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Pioneer Playhouse facts for kids

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Pioneer Playhouse
Pioneer Playhouse Danville KY.jpg
Pioneer Playhouse
Address 840 Stanford Rd
Danville, Kentucky
Coordinates 37°38′20″N 84°45′24″W / 37.63889°N 84.75667°W / 37.63889; -84.75667
Type Summerstock
Opened 1950
Website
www.pioneerplayhouse.com

The Pioneer Playhouse, located in Danville, Kentucky, is the oldest outdoor theater in the state of Kentucky.

History

Pioneer Playhouse, Mainstreet museum
19th Century Main Street village and museum

The Pioneer Playhouse was built by Col. Eben C. Henson who established the outdoor theater in 1950. Notable alumni actors include John Travolta, Lee Majors, then known as Harvey Yeary, and Jim Varney. In 1962, Pioneer Playhouse became the first theater in the nation to be accorded the legal status of State Theater by act of Legislation.

Since Henson's death in 2004 the theater has been run by Henson's widow, Charlotte. Her daughter Holly served as artistic director until her death in 2012. Robby Henson, her son, directs at least one play at the theater every summer.

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