of “Winter Fancies,” the poetry of Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley at Hamacher Hall in Crothersville. The doors open each evening at 5:30 pm, with the performance beginning at 6:00 pm. There is no charge for admission.
“It’s our way of saying ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has given us their support.” said Association President, Brenda Holzworth. “We could not be successful without our sponsors.”
Refreshments of cookies and punch will be served after the program.
CTP cast for “Winter Fancies” include Eunice Lacey, Brenda Holzworth, Linda Seals, Stacie Peters, Bill Nagle, Brenda Bradley, Carol Altepeter, Kyla Seal, Fire Fleetwood, Dorothy Rice, and Z. Madge Wilson. Stage Director for the event is Marcia Fleetwood.
James Whitcomb Riley, The Hoosier Poet, was born in 1849. He began his career in 1875 writing verses in nineteenth century Hoosier dialect for the Indianapolis Journal.
Of nearly one thousand humorous, or sentimental poems that Riley published, over half are in Hoosier dialect.
Initially finding it difficult to earn an income as a poet, Riley gradually rose in national prominence during the 1880s through his reading tours. He traveled a circuit with other humorists, holding shows and sharing the stage with other well known talents such as Mark Twain.
His death in 1916 made national news and his funeral was attended by thirty-five thousand people. Riley is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
The Crothersville Town Players is an association of performers from Jackson, and the surrounding Counties of Jennings, Scott, and Bartholomew
Memberships are available for $12 annually, or $6 for students. Monetary donations and volunteers are always welcomed.
For more information about The Crothersville Town Players, stop in at Aunt Samantha’s Gift Shop or call Brenda Holzworth at 793-2760.
