Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Donna Reed Theater Celebrates 100 Years With Reproduction of Century Old Play

1914 Broadway Play Within The Law performed on DRF stage nearly 100 years ago


Within the Law, the story of a woman falsely imprisoned by her employer for a crime she didn’t commit and how she seeks her revenge, was the hottest show on both the Broadway and London stages back in 1914. It ran for a total of 541 performances.

On January 13, 1917, the play was performed on the new Germania Opera House stage in Denison by a traveling troupe. A printed flyer for that show was found in the theater archives, but the details of how the play wound up being performed in Denison so soon after its successful run on Broadway remains a mystery.

And now, nearly 100 years later, The Donna Reed Foundation’s American Icon Series will repeat history by bringing back a production of Within The Law to celebrate the 100th birthday of the theater building. A cast of local actors has been assembled to re-enact the play.

“The play is very unique,” said the play’s director Pat Fleshner, “because at that time in our history, women were still fighting for the right to vote. It was unusual for a play to be built around a woman as well as include serious issues that women faced.”

Within The Law will be performed live on the stage at the Donna Reed Theater in Downtown Denison on April 11, 12 & 13, 2014. The Friday and Saturday night performances will start at 7 p.m. and the Sunday performance will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

You can be part of history, and the celebration, by ordering your reserved seat tickets through the Donna Reed Foundation at 712-263-3334, or via email at info@donnareed.org.

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