Deck the hall with bells of holly, and be sure and go see the latest production at the Brown County Playhouse. “Believe” is a live music variety show, and its final showings are this weekend and next weekend.
The holiday show provides enchanting songs, laughter and wonderful and talented entertainers resplendent in holiday costumes the likes of which would be the envy of Broadway. I was absolutely bowled over with the lively, electrifying and exciting evening of live entertainment by these very professional performers.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.
The cast includes:
Rhett Thomas: He has performed nationally and internationally in 13 countries, and settled in Branson, Missouri, for a prolonged stay in a number of shows. His credits include television, cruise lines, corporate events and benefits, and he runs a company that produces shows across the country. Thomas now makes his home in Columbus.
Pam Dixon: Her Broadway and national tours include numerous plays along with many film and TV credits. Originally from Indiana, she attended the IU Jacob’s School of Music where she appeared in several operas and musicals. She is a former member of Indiana University Singing Hoosiers.
Russell Moss: The all-around entertainer has many credits to his name, including owner of the Boggstown Cabaret, and has produced three shows at the Brown County Playhouse since 2013.
Amy Christine Johnson: The professional singer and arts educator has appeared in numerous operas and works with a children’s theater camp in Nashville.
Toni Ham Tolliver: The Brown County native’s career spans the world of music and entertainment, having performed with Doc Severinsen, Buddy Hackett and Leslie Uggams, and in several IU theater productions. She currently performs monthly at The Connoisseur Room in Indianapolis.
J. Kevin Butler: The performer and dancer is a highly respected clinician, adjudicator and choral director with the IU Singing Hoosiers, musical director for the Chicago Children’s Choir, artistic director for the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus and works with numerous high schools in Indiana as choral director. He currently is director of music for the First United Methodist Church of Columbus.
Fun trip
I took a fascinating tour of the Bear Wallow Distillery, located on Old State Road 46 in Gnaw Bone, and learned quite a bit about whiskey and the distillery. The tour provided quite an education, and included a sampling of six of the production offerings — something for those who have a strong constitution for such.Best of all was the maple syrup that is aged in the bourbon bottles for a period of time — a very tasty addition to your pancakes and waffles.
