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Story Subject Category: Sullivan
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Guy S. Little Jr. fulfilled a childhood dream when he opened The Little Theatre on the Square 40 years ago in a former movie theater on the courthouse square in Sullivan.
Prairie Fire highlights the theater’s 40th anniversary, featuring interviews with Little, who now owns a bed and breakfast in Sullivan, as well as with Paul Barry, the first actor
to set foot on the theater’s stage. Barry has returned to the theater this season to perform in Brigadoon, the same musical he performed in 40 years ago.
“Guy Little knew since he was six years old that he wanted to operate a live musical theater,” said Prairie Fire host Alison Davis. “When he was 21, he decided it was time. He leased the old Grand movie theater and went to New York to recruit actors. He opened his first Summer of Musicals in 1957.”
“By the last show that summer, he had sold out,” said Davis. “He said that’s when he realized that the theater would be a success. It had caught on.” Little operated the theater until 1978, when a non-profit organization took over operation. The segment also takes viewers along for a performance of Brigadoon, with Davis talking to artistic director M. Seth Reines about the production.
Segment duration: 09:22
Producer: Alison Davis
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Cinema/Theaters/Film • Historical Landmarks • History • Illinois Culture/History • Music • Sullivan
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Segment duration: 05:42
Producer: Jeff Cunningham
This segment is filed in these categories: Politics • Sullivan
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