Eugene T. Mahoney SP to host summer melodramas

Grab the popcorn and enjoy some light-hearted family fun at a Eugene T. Mahoney State Park melodrama this summer. The melodramas are designed to provide wholesome, family-orientated entertainment.

This year’s schedule, which runs from May 22-Aug. 23, features the premiere of three plays:

• “Witch of Waverly Wood,”writtenby Julie Eschliman, tells the story of Gretel. It’s been years since her and brother Hansel escaped from the candy house of an evil witch. Now grown up, Gretel is proprietress of an inn at the edge of Waverly Wood. But these woods come with a witch of their own, who has plans involving a young stranger named Jack. Can Gretel and her friend, Little Red Riding Hood, save Jack from a terrible fate?
• “Pelican Pete’s Amazing Feat,”by John Burkhart, is a tale about Maude Spickard, who is constantly harassed by Muscrat Sam Winchester, a local trapper who is in love with her. Ma is being helped in her store by heiress Nora Larabee. Nate Reese, alias notorious Hogwash Harry, is posing as the editor of the town newspaper while plotting to rid the town of the Larrabee family. Pelican Pete falls in love with Nora while attempting to save her and her family from Hogwash’s evil plot.
• “Showdown at Sundown,”by D. Chapelle, tells a story about the shady, evil and dishonest doin’s being done at Luke Lavender’s Log Lodge. Luke and girlfriend Belladonna Slither are making money hand over fist at the lodge. His evil plan is to use sweet mail-order bride Annie Pleasant to make a killing! Sam Steadfast, who falls in love with Annie at first sight, is broken-hearted when he discovers Annie is marrying another. Will Sam and good-hearted lady Carbine Molly Muldoon be able to save Annie?

Plays are held at The Denman and Mary Mallory Kountze Memorial Theatre. The schedule is as follow, with starting times of 7:30 p.m. Central time, unless noted:

Witch of Waverly Wood – May 22; May 27; May 29; June 2; June 10; June 19; June 21, 3 p.m.; June 27, 5 p.m.; June 30; July 1; July 8; July 17; July 18; July 19, 3 p.m.; July 25, 5 p.m.; July 31; Aug. 2, 3 p.m.; Aug. 7; Aug. 12.; Aug. 14.; Aug. 15.; Aug. 18; Aug. 23, 3 p.m.

Pelican Pete’s Amazing Feat – May 24, 3 p.m.; May 26; May 31, 3 p.m.; June 5; June 7, 3 p.m.; June 13; June 14, 3 p.m.; June 20; June 24; June 27; July 3; July 5, 3 p.m.; July 10; July 11, 5 p.m.; July 14; July 18, 5 p.m.; July 22; July 25; July 28; Aug. 1; Aug. 5; Aug. 8, 5 p.m.; Aug. 9, 3 p.m.; Aug. 15, 5 p.m.; Aug. 19; Aug. 21

Showdown at Sundown – May 23; May 30; June 3; June 6; June 9; June 12; June 16; June 17; June 23; June 26; June 28, 3 p.m.; July 7; July 11; July 12, 3 p.m.; July 15; July 21; July 24; July 26, 3 p.m.; July 29; Aug. 1, 5 p.m.; Aug. 4; Aug. 8; Aug. 11; Aug. 16, 3 p.m.; Aug. 22

Ticket prices are $10 per person. For more information, call the park at 402-944-2957. A valid Nebraska Vehicle Park Entry Permit is needed.