Past Event: Drama in Farmington Village: “Thank You” by Winchell Smith

Past Event: Drama in Farmington Village: “Thank You” by Winchell Smith 🗓

Event Date : 2018 Apr Thu

April 5, 2018

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Porter Memorial

75 Main Street

Farmington, CT 06034

Please join us for the reading of this little known, lighthearted comedy with a timeless message (performed on the playwright’s birthday), to benefit the Farmington Historical Society; produced by Herstory Theater; directed by Kit Web; enhanced by Dramaturg Linnea Bloomquist; featuring a cast of 15 from around Connecticut; performance will be followed by a talk back and wine and cheese reception. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased using the button below, or by calling 860-678-1645.

Winchell Smith
Born in Hartford on April 5, 1871; graduate of Hartford Public High School; protégé of the famous Connecticut actor, William Gillette; director, producer, writer, mover and a shaker on Broadway back in the early 20th century, involved with dozens of productions; retired to Farmington and is buried in Riverside Cemetery.

“Thank You”
A simple Minister in the small Connecticut Town of Dedham has his life and church turned upside down when his modern young goddaughter comes to live with him. Filled with entertaining town personalities and very familiar small town controversy, this comedy, while written in 1921, is timeless. It opened on October 3, 1921, at the Longacre Theater, and ran for 257 performances, closing in May, 1922.

“Thank You” concludes “Drama in Farmington.” Proceeds from the program will go toward the Expansion Campaign of the Farmington Historical Society. This campaign includes the purchase of the Elijah Lewis House (ca.1790) and the task of rebuilding the Phinehas Lewis House (ca.1798). Both houses were built by master builder Judah Woodruff. The Elijah Lewis House is on the Underground Railroad and includes R.B.Brandegee murals. The Phinehas Lewis House, which had graced the corner of Route 4 and High Street for over 200 years, was lovingly dismantled as part of the reconstruction in the Farmington Gateway. As the FHS raises funds, both houses will be preserved to provide a much-needed functional home base to better serve our Farmington community.