University of Virginia Library

Local Dinner Theatre
Thrives At Albemarle

By GEORGE WILKINSON

Patrick Stoner And Mark Hattan In Scene From "Oklahoma!"

Current Production At Albemarle Playhouse Through September 18

The theatre isn't any larger than
the Newcomb Hall lounge. And the
stage (although it is probably the
largest of its kind in a dinner
theatre on the east coast) appears
to be no larger than a dorm room.

The staff is small, the actors
few. Yet the plays are of a wide
variety and done extremely well.

The place is Albemarle
Playhouse, where managing director
Patrick Stoner has scheduled shows
this winter with emphasis upon
appealing to the University student.

Generally, dinner theatres offer
a strictly musical comedy schedule.
However, Mr. Stoner plans to
present a greater variety of
productions, ranging from
Shakespeare (performed this
summer) to Agatha Christie's
"Mousetrap" (which will be
performed in December and is the
longest running play in London's
West End).

In an attempt to attract a larger
number of financially restricted
University students, Mr. Stoner will
offer discounts, a special
two-for-one offer in October, and
the aforementioned wide range of
plays.

The Playhouse, located on
Route 250 west of Charlottesville,
serves a buffet dinner with wine
and beer, and then performs the
play from the specially built
elevator stage set in the middle of
the room.

Several of the staff and actors at
the Playhouse are members of the
University. Close cooperation is
given to the Albemarle Playhouse
by David Weiss and Roger Boyle,
members of the University Drama
Department.

Currently, the production of
"Oklahoma," which will run
through September 18, is drawing
large crowds from the
Charlottesville area. Upcoming
productions will include "Bell,
Book, and Candle," John Van
Druten's romantic comedy, "Irma
La Douce," a musical comedy
about a prostitute, and "Cabaret,"
a musical about life in prewar
Berlin.