52 years and counting- a History of the Lake Country Players

            The Lake Country Players have been providing entertainment to audiences for over 52 years, presenting dramas, comedies, and musicals (over 100 at last count!) in a variety of locations around the Lake Country of Waukesha County.

            In early spring of 1959 an article appeared in the Lake Country Reporter asking that any area people interested in forming a community theatre group meet at Arrowhead High School.  Marvin Solomon, an AHS English teacher, initiated the article.  About 40 people responded and got busy at once to produce a play.  They elected officers, set up a play reading committee and by-laws committee.  Within a few weeks tryouts were held, and in June 1959 LCP presented its debut production, “Sabrina Fair”, for 2 performances.  Solomon directed this first play, and became the founding President of the organization.  By the end of the year, the Lake Country Players were incorporated as a non-profit arts group, and we were off and running!

            During our first five years, we performed all our shows at Arrowhead High School’s South Campus gymnasium.  Increased school enrollment made stage availability difficult, so we began a four-year residence in the second floor of the old Hartland Community Hall.  A tent ceiling was created to improve acoustics, and some memorable shows were done, including a production of “Deadwood Dick” where the hall was converted into a Saloon, with players mingling among the spectators.

            The second floor of the Community Hall was condemned in 1967, so LCP became an itinerant troupe, performing in a variety of locations over the next four years, including the Swallow and Merton Schools, Lakeside Country Club, and Oconomowoc High School.  In 1971, LCP returned to Arrowhead High School, which had constructed the Little Theatre on its North campus.  This became the LCP “home base” for the next 3 decades.

            The LCP’s association with Arrowhead High School has been long and fruitful, but there was a long-standing dream to eventually acquire a home of our own.  This dream became a reality in 2002 with the acquisition of the Masonic Lodge building at 221 E. Capitol Dr. in Hartland.  After extensive renovations, we unveiled the Lake Country Playhouse with a series of events including a revival of our spring production of the Kander/Ebb revue “And the World Goes ‘Round”.

            Since moving to our new home, LCP has expanded its offering of productions.  Before 2002, we had traditionally done 2 shows per season, with a straight play in the fall and a musical in the spring.  We have gradually expanded our slate, and starting with the 2006-07 season, we have been presenting 8 shows per season!  We celebrated our 50th season in 2009-10, highlighted by a staging of "Sabrina Fair", the show that started it all for us!  We look forward to another 50 years of providing quality entertainment for our patrons.  If you haven’t visited us, we look forward to meeting you!  For those who have enjoyed our productions through the years, thank you, and we look forward to welcoming you back!

This history was compiled from articles and reports from Phyllis Agnew, Ruth Behrend, and Barb Christensen.

Additional thanks to LCP historian Barb Lancelle for gathering and providing these documents.