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.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Donna Reed receiving her Oscar

Donna Reed admires Oscar

A weekend of movies and live theater at the Donna Reed Theatre

Donna Reed was awarded a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her work in the movie From Here To Eternity in March of 1954. Now, 60 years later, the Donna Reed Foundation will celebrate her career with a weekend film festival and live play based on letters she received from soldiers during World War II.

In her career, Donna Reed starred in over 40 films. Starting on Thursday, March 20th area movie lovers will get to see three of her best films. And, as an extra bonus, the ticket prices for each film will be only 75 cents – the price of a movie ticket in 1954!

The movies
Thursday, March 20: Trouble Along The Way – a comedy starring Iowa Icons Donna Reed and John Wayne.

Friday, March 21: The Far Horizons – a movie about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, starring Donna Reed, Charlton Heston, and Fred MacMurray.

Saturday, March 22: From Here To Eternity, starring Donna Reed and Frank Sinatra in the roles that won them Best Supporting Actor & Actress Oscars.

Each movie will be shown at the Donna Reed Theater in downtown Denison beginning at 7 p.m.  Tickets will be available at the door.

The live production
Sunday, March 23:  Two performances of the live play, Dear Donna, will be staged at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Donna Reed Theater. Dear Donna is based on actual letters that Donna Reed received during World War II from servicemen all over the globe.

Reed kept over 300 of the letters, which were recently discovered by her daughter, Mary, who worked to have the letters woven together into a live play.

“Some of the letters are humorous, some serious, and all are very respectful” said play director Tim Tracy. “Soldiers repeatedly said 'Miss Reed' was the 'kind of girl we want to come home to.'”

Admission to Dear Donna is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets can be obtained by calling The Donna Reed Foundation at 712-263-3334 or by e-mail at info@donnareed.org.

Casting Call for "Dear Donna" Production

Letters from WWII soldiers to Donna Reed

Actors needed for play at Donna Reed Theatre

The Donna Reed Foundation is seeking a cast and crew for its March 23 production of “Dear Donna.”  The play consists of actual letters Donna Reed received during WWII. The actors will read the letters on stage, portraying the feelings and emotions expressed by soldiers so far from home.

The production, directed by Tim Tracy, calls for a cast of five men and one woman. The actors ideally will be WWII “soldier age” from 18 to 40.

Auditions will take place in both Denison and Carroll. On Tuesday March 4, auditions will be at the Donna Reed Theater in Denison at 7 p.m. On Thursday, March 6, auditions will be at the Carroll Community theater’s Black Box Theater at 7 p.m.

“Dear Donna” will be performed at 2 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, at the Donna Reed Theater in Denison.

More information can be obtained by contacting Tim Tracy at 712.830.7669 or tracyhome@hughes.net.

First Friday Films: "The Wizard of Oz" (1939)

"Lions, and tigers, and bears!           Oh, my!"

Where-The Donna Reed Theater
When- Friday, February 7,2014
Time- 7:00 pm
Cost- $5.00
Concessions will be available

Notable for its use of Technicolor, fantasy storytelling, musical score and unusual characters, over the years it has become one of the best known of all films and part of American popular culture. It also featured what may be the most elaborate use of character make-ups and special effects in a film up to that time.

It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It lost that award to Gone with the Wind, but won two others, including Best Original Song for "Over the Rainbow". The song was ranked first in the AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs list.

Watch the original trailer.

Donna Reed Festival Alumna Launches National Tour

Scholarship finalist Amy Heidemann part of Karmin tour 

 Karmin, the American pop duo of Amy Heidemann (2004 Donna Reed Scholarship vocal finalist) and Nick Noonan, kicked off their "Pulses" headline tour in Baltimore, MD on January 28. This run sees the platinum-certified duo hitting major markets across North America through the end of February.

They are best known for their song "Brokenhearted," which reached the top 20 in the United States, and the top 10 in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom, and the song "Hello", which reached number one on the Dance Billboard Chart in the U.S.

They were known previously for their rise to fame through their YouTube covers, including Chris Brown's "Look at Me Now" and Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass." Their original song "Take It Away" was used in promos for the 2011 NBA Finals. Rolling Stone recently named Heidemann as the winner of their "Women Who Rock" contest.

Casting Call for "Within The Law"

Poster used for 1917 Germania Opera House production

Actors, crew needed for production at Donna Reed Theater

The Donna Reed Foundation is seeking a cast and crew for its April 11, 12, and 13 production of the century old play, “Within The Law.” The play, part of the American Icon Series: Milestone Events, was originally performed at the theater in 1917 when the building was known as the Germania Opera House.

The production, directed by Pat Fleshner, calls for a cast of five females and 15 males of various ages. It will also need people for set building, props, costumes, makeup, lighting, and sound.

Auditions for on-stage parts will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, and Thursday, January 30, at the Donna Reed Theater.

More information and forms can be obtained at the Foundation office, 1305 Broadway, Denison, by calling 712-263-3334 or sending an email to info@donnareed.org.

"ICON SERIES" Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Beatles Arrival in America

Beatles tribute group “Cavern Beat” appearing in live performance, February 8th

It’s a Beatle Party! Fifty years ago, the Beatles arrived in America for their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show – and the rest is history.

 

On February 8th, 2014 the Donna Reed Foundation’s “American Icon Series” will celebrate this momentous event with a Beatle Party, featuring Beatle tribute group the “Cavern Beat” from Chicago. The event takes place at the Donna Reed Theater in downtown Denison, Iowa.

 

““Beatlemania” is alive and well after 50 fab years”, said American Icon Coordinator, Tim Tracy, “We’re excited to give Beatle fans a venue to celebrate this legendary band.”

 

A large collection of Beatle memorabilia will also be on display. 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the “Cavern Beat” performing at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are recommended and can be obtained by calling the Donna Reed Theater at 712-263-3334. Tickets are $15 each.