ARTS, Inc.

ARTS, Inc.ARTS, Inc.ARTS, Inc.

ARTS, Inc.

ARTS, Inc.ARTS, Inc.ARTS, Inc.

ARTS, Inc & Karen Hastings Players

Present THE DRUNKARDPresent THE DRUNKARDPresent THE DRUNKARDPresent THE DRUNKARD

ARTS, Inc & Karen Hastings Players

Present THE DRUNKARDPresent THE DRUNKARDPresent THE DRUNKARDPresent THE DRUNKARD

The 2021 Season of Dale Easton's "The Drunkard" is SOLD OUT!

About Dale Easton's THE DRUNKARD

COVID PROTOCOL

ALL PERFORMANCES SOLD OUT

ALL PERFORMANCES SOLD OUT

ARTS, Inc. and VFW protocols follow

adherence to local, state, and national practices. 


We STRONGLY RECOMMEND masking in our venue, though masks are not required.


Attendance has been limited to fewer than 50% of our fire code capacity; however, seating is congested.


We will provide masks for 

audience members who forgot theirs. 

Ask our Check-In Staff for yours. 


ADA Information: 

The VFW performance space is not accessible to wheelchairs. It is accessible to guests using walkers and canes via a separate chair lift entrance. For special walker and cane-related ADA entry arrangements, please use southeast entrance for chair lift services. 


Call 785-235-9073 M-F from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. for more information.

ALL PERFORMANCES SOLD OUT

ALL PERFORMANCES SOLD OUT

ALL PERFORMANCES SOLD OUT

The Drunkard returns for six live-audience performances, presented by ARTS, Inc. and performed by the Karen Hastings Players. 


 The longest-running play in Topeka history, The Drunkard opens Friday, July 16 (our 909th performance) and runs Friday and Saturday nights throughout July. 


Opening and Closing Nights Only: audience Meet & Greet following the show with Drunkard cast and crew.


Curtain is at 8:00 p.m. 


On-Site Ticket Sales begin at 7:00 p.m. (pending unsold tickets from online advance purchases)


Seating begins at 7:30 p.m.


$12/ticket (plus tax and fees) for advance online sales only.


 $15/ticket (plus tax and fees) for all on-site sales. 


Buy tickets online through the ARTS, Inc. Eventbrite box office (see link above).

 

All ticket sales are final with no refunds or exchanges. 


Because we intentionally have made tickets affordable, there are no discounts offered. 



Classic Melodrama Play

ALL PERFORMANCES SOLD OUT

Classic Melodrama Play

Complete with villains, heroines, and spirited hissing and booing from the audience, Dale Easton's The Drunkard was adapted from a 19th Century straight-up temperance play, but skews the once-serious theater piece from its anti-liquor stance into an over-the-top satire that mocks both temperance and melodrama acting. 


To complete the vaudeville presentation, an olio performance at the conclusion of the show will present a collection of classic comedy short routines. 


Plan to stay for the entire performance!


See more information about 

ARTS, Inc. and the Karen Hastings Players below. 

The Drunkard Photo Gallery

    COMPANY NOTES

    CAST & CREW

    DIRECTOR & PRODUCER: 

    Philip Grecian 

    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & PRODUCER:

    Dane Shobe


      

    CAST (in order of appearance):

    Raymond Remp, Jr. as Mr. Romaine, a philanthropic stranger in town

    Shawn Trimbleas Sample Switchel, a Yankee tippler

    John Hanna as Simon Slade, a landlord

    Dane Shobe as Harvey Green, a gambler

    Morgan Boyer as Catalpa Slade, the landlord’s daughter

    Kelly Rippel plays Little Willie Hammond, son of rich (but kindly) old Judge Hammond

    Lisa Greenwood plays Mehitabel Cartwright, a sentimental Yankee girl; and, Mrs. Dangerfield, the loving mother

    Arlyn Brunken as Mrs. Ann Slade, the landlord’s worried wife

    Philip Grecian, as Joe Morgan, a drunkard

    Robin M. Bonsall as Little Mary Morgan, the drunkard’s angelic daughter

    Cheryl Franklin as Fanny Morgan, the drunkard’s wife


    MUSIC DIRECTOR/PIANIST

    Tiffany Bonnewell 

    Marla Wiens as substitute pianist


    CREW:

    Lisa Martin-Bisel, Stage Manager

    Bryce Korf, Lighting Design & Extra Construction

    Gayle Taylor, Costuming/Backstage Manager

    Jo Ann Remp, Backstage Crew

    About ARTS, Inc. & Karen Hastings Players

    OUR FOUNDER

    The name Karen Hastings is synonymous with theater throughout Kansas. A native of Topeka, Kansas, for many years she toured as a member of the American Actors’ Equity Association with professional plays and musicals in Missouri, Texas, Florida, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Georgia, Kentucky, and Colorado. 


    She returned to Kansas and founded Karen Hastings Players, the ensemble which involves actors, musicians, performers, writers, directors, and other theater technicians with whom she collaborates for her shows and productions. In 2005 she founded ARTS, Inc. (American Regional Theatre Society), a 501-(c)-(3) charitable nonprofit organization, the home of the Karen Hastings Players. 


    As the heir to “Dale Easton’s The Drunkard,” she has revived the genre of melodrama and regularly offers reprise performances of melodrama and vaudeville. According to Karen, “The Drunkard has been highly-anticipated summer theater fare in northeast Kansas for decades. Over the years so many local actors have performed in it that each year the cast is like a reunion, with newcomer actors quickly coming into the fold with this seasoned production. The drunkard has become a strong tradition among local audiences who love it and return to see it time after time. We are thrilled that in 2021 Philip Grecian not only will reprise his starring role as The Drunkard, but he also will co-produce and co-direct the show with Dane Shobe.” 


    Karen has appeared in more than 200 plays and musicals, and has acted for most of Topeka’s nearby theatres, including Dale Easton’s Barn Theatre at Apple Valley, Topeka Civic Theater, Showcase Theater, Helen Hocker, Washburn University, Dale Easton Players Theatre, Auburn Community Theater, Paxico Playhouse, Topeka Performing Arts Center, and The Break Room in downtown Topeka. She has produced and directed shows at the Columbian Theatre in Wamego, where she also served as interim director.


    Karen taught theater, oral interpretation, English, and literature for more than 25 years at several local schools including Washburn University, Topeka High School, Highland Park High School, and Chase Middle School. She taught and directed theater for the Bath House Players at Helen Hocker Theater. She has taught dialect classes at Topeka Civic Theater, Washburn University, and Helen Hocker and offers private dialect coaching. 

    Award-Winning Company

    AWARDS

      Topeka Civic Theater Hall of Fame Inductee - 2017

    American Association of Community Theaters (A.A.C.T.) National Festival - 2009

    “Lemonade” James Prideaux 

    Directed by Scott Kickhaefer

    Starring Karen Hastings & Carole Ries

    A.A.C.T. State Level Awards (Salina, Kansas):

    First Place – Best Show

    First Place – Best Ensemble Player – Karen Hastings (Mabel)

    A.A.C.T. Regional Level Awards (Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma & Minnesota):

    First Place – Best Show

    First Place – Best Actress – Karen Hastings (Mabel) 

    A.A.C.T. National Level Awards (Tacoma, Washington):

    Nominated as one of three for Best Actress – Karen Hastings (Mabel)

    Telly Awards(Cable Television Academy Awards)

    KTWU Television (PBS), Topeka, Kansas

    “It’s A Wonderful Life”

    Philip Grecian, Playwright

    Silver Prize Telly for Ingenuity in Sound Design (International) – Ute Mueller

    Platinum Prize Telly for Directing (International) – Karen Hastings

    “Twisted Tales of Poe” 

    Philip Grecian, Playwright

    Gold Prize Telly for Ingenuity in Sound Design (International) – Ute Mueller

    “Hound of the Baskervilles”

    Philip Grecian, Playwright

    Gold Prize Telly for Ingenuity in Sound Design (Regional) – Ute Mueller

    “Dracula”

    Philip Grecian, Playwright

    Platinum Prize Telly for Ingenuity in Sound Design (International) – Ute Mueller

    Renna Hunter Award– 1990 

    Topeka Civic Theater

    Best Supporting Actress, “Getting Out,” by Beth Henley - Karen Hastings (Ruby)

    Harold Nixon Award – 1985 

    El Dorado Community College, El Dorado, Kansas

    Paul Prece, Director

    Award presented only when merited

    Toured under auspices of Kansas Arts Commission and Washburn University

    Outstanding Achievement – Karen Hastings (Emily Dickinson)

    “The Belle of Amherst,” by William Luce 

    Renna Hunter Award– 1978 

    Topeka Civic Theater

    Best Supporting Actress – Karen Hastings (Woman in 4B)

    “Sixth Room, Riverview,” by Neil Simon 

    Best Actress Award – 1969 

    Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas

    Best Actress – Karen Hastings (Alexandra del Ago)

    “Sweet Bird of Youth,” by Tennessee Williams 

    Best Actress – 1967

    Washburn University of Topeka, Topeka, Kansas

    Best Actress – Karen Hastings (Antigone)

    “Antigone,” by Sophocles

    Contact Us

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