Plain and Fancy
Attended by patrons from many lands – its universal themes speak to every age and culture over 50 years after its Broadway debut
Book by Joseph Stein & Will Glickman, Music by Albert Hague, Lyrics by Arnold Horwitt
May 13 – November 1
Purchase
Your Tickets Here
A Note from the Director
The Cast
Scenes and Musical Numbers
Technical and Artistic Staff
Cast Biographies
Theme Buffet Menu
Plain and Fancy was the first Broadway musical to open in 1955, shortly before Silk Stockings and Damn Yankees, and ran for 461 performances followed by over 350 performances in London. It was a hit by any standard. Now, nearly five decades later, Amish Acres has become the national home for this delightful musical, celebrating its 22nd season, after over 3,300 performances before 345,000 patrons. It is the heartwarming tale of a New York couple that experiences a rare glimpse of life and love on an Amish farm. Whether it is your first trip to Bird-in-Hand or a return visit, the community revealed through Plain and Fancy's music, laughter and joy, will touch people of all origins, backgrounds and faiths! 
The theatre's stage has been dedicated to Joseph Stein, co-author of the show, whose support and guidance has given the theatre much of its charm, character, and direction. Among its songs "Young and Foolish" became one of the year’s most popular songs, recorded by Dean Martin.
A Note from the Director
“The number 22 is significant in many systems of numerology, often called the Master Builder or Spiritual Master in Form. This 'master number' includes all the attributes of the number 2, twice over, and also those of the 4. People who are 22s are said to find themselves feeling as if they live in two worlds, one which is overwhelmed by the mundane, and the other by the fantastic.” Wikipedia.org
I would like to take this opportunity to wish Plain and Fancy a Happy 22nd Birthday! I find the wikipedia information on the number 22 to be very interesting. I love the portion about the people finding themselves feeling as if they live in two worlds! Our little tale of Culture Clashes & Love in Bird-in-Hand can definitely relate to that thought process. When I was 22 I had just made my first really huge leap on my own. It was scary, exhilirating and humbling all at the same time. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, 22 chapters of Revelation in the Bible, 22 paths between the sephiroth in the Kabbalah, Psalm 22 described by the New American Standard Bible as “A cry of anguish, a song of praise,” is the Psalm to which the dying Jesus was said to have made reference. It is the number of yards in a chain, the typical number of episodes in a television show’s season, the central number in the numerologically-based political platform of fringe U.S. Presidential candidate Love 22…and don’t get me started on Catch 22’s! I assure you I’m not trying to sound like a bad Jim Carrey film, but it is clear that this particular number is special.
Plain and Fancy’s 22nd Birthday will be special for us as well. Once again we have a dynamite cast composed almose entirely of new faces. It is great fun to be able to watch new personalities tackle these timeless roles every year. This is essential to keeping the show fresh. It continues to amaze me that after all these years I still have yet to encounter an audience member who didn’t absolutely love Plain and Fancy! I’ve once again tried to stay true (as much as possible) to the vision of the author, whom I feel I know well by now. I would like to thank all of you for continuing to support The Round Barn Theatre and hope you will enjoy yet another stroll through Bird-in-Hand.
~ Jeremy Littlejohn
“Hilda, how old are you?” – Dan King
“I’m 22.” – Hilda Miller
“22, that’s a wonderful age!” – Dan King
The Cast
Dan King .....................Matthew Sean Callahan
Ruth Winters ............... Heidi Ferris
Katie Yoder ................. Karen Courliss
Papa Yoder.................. Burke Fry
Isaac Miller.................. David Smith
Emma Miller..................Rachel Black
Hilda Miller....................Emily Thompson
Ezra Reber....................J.D. Simper
Peter Reber..................Lance Mullins
Scenes and Musical Numbers
Act I
Scene 1 A Shell Station Outside of Lancaster
You Can’t Miss It - Dan, Ruth, Company
Scene 2 the Road to Bird-in-Hand
It Wonders Me - Katie, Company
Scene 3 a Rest Stop outside of Bird in Hand
Scene 4 the Yoder Yard
Plenty of Pennsylvania - Emma, Company
Young and Foolish - Peter
Scene 5 the Yoder Parlor
Why Not Katie – Ezra, Isaac
Young and Foolish (Reprise) - Katie, Peter
Scene 6 the Little Room Under the Stairs
It’s A Helluva Way to Run a Love Affair - Ruth
This Is All Very New To Me – Hilda
Scene 7 the Yoder Yard
Plain We Live - Papa, Company
Scene 8 the Yoder Yard
The Shunning - Papa, Katie, Company
Act II
Scene 1 the River Farm
How Do You Raise A Barn? - Company
Follow Your Heart - Peter, Katie, Hilda
Scene 2 the Yoder Kitchen
City Mouse, Country Mouse – Emma, Isaac
Scene 3 the Yoder Parlor
Scene 4 the Little Room Under the Stairs
I’ll Show Him - Hilda
Scene 5 the Reber Yard
Young and Foolish (Reprise) - Katie
Scene 6 the Yoder Yard
Plenty of Pennsylvania (Reprise) - Company
Technical and Artistic Staff
Executive Producer: Richard Pletcher
Artistic Director: Jeremy Littlejohn
Music Director: Phil Rittner
Technical Director: Erin Ramer
Props Master / House Mgr.: Lance Mullins
Set Designer: Richard Pletcher
Costume Designer: Scott Saegesser
Lighting Designer: David Castaneda
Sound Designer: Paul Dodds
Master Carpenter: Alvin Yoder
Box Office Manager: Jennifer Scheffer
Marketing: The Village Group Marketing, LLC
Read the Technical and Artistic Staff Biographies
Cast Biographies
Rachel Black (Emma) is a native of Lexington, Kentucky and holds degrees in Vocal Performance from Vanderbilt University and The University of Kentucky. She was most recently seen as Martha Watson in Circa 21’s production of White Christmas. Some of her other favorite roles include Charlotte in A Little Night Music, Sally in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and Bloody Mary in South Pacific. Thanks to supportive family and friends. To God Be the Glory!
Matthew Sean Callahan (Dan) is thrilled to be playing one of his dream roles at Amish Acres! Originally from Colorado, Matthew moved to Chicago to attend The Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University. He graduated with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and went on to tour nationally as Bob Baker in WonderfulTown. He has also performed regionally with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Noble Fool at Pheasant Run, Light Opera Works, Illinois Theatre Center and many others. After Kiss Me Kate, he plans to move to the “Big Apple,” with his wife Kiwi. “Thanks to Jeremy, Amber, Mom, Dad, Wife, all patrons and supporters of Theatre!”
Karen Courliss (Katie) is happy to be making her Round Barn debut! Karen graduated from Bethel College in 2007 with a degree in Vocal Performance. Some of her favorite roles include Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls under the direction of Jeremy Littlejohn, Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan, Antonia in Man of La Mancha and several comedic operas at Bethel. She was also seen at Elkhart Civic Theatre as Liesl in The Sound of Music. Karen currently resides in Mishawaka with her amazing husband Tim.
“Thank you Mom, Dad, Kevin, Kelli and Tim for always believing in me!”
Heidi Ferris (Ruth) is pleased to return to The Round Barn Theatre for her sixth season! Her time has been divided among Actor and Music Director since 2002. Some of her favorite shows here include West Side Story, The Secret Garden, and Singing in the Rain. Favorite roles on The Round Barn stage include Amneris in Aida, Babette in Beauty and the Beast, and of course, Guenevere in Camelot. She has also recently worked for Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre in Michigan as Music Director and Cast Member of Midlife: The Crisis Musical. When not performing on stage she has enjoyed being a part of the popular Vesper Chorale, in South Bend, and most recently, the Renaissance group Cantus Cathedralis. She sends bouquets of thanks to her wonderful family and friends or their endless love.
Burke Fry (Papa) is making his debut with The Round Barn Theatre. He was awarded a vocal scholarship at Southern Illinois University and has sung with Muny Opera in St. Louis. He spent two and a half years after college as an Equity performer traveling the country in Variety, Convention and Industrial shows. He stopped to raise a family and became Vice President of two steel fabricating companies but eventually returned to the stage and has performed throughout the Chicago area at venues including DuPage Opera, Light Opera Works, Chicago Opera, Illinois Theatre Center, Bailiwick and more than a dozen community theatres. He was invited to sing with and solo at Coral Ridge Presbyterian church in Florida for two Easter seasons on national t.v. He can be seen as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the Ramada Wagon Wheel later this year.
Lance Mullins (Peter) is 19 years old and recently graduated from Northwood High School. Favorite roles include Mereb in Aida at Northwood, Lefou in Beauty and the Beast with Elkhart Civic Theatre, Charlie in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Nappanee Civic Theatre. He has been featured this season at the Round Barn as Jay in Lost in Yonkers, the Mute in The Fantasticks, Tommy Djilas in The Music Man and Enoch Snow Jr. in Carousel. Some of his favorite hobbies include photography and writing music.
J.D. Simper (Ezra) is very excited to be in his first full season with the company. Recent Round Barn productions include Fred in A Christmas Carol, a member of the Cowboy Quartet in The Will Rogers Follies and Bee Doyle in Floyd Collins. He holds a degree in Criminal Justice, Music and Theatre from Bethel College. He would like to thank his friends and family for their love and support. Love you all.
David Smith (Isaac) recently completed his education at Indiana Wesleyan University with a BS in Elementary Education. This is his second “go round,” at The Round Barn and he is extremely excited to be back. He would like to thank his family, the Fiebigs and above all…God!
Emily Thompson (Hilda) is originally from Salina, KS, and received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College. She just completed a summer at Maine State Music Theatre performing in Les Miserables, The Producers, All Shook Up and Jesus Christ Superstar, after spending 8 months on the first national tour of Irving Berlin's I Love a Piano. She has also performed regionally at the Mac-Haydn Theatre as Ado Annie in Oklahoma and Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain, at Gloucester Stage Co. as Rosanna in Calvin Berger, and The Great Plains Theatre Festival as Grace in Annie. She would like to thank her wonderful friends and family for their love and support.
Plain and Fancy Theme Buffet
June 6
Plenty of Pennsylvania
Soup
- Broccoli Soup
Appetizers
- Glazed Grapes
- Watermelon Pickles
Salad
- Dandelion Greens and Escarole with Tomatoes, Unions
- Iceberg Lettuce Quarters
Bread
- Zucchini Bread
- Quince Jam
Entrees
- Swiss Steak with Mushrooms
- Pan Fried Chicken
- Stuffed Squash with Ground Beef
Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Cauliflower and Peas
- Candied Yams
- Cooked Dried Corn
Desserts
- Honeydew Melon with Honey
- Oatmeal Whoopie Pie
- Lemon Meringue Pie
- Shoofly Pie
- Brenda's Famous Crème Brule'
Beverages
- Raspberry Vinegar
- Alcohol Free Wines
- Sparkling Juices
- Iced Tea
- Lemonade
- Coffees
Home