Rankin – Stone Fence Theatre’s newest production, Miss Pringle’s Mini-Skirt opened last week at the Rankin Culture and Recreation Centre (RCRC) to a very positive reception at both shows.

The production, written by Eganville Leader columnist, with producer Ish Theilheimer and Kathy Eisner, tells the tale of a young woman who lands her first teaching job in the one-room schoolhouse on the Opeongo Line.

“The two-act play casts a fond look back at the final days of rural schoolhouses as the Ottawa Valley discovered the Beatles, the Cold War, and Hockey Night in Canada,” a release noted.

A musical comedy, it follows Miss Pringle’s must-learn-to-cope with the annual farming related absences due to threshing and chicken-killing, to preparing for the Christmas concert. Mix in the arrival of a Dutch family whose son is smitten with Miss Pringle, to a visit from her ex-boyfriend. The play is filled with humorous situations and wonderful musical numbers.

“The reaction has been terrific, especially last night,” said Mr. Theilheimer after shows on Wednesday and Thursday evening. “We had a wonderful performance and a wonderfully supportive audience.

“Everybody got up and danced at the end; it was so much fun,” he added.

 He said attendance was “pretty good” both nights, adding usually the public waits until later in the run of the show to attend.

“Sales are going pretty well,” he said.

Mr. Theilheimer said the production has come together extremely well thanks to a wonderful cast, great musicians, and the two directors, Sarah Wright and Shirley Hill, who have done a tremendous job.

“They’re so well-organized and so kind,” he said of the two women. “And they’re great working with kids, and as you know, we have a lot of kids in the cast.”

He admitted it’s been different working with so many young people, all of whom are making their debut with the troupe, in this production.

“There are so many good kids, but it takes a different kind of approach,” he explained. “They’re not as confident as adults might be because they don’t have a lifetime of experience.

“So, we have to kind of lead them through things a little more patiently than you might have to with adults,” he added.

He agreed the kids have a major role and must carry the show at times to a large extent.

“It’s quite unusual in that regard, and they have really stepped up. With all of them, I’m seeing progression every single night.”

The cast includes 12 actors with Kate MacGregor in the role of Miss Pringle for the summer shows, Sarah Wright for the fall shows; Ambrose Mullin as Father Crabby; Will March as the school inspector, and Ryan Webster as Lambert Van Asseldonk/Johnny, the Dutch immigrant and ex-boyfriend..

The music for the numbers is provided by Mr. Theilheimer, Will March, Colin Wylie, Peter Frolander and Peter Sattelberger.

For more info on the production or to purchase tickets visit the stone fence theatre website.