Maxinkuckee Playhouse Ends  

The Culver citizen - of 26 July 1961 bor this sadness:
Town and Lake Losing Great Asset!

An era, a wonderf ul institution, and a way of life will pass out of existence for the Culver area on Aug. 19 when the Maxinkuckee Playhouse permanently closes its doors at the end of its 12th successful season.



Paul Rutledge, owner and founder of the famed Summer Theater, has announced that this will be the final season. The Playhouse will not reopen here next year and the piece of prize property with its valuable easement to Lake Maxinkuckee 'will be put up for sale.

To Locate In Michigan

Attendance this season continues to rise but surveys show that the audience center is to the north with special emphasis on South Bend. Accordingly Mr. Rutledge, a real genius in his field, will open his new theater ini Southern Michigan near the state line.

The Playhouse has| a long and exciting history with the first theater being located on the second floor of a large green building along the East Shore (State Road 117) now used for living quarters for the summer stock company and audience lobby.

In those first days the little theater seated only 125 patrons. A row of cabins, located on the ground where the new theater now stands, was used for living quarters.

Martin Tahse and Ra ul Rutledge, together with the help of an old German theater couple, Mr. and Mrs. H. Pabst, first originated the theater and helped it grow.

Such memorable shows as "Life With Father" and "You Can't Take It With You" demonstrated a need for more space.

Don Trone Headed Committee

Under the leadership of Don G. Trone a Citizens' Committee was formed and enough money raised to build an extension out over the present screened-in porch. The theater now seated 158. But the reputation of the Playhouse continued to mount and folks from many areas east of Plymouth and Argos found their way to Culver . Upon an invitation from many residents at Lake Wawasee in 1954 it was suggested that an alternate theater b e opened at that lake and productions interchanged.

Lake Wawasee Abandoned

A tent theater at Lake Wawasee housed the productions at that location. Each Monday when the big switch came, the group went through a Hectic time. It was then decided that it would be best to improve and develop the one location and make it large and attractive enough to serve everyone. It was at that time that plans were made to build the new Culver -Lake Maxinkuckee theater building that now houses the productions.

David Hager Designed Theatre

Early in March of 1955, David Hager, together with his brother and others, began clearing the ground, making ready to erect the new building that David had designed.

Another group of prominent and interested Lake residents headed by Peirce C. Ward, Walter W. Foskett, and William C. Griffith, with the cooperation of The State Exchange Bank, helped finance the enterprise.

It was a wet Spring and many times it did not seem possible that everything could be made ready for another June opening. "The Fourposter" had been selected for the opening production and while most of the company were putting on the roofing sanding doors, Sally Noble and Tom Burke would rehearse their lines.

A Hectic Season Opening

Finally the opening night came, but as yet there was no electricity. At 8 o'clock when some of the audience members were arriving the electrical contact was made and the show went on. Those first audience members never knew what a really last minute drama had taken place.

For the past six years Paul Rutledge and David Hager have managed and directed the Playhouse. Audiences have continued to grow.

Developed successful Actors

The name Maxinkuckee Playhouse is now known all over the United States and is held in the highest regard in theatrical circles.

Many of its former actors and actresses are following their profession with success on Broadway, in Hollywood, and on TV..

This year Bill Akin has served as co-manager with Mr. Rutledge and a new record was set when "South Pacific" played to. the largest audiences ever to visit the summer theater. The loss of the Playhouse wili be tremendous to the Northern Indiana arra and especially to Culver but as Paul Rutledge stated, "It is a tragedy of success."

When asked about his feelings upon deciding to leave here Rutledge told The Culver Citizen: " I will, of course, miss the unhurried way of life in Culver and will always remember witli the fondest memories the many friends that we have here. The community accepted us unknown and without reference. The fact that we have had such a successful history is a tribute to their helpf ulness as well as to our own endeavor."

Buildings Are For Sale

The Playhouse buildings and facilities would certainly be ideal for a church or school retreat. Persons interested in purchasing the plant should contact Mr. Rutledge personally.

Flower Drum Song" Coming

To celebrate its closing production the Playhouse has secured the new Rodgers and Hammerstein hit, "Flower Drum Song." This musical will replace the originally sched uled "Anything Goes" and will run from Aug. S until the closing night on Aug. 19.

The Playhouse will close Saturday, Aug. 19, no performance being scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 20.