Trumpet season goes through Aug. 17

Trumpet in the Land shows are nearing the end of their season, but there’s still time to attend that show and others by Aug. 17. For fans of cooler weather, the schedule includes two fall shows planned for September and October.

According to Margaret Bonamico, general manager at Trumpet in the Land, at press time they only had one rain out this season, which was opening night in June. Two shows were canceled when a water line break occurred in July, adding the repair cost to Trumpet’s budget for the year. Bonamico is ready to move on with the season, which still holds much entertainment.

The remaining show dates include the following:

—“Trumpet in the Land” on July 27 and Aug. 1, 3, 8, 9, 15, 16 and 17.

—“Footloose” on July 26 and Aug. 2 and 10.

—“The Enchanted Bookshop” on July 31 and Aug. 7. The shows are for children and start at 6 p.m.

In the fall two shows will be featured. “Assassins” is a musical that will be performed Sept. 13-15, and “Dracula” will be performed Oct. 4-5 and Oct. 11-12.

“'The Enchanted Bookshop' is a very cute show. It's about a bookstore, and the literary characters in the books come to life once the store is closed,” Bonamico said. “There's characters like Dorothy from 'The Wizard of Oz' and Tom Sawyer, Long John Silver and Dr. Doolittle and so many different kinds of characters.”

The story of “Trumpet in the Land” is one that is still relevant today.

“I think that the message of 'Trumpet' is the peace and brotherhood that we all hope and dream of,” Bonamico said. “As long as there's wars going on, the show is always going to be relevant because we're still trying to figure out how to do that. More than 200 years later, we're still fighting the same war, if you really think about.”

Bonamico said the organization’s efforts to keep the story of “Trumpet” alive are appreciated by those visitors whose ancestors were victims. But other descendants have attended as well.

“One person we did have come see the show was a descendant of Col. Williamson,” Bonamico said. “That was an interesting moment. They didn't know a huge amount about him and were disappointed in his actions.”

Williamson led the militia that was responsible for the Gnadenhutten massacre. His legacy now is mass murder.

An outdoor show is a draw for audiences. The sunsets and seeing the stars on a clear night contribute to the show.

“It's just a beautiful setting out here, to sit here and see everything. I do think that's probably the one thing that they most enjoy,” Bonamico said.

The setting can be a blessing or a curse when bad weather threatens.

The show encourages guests to visit the area historical Moravian mission sites before they see the show.

“We tell them it's not necessary, but it would (enhance) the experience of seeing the show, make them understand a little bit more if they went and saw what was there,” Bonamico said, adding they also recommend a visit to Fort Laurens.

A change in the state fire laws has forced the drama to do away with a scene that portrays the church at Gnadenhutten on fire.

“We're not allowed to burn our church. For the past three years, we've had to do things with lighting. And that is the one question that people ask us all the time,” Bonamico said. “We've been trying for three years to get through the red tape to make it work. So right now that's my biggest challenge.”

After COVID it also has been more of a challenge to assemble a full cast, but Bonamico is appreciative every year they have managed to get a little larger cast than the year before.

Trumpet dedicated the 2024 season to Doris Kimble, who passed away in July 2023 at the age of 95. Her support meant quite a bit to the show.

“It’s not just financial support; it was her emotional support of the show,” Bonamico said. “She was always very complimentary of the organization and of the production. Her support meant a lot to the continuation of the drama — when you have people that like what you're doing, that support what you're doing and feel that you do a good job. She did a lot for this community in general.”

Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 330-339-1132. Tickets also are available at the door. Visit www.trumpetintheland.com.