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(Editor's Note: In celebration of Millbrook Playhouse's first-ever Ovation Gala, The Express is highlighting the individuals being honored for their dedication to the theater.)
MILL HALL -- Millbrook Playhouse is gearing up to celebrate a number of its supporters during its first ever Ovation Gala.
The gala, slated for Aug. 29 at the playhouse, will pay tribute to the community and serve as a kick off for a $20,000 fundraiser. The funding will be used to secure performance rights and updates to the barn.
The gala will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and music by Eastern Standards, followed by refreshments at 6:15 p.m.; a performance on the Ryan Main Stage at 7:30 p.m., The Ovation Awards at 8:15 p.m. and Curtin Call at 9 p.m. featuring coffee and a celebration of the next season.
The gala will feature signature cocktails, live music, interactive fundraising frivolities and a premium grazing experience featuring delicious food from Clinton County businesses.
The Ovation Awards will honor a number of individuals who have helped make Millbrook Playhouse a success during its 63 years in operation.
These include: Honored Board Member; Visionary Impact Award; Patrons of the Year; The Spirit of Millbrook Award.
The Express is highlighting these individuals leading up to the gala.
Today's feature focuses on Patrons of the Year awardees, Lenny and Maribeth Long. The Longs are receiving the award alongside Stephanie and Joe Waltz.
Both are receiving the award for their "tireless advocacy for (the playhouse) and unwavering support of the arts."
Maribeth Hanna Long told The Express that Millbrook was always a part of her life.
"As a little girl, growing up on Susquehanna Avenue -- Sue Stover lives in my childhood
home now -- I lived next door to a woman who rented rooms to actors each summer," Maribeth said. "I vividly remember seeing each actor strolling alone in the backyard rehearsing. I always wondered why they were talking to themselves so much and with such animation -- haha!"
Maribeth said she volunteered as an usher during her teens with two high school friends.
"I remember being awed by the shows," she said.
Though moving out of the area briefly, Maribeth said when she and Lenny moved back to Lock Haven from Virginia to start a family, they reconnected with Millbrook again.
" In the process of raising our kids here, we connected with Millbrook once again through my years on the board, the children's summer camps and through our daughter Erin's experience in many shows over the years," she said.
Maribeth said what first drew her to Millbrook was the talented actors who come to the area each summer to share the stage with local talent.
"Having a professional summer stock theatre in our community is amazing! The talent that we've all seen on the main stage and in the cabaret over the years has been truly spectacular and it draws people from far and wide back to the barn every summer," she said. "How lucky are we to have this gem in our community for 63 years!"
When it comes to favorite performances. Neither Maribeth or Lenny find it easy to pick just one.
"We are being so honest when we say there are too many to mention," Maribeth said.
She said she recalled being struck by a performance of "Man of La Mancha" during her time ushering as a teen.
"The actor playing Don Quixote 'brought down the house' with his performance of 'The Impossible Dream!'" she said.
For Lenny, he loves a big, well-known musical. Among his and Maribeth's favorites are "The King and I," "The Sound of Music," "The Wizard of Oz," "Once Upon a Mattress" and "Annie."
"Admittedly, we knew very little about the show 'The Secret Garden,' but I remember mentioning to Kim Feerrar that Erin was going to play Mary Lennox," Maribeth recalled. "Kim said, ;that score will knock your socks off.' He was right."
"I swear we listened to that score constantly in our car for years afterwards," she said.
The couple also gave a shoutout to "Fun Home," the production based on Beech Creek native Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir.
"I had goosebumps during that performance with Alison in the audience. What an honor for us to have her back in the barn," Maribeth said.
In the Poorman Cabaret, Maribeth said "Fully Committed" blew she and Lenny away.
"Tim Dietrich was the only actor on stage, and he played about 18 different characters. By the end of the show, he was completely drenched in sweat -- I'm pretty sure that he lost between 10 and 12 pounds over the run of that show," she said.
The Longs said the people they've met during their time supporting Millbrook are what truly have made their time with the theatre so memorable.
"At the risk of sounding cliche, it really does have to be the people we've met and interacted with over all these years," Maribeth said. "Erin's amazing good fortune to have been cast as Brigitta in 2003 in 'The Sound of Music' began her experience with Millbrook and allowed us to 'be along for the ride' over so many magical summers."
They noted Stephen Sunderlin, Donald Bierly, Michael Schloegel, Mary Kate Burke, Marc De La Concha, Shannon Agnew, David Leidholdt and their dear, sweet Guido are just a few of those they've been lucky to meet.
"These folks meant so much to us and to so many of us in this community. Erin still stays in touch with many of the actors she had the privilege to work with at Millbrook," Maribeth said.
The Longs say they're very humbled to be receiving the Patrons of the Year Award at the Ovation Gala.
"Without a doubt, we are very, very humbled. We truly mean that. The gem that is Millbrook has been supported, nurtured and developed over 63 years by hundreds and hundreds of Millbrook enthusiasts," they said.