Rankin – Stone Fence Theatre wrapped up its 2024 run of the very popular Miss Pringle’s Mini Skirt with a capacity audience for its gala dinner performance recently at the Ranking Culture and Recreation Centre (RCRC).

The script was written by Stone Fence contributor, and Leader columnist, Johanna Zomers, with assistance from Ish Theilheimer and Kathey Eisner. It was directed by Shirley Hill and Sarah Wright and featured a cast of both seasoned Stone Fence veterans and others who were making their stage debuts in the two-act, musical comedy.

Ms. Zomers’ told the story of a young teacher who had grown up in an urban environment being thrust into her first teaching role in a rural, one-room schoolhouse, on the Opeongo Line in an era when much of the attention was on The Beatles, the Cold War, and Hockey Night in Canada. 

“It was real bounce-back year for us,” Mr. Thielheimer said of the popularity of the show. “We had several difficult years after the pandemic, and this was the best year we’ve had since 2019.

“It’s still not up to pre-pandemic levels, but we’re getting there,” he added. “We had a very good fall and the crew was just outstanding to work with.”

He gave credit to Ms, Wright and Ms, Hill, the cast, the band, the board of directors, the volunteers, and the sponsors.

“It was just a wonderful company of people to work with,” he noted. “I have to give a lot of credit to the young people, I think we had nine teens and kids, and they worked really hard.

“I don’t think they realized how much work it would be when they got the part, but they accepted the challenge and grew together as a group,” he added. “It was really fun to be with them.”

Rehearsals were held weekly, starting in February, which Mr. Theilheimer admits is a big commitment for everyone. He said the adults had been in other productions previously, so they knew the commitment required, whereas it may have been a bit of an eye-opener for some of the younger cast who may not have understood the scope of it.

“But they really came through,” he remarked.

The production saw some planned changes within the cast as the season rolled along, which Mr. Theilheimer said is not unusual. He said some substitutions were required due to unexpected circumstances as well.

“But the group worked together cohesively to make those kinds of substitutions not only seamless, but actually fun.”

He said he has worked with Ms. Zomers in the past on other productions, and always enjoys working with fellow writers on the Stone Fence projects.

“One of the most important ones was back in 2013 when she and I wrote the play, “There’s Hippies Up the Line”, he recalled. “And we might bring that back sometime in the near future. It was a really fun production.”

Mr. Theilheimer said most of the musicians, including Colin Wylie, Peter Frolander, and Will March had all been with Stone Fence in other capacities before. He added it was Peter Saddleberger’s first time with the troupe and they had great fun together.

Eganville’s Rory Jamieson, who was accompanied by his dad, Rob, was the opening act for all shows and he delighted the audience with his renditions of legendary Mac Beattie tunes.      

The show had a total of 12 shows, seven in the summer and five in the fall, capped by the gala dinner show.

When asked if the October 4 performance was the end of the line for Miss Pringles’ Mini-Skirt, Mr. Theilheimer replied, “We hope it’s not the very end. We’re hoping to take it on a little tour next spring, for instance. Who knows beyond that.”

Mr. Theilheimer said they would like to re-visit some of the towns they have performed in before, like Deep River, Almonte, Arnprior, Barry’s Bay and maybe others.

In terms of what’s next for Stone Fence, he said there are various discussions, adding he did not want to tip his hand at this point to share any further information.

“We have few different options and I don’t want to give it away yet,” he shared. “They’re only options and there are several of us involved in the decision making.”

He hinted there are the possibilities of revisiting something that was done previously or some totally new shows.

“Whatever we do, it will be fun,” he concluded.    

Ms. Zomers told the Leader she too was very pleased with how the season went.

“We had full-houses – all the last shows of the fall were full houses, and there was a fair number this summer, as well. And a lot of people still want to see the show, so we’re thinking about resurrecting it for a short run next year.”

She said the response from the public, especially those of the elder age group, felt a real connection to the production.

“People around our age (over 60) who had gone to the one-room schoolhouses could really relate,” she remarked. “And I was very happy to meet five or six teachers who had taught at various one-room schoolhouses in the Valley who had come to see the show, and they were very really pleased also.”     

She said the cast was a wonderful combination of veterans and younger performers, adding like Mr. Theilheimer, she was very impressed.

“We were so happy with the performances and with the enthusiasm they brought to the show. And the really interesting thing was a lot of them really didn’t have any personal knowledge of even things like Mac Beattie’s music, square dancing, or putting on a Christmas concert in a one-room schoolhouse.

“So they were learning about all that and putting it into their performances,” she added. “And they were incredible.”

She said it’s so wonderful to see the future of the arts is very well equipped going forward.

“I think there’s a lot of promise in the Valley. I think a lot of kids are interested in art, music and theatre and it’s great that there’s an outlet for them to do that here right in there very own backyard.”

She said nothing is more gratifying than seeing a hall filled with people applauding the performances.

Ms. Zomers said she is currently working on two other scripts, one or the other which may make it to the stage next year.

“We’re debating what we’re going to do next year with Stone Fence,” she explained. “But I’m definitely going to be writing more plays. There are several in the works.”