By MARIA SCIULLO
Everything about Little Lake Theatre is about family.
Currently mounting its 75th season at the Canonsburg, Washington County barn across the bridge, the spirit of founder Will Disney extends beyond the fact that his children helped foster his theatrical legacy.
To wit, son Dave Disney and daughter Sunny Disney-Fitchett have been involved for practically as long as they can recall, as actors, directors, producers: probably as ushers and bartenders too.
Will Disney and his mother, Edith, found a barn across from the man-made lake off Route 19 in 1949. What followed were years of improvements, after animals routinely walked into the open theater and rain doused actors and apprentices in the early going.
Eventually, the newer, in-the-round theater was built.
The Little Lake anniversary season kicks off with Popcorn Falls (April 6-16). It’s a two-hander comedy about a small town whose signature waterfall has dried up, and there’s the danger of it becoming a sewage plant. Salvation lies in obtaining a grant based on producing a play within the next week.
Two problems: there’s no theater, and they don’t have a play.
“It’s [described as] ‘Waiting for Guffman’ meets ‘Greater Tuna,’” said Patrick Cannon, Little Lake artistic director.
Patrick Brannan and Kauleen Cloutier play 20 roles, directed by Dana Hardy.
Although he was involved with the company last year, this is the first season curated by Cannon. Patti Knapp is managing director, with three productions currently in rehearsal.
At a press event Tuesday, Cannon joked that it’s no small task describing the thread that runs through a season with 10 productions, some of which are aimed at children.
“I asked my fiance Emily [McCoy] how this sounded: ‘Exploring the inherent meta-theatrical awareness of our place in the community as our home, and safe haven for us as storytellers.
And in turn, our permanence as shepherds of legacy through creative expression and collaboration through an impermanent art form.’
“And she kindly informed me that it would not look very good on a poster.”
He paused amid laughs.
“This is where I landed: ‘On behalf of the Little Lake family, I am proud to present Little Lake Theatre Company’s 75th anniversary: Little Lake, Big Stories!’ ”
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LITTLE LAKE THEATRE’S 75th ANNIVERSARY SEASON
- April 6-16, 2023: POPCORN FALLS
- April 27-May 7, 2023: CURIOUS GEORGE and the GOLDEN MEATBALL
- May 18-June 4, 2023: AMELIE
- June 15-25, 2023: FOR PETER PAN on HER 70th BIRTHDAY
- July 20-August 6, 2023: DEATHTRAP
- August 17-27, 2023: ROALD DAHL’s WILLY WONKA Jr.
- September 7-24, 2023: LORD of the FLIES
- October 5-22, 2023: The BOOK of WILL
- November 2-19, 2023: Mr, BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY
- November 30-December 16, 2023: IRVING BERLIN’s WHITE CHRISTMAS
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It’s an interesting mix. Mr. Burns is a “Simpsons”-adjacent black comedy, while Lord of the Flies and White Christmas need no introductions.
Sunny Disney-Fitchett will direct The Book of Will, a play based on the history of William Shakespeare. It serves as an observation of what lengths people will go to preserve the legacy of someone they loved and admired.
Sounds like an appropriate theme for Will Disney’s big Little project.
“There is a tight-knit quality in a tight-knit community. And there is a palpable kindness that pulses through it,” Cannon said of “the Lake.”
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