Hutchinson, Kan. – Stage 9 is proud to present its annual fundraising event, Talking Tombstones, on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 5:30pm and 8:00pm at Eastside Cemetery. Stage 9 is located at 9 S. Main in downtown Hutchinson.
This is Stage 9’s 11th year presenting Talking Tombstones and they are pleased to continue to provide this unique historical experience that Hutchinson has come to love and anticipate. As in previous years have provided, guides will lead patrons through the historical tombstones at Hutchinson’s Eastside Cemetery as actors bring personalities from the rich history of Reno County to life. Stage 9 is pleased to offer such an exciting evening with great personalities from the past. The cast of characters is:
“Hamburger” Gene McInturff – The first hamburger vendor in the state. (Bob Callahan)
Captain John M. Hedrick – One of the first Sheriffs in Hutchinson. (Jason Probst)
Alexander Forsha – One of the big business men in early Reno County. (Lynn Hase)
Dr. David B. McKee – Hutchinson’s first Physician. (Jackson Swearer)
Anna Eatock – A poor lonely woman left to the poor farm by her husband. (Dell Marie Shanahan Swearer)
Edna Grimes Blake – Daughter of Jacob C. Grimes, owner of a mad stone that cured hundreds of people from around the country in Reno County. (Kelly Gauthier)
Residents of Eastside Cemetery come alive in this Hutchinson fall favorite! Join us for a special one evening event where audience and characters meet in this resting place – all on an evening of the full moon. All residents of the cemetery featured in this evening of monologues tell the personal story of their life as patrons travel from tombstone to tombstone in an atmosphere that will captivate history and theatre fans alike. We hope you will take the opportunity to see what many people consider our must-see performance of the year, which was featured in the Kansas! Travel magazine in 2016.
Talking Tombstones will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Eastside Cemetery, located across from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility on Severance Street. The two walking tours will take place at 5:30 p.m. and at 8:00 p.m. with each tour featuring all six of the characters listed above. Patrons are requested to check in at the mausoleum 10 to 15 minutes in advance of both the 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. performance.
The characters in the fundraiser are researched by former Reno County Genealogical Society member Rita Lingg throughout the year. Charles Johnston, Joshua Hall and Peggy Livingston, the directors of the event, utilize the information researched to audition actors, and assist in preparing their performances. This year we are pleased to have Jason Probst and Charles Johnston writing scripts.
If you have any questions, please contact Charles Johnston, Producing Artistic Director at Stage 9 via email at [email protected] or phone at 646-628-4353. Stage 9 is located at 9 S. Main in downtown Hutchinson.
Tickets are $20 for general admission to the event. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at stage9hutch.com as well as at Apron Strings, located at the intersection of Sherman and Main Street in downtown Hutchinson. Patrons may also purchase tickets at the mausoleum thirty minutes prior to a performance.
For additional information about the audition or upcoming Stage 9 events, please contact Stage 9 by email at [email protected] or by phone at 316-350-PLAY (7529).
