Don’t miss the chance to see Ohio’s official state play during its 40th season this summer
By Jennifer R. Demuth
Most Ohioans and many visitors to the state are familiar with the state bird (the Cardinal) and know that the state tree is the buckeye tree, but few are aware that Ohio also has an official state play, one that was written by Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Paul Green. With dazzling pyrotechnic effects, a beautiful set augmented by nature, professional actors and live animals, Trumpet in the Land has been wowing audiences for 40 years. As part of its 40th anniversary season, Trumpet in the Land has been enhanced by a rejuvenated script and much-needed facility renovations to the picturesque outdoor Schoenbrunn Amphitheatre (located near Kent State University Tuscarawas Campus at New Philadelphia), so even those who have seen the production before will enjoy seeing it again.
For those planning to see the Tuscarawas County area, a visit to Trumpet in the Land is the perfect place to learn about the county’s rich history. The epic production is brought to life on the stage of the 1,200 seat amphitheatre nearly every Monday through Saturday night at 8:30 p.m., now through August 29. The play depicts the founding of Ohio’s first settlement of Schoenbrunn in 1772 as part of the story of Moravian missionary David Zeisberger’s struggle to Christianize the Ohio Indians during the Revolutionary War era. The action-packed tale keeps theatre-goers riveted as history explodes through the combination of comedy and drama, song and dance, romance and spectacle. A haunting musical score from composer Frank Lewin, energetic dances and majestic Indians on horseback are just some of the elements that keep audiences coming back.
Kids and adults are sure to appreciate the show’s special effects. Trumpet in the Land’s pyrotechnic effects were professionally designed by a professional who has worked on several Broadway shows, including Phantom of the Opera and Cats. While the effects are impressive, general manager Margaret M. Bonamico said the location itself is part of the draw. “Visitors are most impressed with the beauty of the amphitheatre and the authenticity of the set,” she explained. “Most people are surprised when we tell them that the mountain on stage right is not real but was designed and built specifically for the production.”
For a behind-the-scenes tour of the stunning amphitheatre, arrive by 6:30 p.m. to take the tour and discover the secrets behind the show’s success. Backstage tours are available for $4 a person. Tickets to see productions at the Schoenbrunn Amphitheatre are $10 for adults and seniors, and $5 for children age 12 and younger on Monday and Tuesday nights; and $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $7 for children Wednesday through Saturday nights.
The play has been praised by major media outlets. “In the 80s, the Columbus Dispatch proclaimed Trumpet in the Land as the Ohio outdoor drama most worth seeing,” shared Bonamico. “In the 90s, the Canton Repository compared Trumpet in the Land to the Broadway tour de force, Les Miserables for sheer scope and called it a ‘must see’ for all theatre goers.”
But Trumpet in the Land is not the only performance that can be seen at the amphitheatre, as the show is performed in repertoire with The White Savage, a production that depicts the life of the notorious character of Simon Girty, as well as the much-loved musical The Music Man.
A Winnie the Pooh Children’s Show will be performed at 10 a.m. on August 7, 8 and 15 at $10 per ticket for adults and $5 per ticket for children. Those who love Broadway musicals won’t want to miss the Give My Regards to Broadway Music Review, to be performed on August 16. If a visit to the amphitheatre isn’t possible this summer, schedule a trip in October when Dracula will be performed on the nights of October 2, 3, 9 and 10.
For more details about upcoming productions at the Schoenbrunn Amphitheatre, to reserve tickets, or to obtain directions, visit www.trumpetintheland.com, or call the Trumpet box office at 330-339-1132.
