NAPPANEE – “Plain and Fancy” will begin its 29th season at The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres at 8 p.m. Wednesday. With over 3,700 performances before audiences totaling more than 355,000, it has become one of the longest running musicals anywhere, according to a press release from The Round Barn. “Plain and Fancy” tells the tale of a sophisticated New York couple that experiences a glimpse of life and love on an Amish farm. Written by Joseph Stein of “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Plain and Fancy” opened on Broadway in 1955 where it ran for 462 performances. Since then, The Round Barn Theatre has become its national home with more performances than the original Broadway runs of “Hello, Dolly!,” “My Fair Lady,” “Oklahoma,” “South Pacific,” “The Sound of Music” and “The Music Man” and only 200 fewer performances than “Fiddler on the Roof.” More than 500 actors have performed “Plain and Fancy” since its debut at Amish Acres in 1986 where it played with only four actors and a single piano on a small stage in a constructed replica of the Old Locke Township Meeting House. It ran for six seasons in the space before moving to The Round Barn Theatre in 1992. The Round Barn Theatre has grown into a regional resident musical repertory theatre producing over 100 plays and musicals over the past 19 years, the press release states. “The evolution of ‘Plain and Fancy’ at Amish Acres could be the material for a play itself,” Richard Pletcher, founder/CEO of Amish Acres and producer of The Round Barn Theatre, is quoted as saying in the release. “It has fostered the creation of a performing arts family that has enriched our visitors' experience and the surrounding community.” The 29th production will see Round Barn Theatre alumni Jason Sofge make his directorial debut. Round Barn Theatre audiences may remember his portrayal of Smudge in “Forever Plaid,” Harry MacAfee in “Bye Bye Birdie,” Mr. Snow in “Carousel,” and Papa Yoder in two different seasons of “Plain and Fancy.” Returning alumni include Travis Bird as Papa Yoder, Ryan A. Schisler as Dan King and South Bend native Katie Kuehner as Katie Yoder. Rounding out the cast will be newcomers T.J. Besler as Isaac Miller, Harli Cooper as Ruth Winters, MoMo Lamping as Emma Miller, Haley Jane Schafer as Hilda Miller and Tyler Whiteman as Peter Reber. “Plain and Fancy” runs through Oct. 17 and theatre tickets can be combined with Amish Acres family style Threshers Dinner or a special Theme Dinner served May 29 at a savings. “Plain and Fancy” runs in repertory with “Grease,” “Anything Goes” and “Smoke on the Mountain.” The Round Barn Theatre will present the Pulitzer Prize winning comedy “Harvey” during Fall Harvest Days in October, and the 2015 season will conclude with the musical “Mary Poppins” for the holidays. A complete show schedule, ticket availability, and reservations can be obtained by calling the box office at 800-800-4942, Ext. 2, or online at www.amishacres.com
