65 years of show tunes and hard work at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse
Jude, Brach and Don Thomson at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, April 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Bigfork Summer Playhouse founders Margery & Firman “Bo” Brown in 1960. (photo provided)
A promotional photo of the Playhouse's 1972 production of "Cabaret." (photo provided)
The Playhouse's 2020 cast performs "Sister Act." (photo provided)
A promo photo from "Into the Woods" a production the Playhouse took on in 2018. (photo provided)
The Playhouse's 2017 cast performs "The Marvelous Wonderettes." (photo provided)
The Playhouse cast in 2009's production of "Smokey Joe's Cafe." (photo provided)
The 2023 cast at the Playhouse performs "Beauty School Dropout" from their production of "Grease." (photo provided)
The Playhouse's 2023 cast performs in "Escape to Margaritaville." (photo provided)
Under the reins of Don and Jude Thomson, and their son Brach, the Bigfork Summer Playhouse has become one of the most notable small-town professional theater companies in the country, not missing a single season in its 65 years.
The Playhouse performs four musicals and a variety show about once a week during its annual run in the summertime. A college-aged cast is hired — roughly 3,000 apply every season for the 20 spots available. The program has churned out performers and crew members who go on to have successful careers in the arts like that of Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons.
CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
