We are slowly going through all the stuff we have stored in our basement, in an attempt to downsize. Some things are easy to go through and get rid of, other stuff… not so much. I find it easier if I can go through boxes while sitting outside on our deck. The weather was conducive for that when going through my playbill box several weeks ago.
I have collected playbills over the years. After each performance, when I stashed a playbill into the designated box I kept downstairs, I thought to myself, it will be fun to go through these someday. Well, that “someday” has arrived. And it was a lot of fun!
I have saved a lot of playbills. Although I tried, I can’t say I’ve saved one from every play or concert I’ve been to, but there were hundreds, a box full, dating back many years…into the late 70’s. I found it interesting that some playbills did not have the year on the program. Really?! And one or two didn’t even have the name of the theatre.
I have always liked going to plays and concerts and had fun looking at the many different playbills from those I’ve attended. I looked over each one of them.
The most memorable was from 1979, The Red Glove Review in Sidney, Ohio because I danced in that performance. It was a community event I auditioned for, was selected, attended rehearsals, and danced in the production. I enjoyed that a lot.
I separated the playbills into various piles. There was a large pile from St. Olaf (with a few from Carleton). Other venues included: Northfield High School – band concerts and plays,
The NAG – Northfield Arts Guild (our community theater), various church programs, our boy’s recitals and science fair programs, the Merlin Players in Faribault and the Paradise Center for the Arts, Eisenhower Community Theatre (Hopkins), Commonweal Theatre, Old Log Theater (it has recently closed),
Northrup Auditorium, Children’s Theater, The Ordway, Orchestra Hall,
Taylor University, Calvin College, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre,
Sight & Sound Theatre in Pennsylvania and Missouri,
Rock & Roll Revival and Over & Back venues in Northfield.
I also have playbills from a concerts/plays we attended in Vienna and London.
My favorite all-time story is The Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. I watch a DVD every Christmas season and have attended many plays in different venues over the years.
I will continue to go to The Christmas Carol productions when the opportunity presents itself.
Another event was my first and only opera; La Finta Giardiniera…an Opera Buffa by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It was held at my favorite venue on St. Olaf’s campus, Urness Recital Hall in 2006, and performed by St. Olaf students. The definition of Opera Buffa is: “a lighthearted and often very funny form of opera that typically depicts everyday characters dealing with everyday problems”. I don’t remember the plot of this opera buffa. I do remember thinking it will be the last opera I attend. Ha!
These days, the new mode of operation for some venues is to recycle the programs to reuse for other performances. From now on I will try (old habits die hard) to leave my playbill behind, as I will no longer be collecting them.
I believe going through this box is one of several trips down memory lane in store for me.