Never
a dull moment: Barn Theatre begins new season with lots of laughs
By JASON ALEXANDER
Times Herald
• June 5, 2009
PORT SANILAC -- Jeff Pedue swears the old barn in this Sanilac County
village comes alive at times.Pedue, an actor and board member of The Barn Theatre, said the venue can feel emotion -- and even a bit cranky."It's got its own
charm and personality," Pedue of Port Huron said. "If the barn is having a bad day, you feel it. But the first few
shows of the year it goes all out."
The theater, at 242 S. Ridge St. (M-25), opened its 2009 season Thursday.
"A Tuna Christmas" continues today and Saturday and June 11, 12 and 13.
Two actors -- Pedue and
Joshua Stahl, 18, of Burtchville Township -- take on more than 20 characters during the comedy centered around the Twelve
Days of Christmas.
"It gives me a time to go completely insane," Pedue said. "It just kills
me. We can sit there without missing a beat, trying to make each other laugh. It's fun for us, and it's fun for the
crowd."
He switches between many characters in the play -- from a 16-year-old girl to a 112-year-old
woman. Costume changes take place in as few as 10 seconds.
Pedue loves acting. "It gives me a chance
to be someone completely different," he said. "It lets me get away from myself, and I like that."
The theater is presenting eight shows this season, its 29th year. Shows continue through Sept. 5.
"We have
a good season," executive producer Stephen Kenny said. "It will be very good entertainment."
Next up is
"Start 2 Finish," an original comedy about two retirees who come to grips with age, family and friends. The play is by Jeremy Stemen of Port Huron.This year's lineup varies from comedies for mature audiences to a musical
concert to a children's show. The group tries to offer a good variety.
"We have a great following
of fantastic people," said Kenny, 38, of Port Huron. "The warmth the community feels for this place is astounding.
It's something that doesn't really exist elsewhere on this side of the state. We have a lot of fun with the show and
make sure the crowd is having a good time. We've already taken reservations from all over."
Contact Jason Alexander at (810) 488-7741 or jalexande4@gannett.com.
