Tell-A-Tale turns 50!

Fifty years ago, way back in 1974, an idea was hatched to create a Children’s Theatre wing of Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre.  (Called BDCT in those days.)

I remember seeing a contest in the paper to name the new division of the community theater. I don’t remember if I even entered that contest, but having been in the cast of “Oliver” in 1972, and “The Wizard of Oz” in 1973, I was very interested in trying out this new idea. The name selected was Tell-A-Tale Children’s Theatre. I auditioned and was cast in a production entitled, “The Junkyard.”  We rehearsed in the same space on Lincoln Avenue, and then took our show “on the road” to local schools to perform. It was a wonderful experience for the student cast, as well as the children in the schools where we performed.

The next few years for me were filled with Beaver Dam High School plays, or “Operettas” as they were called then. But Tell-A-Tale was new to me, new to BDCT, and new to the community at the same time. It was a fantastic transition for me in my theatrical experience journey.

Fast-forward 50 years and here we are. I’m still involved in theater, the community is still very supportive, BDACT is still producing amazing entertainment, and Tell-A-Tale is alive and well. This summer, we celebrate children’s theater with two Tell-A-Tale productions. “Finding Nemo Jr” is on our mainstage at the BDACT Fine Arts Center July 10–13. It’s the show your whole family will enjoy, with singing, dancing, and of course, LOTS OF FISH! We have a large elementary school-aged cast of fish, sharks, turtles, and other characters waiting to take you on an ocean adventure. Come watch the wonderful lighting and visual effects in our state-of-the-art auditorium, and sing along with our local kids having the time of their lives.

But one blockbuster show is simply not enough to celebrate 50 years of amazing Tell-A-Tale Children’s Theatre. So we’re also producing “Grease – School Version.” The original authors of the musical you love have made a version appropriate for school children. Come enjoy our middle school-aged cast perform this classic show, complete with leather jackets, poodle skirts, and of course the songs you love in a form suitable for the entire family. The show runs July 18–20. Tickets are selling like greased lightning!

If you caught the dates of the show, you’ll notice they are one week apart. That means we have two large casts of children, rehearsing two big shows, at the same time! The halls of the BDACT Fine Arts Center are filled with music, and scenery, costumes, and props are popping up in the classrooms, the workshop, and even Encore Hall. It’s really a very magical time of the year.  (We actually just finished our Area High School Musical production of “Anastasia” and also have the very large cast of “Seussical” singing, dancing and rehearsing for their August run at the same time!)

If you’ve never seen a BDACT production, this is THE summer to come down and enjoy what you’ve been missing. If you have seen a show in the past, but perhaps not yet visited our new amazing Fine Arts Center, this is THE summer to see how we’ve upgraded our performance venue.

However, even after 50 years of Tell-A-Tale Children’s Theatre, and 60 years of Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre, the best things remain the same. Families, children, laughs, music, dancing and good old-fashioned happiness will explode from our stage and into your heart. Our theater community members love creating entertainment for you, all the while learning new skills, gaining new levels of self-confidence, and developing new friendships. We’re ready to show you and your family a very good time. All we need now…is YOU!

So here’s a HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY to Tell-A-Tale, and an open invitation for you to come join the party! 

Please check our Facebook page or our website for all the info you need. As always, I can be reached with questions regarding anything related to BDACT at [email protected] or (920) 885-6891.

In the next blog I’ll tackle the importance of the age-old theatrical saying, “The Show Must Go On!”