Totem Pole Playhouse will extend its 60th anniversary season with eight performances of the wildly popular Late Nite Catechism by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan. This one woman, audience participatory show, which is billed as part catechism class and part stand-up routine, first open in 1993 in Chicago, IL. Now in its 17th year, Late Nite Catechism has brought its nostalgic look at life in Catholic school to all 50 states as well as Canada, the U.K., and Australia

This production marks the first time the playhouse will co-present a touring production at its home in Caledonia State Park. “We have a very big and extremely loyal subscriber base that would like to see more programming at Totem Pole. Late Nite Catechism allows us to offer more programming than we ever have at an affordable ticket price,” says Ray Ficca, Artistic Director of the Playhouse. Late Nite Catechism is a family friendly entertainment and will appeal to Catholics and non – Catholics alike. M & T Bank is guest sponsor of Late Nite Catechism.

Class is in session from August 25-August 29, with special matinees performances.

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With our culture saturated with American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and dozens of youngsters clamoring to be the next Disney Channel teen sensation, Totem Pole Playhouse’s final regular season production, Ruthless! The Musical could not be more timely. Directed by playhouse artistic director, Ray Ficca, this campy show biz musical satire, gives a wink and a nod to such classics as The Bad Seed, Gypsy, and All About Eve. Patriot Federal Credit Union serves as guest sponsor of Ruthless! The Musical which runs from August 10 – 22.

The play centers around eight - year old Tina Demark who will stop at nothing to get the lead in her third grade play. Taking on the role of Tina, the singing, acting and dancing triple threat, is 10 year-old Mallory Bechtel. Miss Bechtel hails from Houston, TX, and is making her debut at the playhouse. She has performed professionally in her home state of Texas, with most of her work seen at Theatre Under The Stars in Houston. Miss Bechtel takes her place on a long list of stars that have played the role of Tina. Broadway actress, Laura Bell Bundy, originated the role and both Natalie Portman and Brittany Spears were performing understudies in the original production.

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38 film festivals and 15 major awards later, ROUTE 30 continues its mission of good will and will return to the Totem Pole Playhouse August 3rd @ 7:30 for an encore screening. The sold out July 6th showing was such a success that Totem Pole artistic director Ray Ficca immediately ordered Putch back to the woods for another go round.

"The addition of the 'special events' to the summer season has been a great success, in part thanks to movie night.", said Ficca. John Putch claimed, 'It's a great pleasure to have directed a show here this summer, and be able to show the film inside the theater where much of the film was shot. Good times for the 60th season at Totem Pole."

Totem regulars and Route 30 cast and crew members will be on hand for another Q&A session after the screening.

Attending: filmmaker John Putch, cast members: Wil Love, Carl Schurr, Mister Ed and crew member Kate Murphy.

ZULLINGER — The Waynesboro Historical Society will have between 10,000 and 15,000 books on topics from A to Z (antiques to zoology) available at its second annual book sale Friday and Saturday, Aug. 6 and 7.

The sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days at the Zullinger Community Center, located on Wharf Road just off Route 16 west of Waynesboro.

About three-quarters of the books have been donated since last summer's sale, which was held on the porch of the Oller House in Waynesboro.

"Our new location will give us more room, and it's air-conditioned," noted Ellen Gsell, a member of the historical society's board who is organizing the sale.

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WAYNESBORO — The director of the Fashion Archives and Museum at Shippensburg University will kick off a two-month display of Victorian clothing and accessories at the Oller House, 138 W. Main St., with a talk on Sunday, June 27.

Karin Bohleke, who will appear dressed in period clothing, will describe the clothing and accessories of the era at 2 p.m. that day. The Victorian-era Oller House is the headquarters of the Waynesboro Historical Society.

The talk is free, but to ensure adequate seating, those planning to attend are asked to make reservations by calling Helen Shelley, program chairman, at (717) 765-0191 or the Oller House at (717) 762-1747. Light refreshments will follow the program.

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Totem Pole Playhouse continues to build its artistic momentum in its 60th Anniversary Season as it presents Neil Simon’s hilarious 45 Seconds From Broadway, starring a stellar ensemble of some of the most accomplished actors ever to grace its stage. Totem Pole veterans Wil Love, Tess Hartman, Catherine Blaine, Ed Gotwalt (Mister Ed) and newcomers Paul Floriano and John Dow lead a cast of twelve that ignite comedic fireworks in this smart, fast-paced valentine to Broadway.

John Putch, son of former Playhouse Producing Artistic Director, William Putch and Actress Jean Stapleton, returns to Caledonia to direct for the first time at Totem Pole. John has had a respectable television and film-acting career but now enjoys directing. Notable films include the cult indie favorites: VALERIE FLAKE, BACHELORMAN, MOJAVE PHONE BOOTH and ROUTE 30. TV directing includes: “Scrubs,” “Cougar Town,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Ugly Betty,” “Grounded For Life,” “Son Of The Beach” and multiple television movies and mini-series. John has been referred to as a ‘genuine and positive force for the creation of meaningful media.’ John Putch last appeared at Totem Pole Playhouse in 1984.

In assembling the actors and director for the 2nd offering of the 2010 Season, Playhouse Artistic Director, Ray Ficca, certainly gave particular attention to each and every role. “This play demands impeccable comic timing and a director who is able to guide the ensemble towards that, while still telling a very touching story about life just beyond the Great White Way. We’ve hit a home run with this group of artists and it is an honor to have John back at Totem Pole,” say Ficca.

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Expect Totem Pole to pull out all the stops for its 2010, anniversary season with a line-up of six shows never before seen on the Playhouse's stage. Artistic Director, Ray Ficca, reports that "2010 will be one of the biggest seasons we've done in a long time". Two musicals bookend the season that marks this remarkable milestone reached by the professional theatre located in Caledonia State Park.

The curtain rises May 29 – June 13 for The Sisters of Swing: The Story of the Andrews Sisters starring S. Central, PA's own Katrina Yaukey and Molly Lahr, along with newcomer to Totem Pole, Ruthie Baker. The show follows America's sweethearts Patty, Maxene, and LaVerne from their early days on the road through their rise as recording stars to entertaining America’s GIs overseas. This Golden Age of America musical is loaded with over twenty hit songs like Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive.
Rotz & Stonesifer, CPA and Salzmann & Hughes, LLC sponsor this show.

The Andrews Sisters were the most popular female group in history. They sold over 90 million records, recording about 700 songs and earning nine gold records. Today, The Andrews Sisters are still recognized for their engaging harmony and witty sense of humor. The trio brought music, laughter and happiness in a dark period for Americans. They are lovingly remembered by their fans and still remain one of the best-selling female vocal groups of all time.

Former Playhouse Producing Artistic Director, Carl Schurr, will take the director's chair and Darren Server will conduct the live orchestra for this ride down memory lane. Totem Pole veteran, Jack Rowles, will join the ladies on stage, portraying a number of notable faces from American entertainment such as Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Ed McMahon and Johnny Carson.

For more information on performance times and any event at the Totem Pole Playhouse, call 888-805-7056 or visit www.TotemPolePlayhouse.org.

Spring is finally here, summer is quickly approaching and so is the annual Theatre Funfest at Totem Pole Playhouse.

This annual event will take place on Saturday, May 22nd, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm.

Totem Pole Playhouse will hold this free community event for local children and adults on the theatre grounds in Caledonia State Park. Follow the signs at the traffic signal at the intersection of US Route30 & PA Rt... 233. The event will run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, rain or shine.

Scheduled events for the day include backstage tours of the theatre, children’s theatre games and crafts, face painting, children’s story theatre, costume displays, stage combat, season previews, spin art, clowns, balloon animals and much more.

All day long there will be an All-American Picnic with grilled burgers, hotdogs, chili, pork barbeque and chicken corn soup. A bake sale tent will hold wonderful baked goods donated by Friends of Totem Pole. Come early, the baked goods go fast.

The annual theatre flea market will be on the east lawn and porch of the theatre. The flea market will open at 7:00 am with donated treasures from patrons and the Totem Pole attic.

There will be something for children of all ages. Theatre FunFest ’06 is an opportunity to get behind the scenes & into the theatre to explore the unknown & magic of the Totem Pole Playhouse.


Mark your calendars! You don’t want to miss the excitement on May 27th at the theatre.

We're gearing up for a wall to wall weekend of game events at Neverland Games' first ever mini convention... Bangarang!!!

Bangarang!!! will take place July 9th, 10th & 11th. This weekend-long event coincides with the pre-release tournaments for Magic: The Gathering 2011 base set (aka M11). In addition to the Magic: The Gathering events, we will have several other events available throughout the weekend. Most of the events will take place at the Elks Club on Main Street. Some events will take place right here at Neverland Games.

Here's a list of some events we are currently planning to offer...

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WAYNESBORO — The Waynesboro Historical Society has canceled the dinner planned Thursday, May 13, in Minnich Manor at Quincy United Methodist Home.

Instead, the society will hold its annual meeting at 7 that night in the Oller House at 138 W. Main St. The annual meeting is open to all society members. Two new board members, Allie Kohler and Patrick Fleagle, will be welcomed, and outgoing board members Jeff Zody, Gordon Heidelbach and Dave McCarney will be recognized.

Civil War author Steve French, who was to have been the speaker at the dinner meeting, instead will be rescheduled to speak at a meeting in the fall.

For information, call 762-1747.