RUGBY - Village Arts will sponsor "three events in one" at the Prairie Village Museum in Rugby on Friday, June 22, at its "Hee Haw Barn Dance Extravaganza."
"It's not a usual summer musical theatre production," Village Arts' Deb Jenkins said. "It's more of an extravaganza."
Jenkins said artistic director Glory Monson formulated a plan to bring in a group of musicians from outside of North Dakota in addition to the community's opportunity to enjoy young local actors.
The youth theatre production of "Hee Haw Hayride," a musical comedy, will start at 5:30 p.m. Audience members should bring their own chairs or blankets, viewing the production on the new, permanent stage Village Arts is building on the museum grounds. A picnic supper at 6:30 p.m. follows, served by Prairie Village Museum staff. Then, at 7:30 p.m., Minnesota's "North Country Fiddle and Dance Band" will play for an "Old Fashioned Barn Dance."
The organization typically produces a community summer musical but searched for a unique way to entertain the community in 2012 when the Tilman Hovland auditorium at the local high school became unavailable due to construction and renovation.
"It's always a bonus when community groups collaborate to present something of quality," Monson said. "The Prairie Village Museum has been important in the history of Village Arts since our founding. We have produced a number of shows on the grounds and enjoyed strong support by their staff and membership.
"We are always looking for ways to entertain and involve people of all ages. This will be a night of family fun for everyone."
All-inclusive tickets for the play, picnic and dance are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors age 65 and over, $7 for kids ages 7 to 17, and free for ages 6 and under. Tickets are available from Youth Theatre participants, at the museum and at the door.