In Support of Local Theater

I can’t believe that I’ve lived in Geneva nearly 15 years and had never been to Rabbit Run Theater, the summer community theater in Madison, until last Sunday. What a gem it is! The theater, housed in a converted, white-washed, 235-seat barn on Chapel Road on the west end of Madison Township, offers four productions each summer from late May through late August.

This year’s line-up included “Spamalot”, “Tuesday with Morrie”, “Music Man” and “Clue”. “Clue”, a comedic murder mystery based on the classic board game, runs through August 24th. Grab a ticket if you can fit a night at the theater into your schedule this week.

The no-frills theater setting still has a touch of elegance and evokes the charm of a New England farm. The barn is surrounded by a picnic area with strings of white Christmas lights draped overhead, and theater-goers can bring a basket of snacks or dinner items. We saw more than one couple sharing a bottle of wine and a platter of DIY charceuterie.

Rabbit Run Theater dates back to the 1940s and some easily recognized names have performed here, including Jim Backus (best known as the voice of Mr. Magoo), Dustin Hoffman and the husband-wife acting team of Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn. The barn itself dates back to the mid-1800s, not long after Ohio became a state. The theater is one of the oldest remaining barn theaters in the US, according to the theater’s website.

My trip to Rabbit Run took an invitation from a couple who recently moved to the area. Thank you. I may have been late discovering this wonderful theater, but I definitely won’t wait another 15 years to return.