Daily Pioneer News

Rumpelstiltskin

PLATTEVILLE - As the fourth annual Heartland Festival at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville drew to a close with the final performance of "Annie" July 25, festival organizer John Hassig reflected on the 2004 season. He said this year's Heartland Festival was a huge success.

"The work done this summer was outstanding. I think we hit on a lot of positive things," Hassig said.

Audiences enjoyed festival shows and events, and Hassig said ticket sales were up 65 percent from last year. A total of more than 4,600 tickets were sold to performances of "Annie," "Pump Boys and Dinettes," and "The Odd Couple," the children's theater performance of "Rumpelstiltskin" and other festival events like the gala and musical festival.

"It think it shows that people will respond to great shows," Hassig said.

John McCaslin-Doyle served as the festival's artistic director, in addition to directing "Annie." Mineral Point resident Coleman directed "The Odd Couple" while Vivienne Elborne, a longtime New York theater professional, directed "Pump Boys and Dinettes."

The change to repertory-style theater, where multiple shows are staged in alternating days during the season, was a huge success, as was the hiring of eight guest actors: Paul Helm, Mark Brouwer, Marcella Sciotto, Matt Connely, Ashley Heaston, Heidi Tiefenthaler and Joe and Jill Klinebriel.

"Those eight folks really gave us some great performances. It really pushes all of the actors to perform at a really high level. It's something we're going to continue to do," Hassig said. Many audience members enjoyed seeing the actors perform in different roles in different shows.

Also new to this year's festival were dinner theater shows for selected performances of "Pump Boys and Dinettes." Over the course of the festival, 340 festival patrons enjoyed live music and catered meals from a costumed wait staff prior to four "Pump Boys" dinner theater performances.

"We fed a lot of people and they responded to it really well. It was good fun. They really enjoyed it, and we'll definitely do it again," Hassig said.

While Hassig is sad to see this year's Heartland Festival come to a close, organizers are already beginning to develop plans for next year's season. The lineup of shows could be announced as soon as the fall.

"We set the bar very high this year. It'll be a difficult but rewarding challenge to take it a step further. I hope people are looking forward to next year," Hassig said. "I know I'm looking forward to next season."

Annie

The Odd Couple

Pump Boys and Dinettes