Editor, The News:

Sam Luptak Jr. requires a gentle rebuttal with his recent and enlightening article celebrating the New Castle Playhouse’s 50th anniversary.

Not all early Playhouse history has been lost, and the demise of original Playhouse members has been exaggerated. Especially since I and a few others are still here.

I tend to save things, especially Playhouse programs. The New Castle Playhouse was organized in 1958 and original board members were: Ken Meine, Dr. Raymond Seniow, Bill Summers, Dave Flamino, Marietta Reynolds, Vern Bolen, Hal Hess, Nancy Rosenbloom and Gwen Stone.

In 1958, “My Three Angels,” the first Playhouse production, was presented at George Washington Junior High and Vivian Rauso, still with us, was a lead character. I helped with props.

The second production in 1959 was “Towards Zero” at Washington and two others were on the stage of the senior high in 1959 and 1960. In the mid-1960s, The Crescent Theater was acquired and I helped do very labor-intensive work, such as taking out seats in the front rows to make room for the stage.

A Dec. 11, 1960, article noted the acquisition of the theater in Mahoningtown. Photographed in front of it were: Dixie Dewberry, Cathie Hess, Bolen, Martie Walsh and Sam Buffone.

The first production there was “Harvey” in November 1960. Walsh appeared in “Harvey,” as did my New Castle High literature teacher, Dora Burleson, who was funny and enjoyable.

There was no way for me to discover the last production at the Crescent, since I do not have all the programs, but in 1968, the March-April comedy, “Mary Mary” seems to have been the last to have the Crescent on the cover.

After the Playhouse left the Crescent, “Romeo and Juliet” was on the marquee for years. Perhaps that was the last play.

Gary Shaffer

New Castle