Pioneer Playhouse

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pioneer Playhouse
Pioneer Playhouse

The Pioneer Playhouse, located in Danville, Kentucky, is the oldest outdoor theater in the state of Kentucky.

[edit] History

19th Century Main Street village and museum
19th Century Main Street village and museum

The Pioneer Playhouse was built by Col. Eben C. Henson. Henson established outdoor theater in 1950. Notable alumni actors include John Travolta, Lee Majors, then known as Harvey Yeary, and Jim Varney. [1]. In 1962, Pioneer Playhouse became the first theater in the nation to be accorded the legal status of State Theater by act of Legislation.

Since Henson's death in 2004 the theater has been run by Henson's widow, Charlotte. Her daughter Holly serves as artistic director. Robby Henson, her son, directs at least one play at the theater every summer.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Profile of Col. Henson. Randy Kennedy, New York Times, 1999

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Image:40px-P culture.svg.pngThis article about a specific theater is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This Kentucky-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.