Letter to the editor:

This past weekend provided wonderful opportunities for enjoying life. The three major theatrical entities in town: William Penn University Theater Department (WPU Theater), the Oskaloosa High School Drama Department (OHS Drama), and the Oskaloosa Community Theater (OCT) offered various projects for our viewing pleasure. WPU Theater presented one-act plays directed by college students; OHS Drama provided student-written as well as student-directed one-act plays; OCT produced the small-cast musical version of the Charlie Brown comic strip. All three events were magnificently performed and far exceeded expectations. The only thing missing was the audience, at least on the nights I visited these productions.

For a few dollars and a couple hours, Oskaloosans had the opportunity to become involved in the creative output of this community. I have seen and acted in plays and musicals ranging from Broadway in New York City, to Hollywood Productions in L.A., to University of Iowa Productions and the touring groups it attracts, to Summer Repertory groups in Clinton, Iowa, to Elementary school presentations at inner city magnet schools, to High School productions around Iowa. In my experience, these three productions reached the level of some of the output from University of Iowa; surpassing some of the worse plays I have ever seen performed by better and more experienced troupes. In terms of which group outperformed the other groups, I would be hard-pressed to answer. It would be similar to naming my favorite child. WPU’s ‘Deep Blue Funk’ was as thought provoking as OHS’s ‘Gendermat’. OCT’s ‘Charlie Brown’ was surprisingly funny, almost as funny as WPU’s ‘Cinderella Wore Combat Boots’ or OHS’s ‘Home at Six’.

Would that the three groups of performers got to see the other performances. Perhaps there could be a Colossal Theatre Sunday starting at noon and running until 6:00 p.m. at one of the venues so that everyone can see all of the productions during one set period of time. Or perhaps theater goers could purchase event tickets to attend all three performances at a reduced cost on Thursday through Sunday, if price is an objection for not attending. What will it take for Oskaloosans to get out of their seats and into the theater seats for one (or three) night(s) of frivolity?

Jim North

Oskaloosa