Custer State Park is famous for its scenic drives, free-roaming wildlife, and impressively pointy geology. This might not be where you'd expect to find one of the longest-running summer theater companies in the United States, but there it is - tucked unpretentiously off Needles Highway.
The Black Hills Playhouse was established in 1946 by a professor at the University of South Dakota. He moved his company into buildings which had originally been constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. Since then, there have been numerous updates and improvements made to the facilities, which now host a world-class theater company composed of people from all over the country.
I have never been shy about tooting my own horn. I don't think my ego is out of control, mind you, but if I've done something that I'm proud of, I want other people to know about it.
You may have noticed that I haven't put up many posts here lately (oops, there's the ego), and that is because I have been spending every free moment wrapped in a babushka and apron, learning to sing "Matchmaker, Matchmaker." That's right, Fiddler on the Roof is almost here, and it is going to be wonderful.
As promised in my previous post, here are some examples of posters that advertised different shows at the Homestake Opera House in its early days.
Last night, I went up to Lead to audition for Fiddler on the Roof. The Historic Lead Deadwood Arts Council is putting on the production, directed by a woman from Pierre who is remarkably talented and coaxing talent out of small communities. Auditions were held (and the production will be) at the Homestake Opera House.
Until a couple years ago, I didn't even know Lead had an Opera House. I thought of Opera Houses as being big city commodities; I thought of Lead as being a grubby mining community whose entertainment venues were much more likely to include bars and dance halls.
Then I realized I was blaming Lead for what I know of Deadwood's habits during its early mining camp days.
Love chocolate? So do I, in case my quest for the perfect hot chocolate wasn't enough indication. Today's chocolate report, however, is about truffles - "obscenely good" truffles, no less.
Laura was born and raised in the Black Hills before setting out to make her fortune in the wide world. After traveling extensively through Iowa, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, she realized that financial fortunes are difficult to acquire if you spend all your money on cherry beer and train tickets. She managed to pick up a masters degree in archeology along the way, along with an appreciation of French wine, Belgian waffles, and Iowa corn. Now back in her native South Dakota, she satisfies her wanderlust by soaking up all the beautiful scenery and historic treasures the Hills have to offer (though you'll also catch her stashing loose change in a jar labeled "next trip to Europe").
