Theater part of local history

Theater has been a part of Lower Sandusky and Fremont from early pioneer days, spurred by the efforts of pioneer businessman Thomas Hawkins and later centered on the beautiful opera house that stood for decades on the northwest corner of Arch and State streets.

Many will recall the demolition of that opera house in 1958 to make way for the Liberty National Bank building. And they also will recall that at the time a young organization that became known as Fremont Community Theatre was working hard to continue to provide culture to the community.

While the founders and supporters of the community theatre were looking for a home at the time the opera house met the wrecking ball, the historic building understandably was too big for the young group to tackle.

After all, the group had only organized in the mid-1950s, the brainchild of friends, Sally Ruland, Henry Smith and Bob and Carrie Staeger. They had their hands full doing just about everything it takes to offer drama to the community — building scenery, selling tickets, seeking sponsors and playing the roles on stage.

The then private theater group was originally known as the Fremont Penthouse Players, because the Fremont Order of the Moose provided a room on the fourth floor of the Masonic Temple — another beautiful historic building that stood where the Fort Stephenson building now stands on State Street.

The first production, “Harvey,” was presented at the Masonic Temple in 1956.

Bob Staeger — who had a bachelor’s degree in dramatics — and his wife, who were driving forces in the early effort, left Fremont for professional advancement after the third production, but another couple with great passion for the arts and the theater — Don and Sally Harlan — joined the group in the early days.

Through the years, the community theater had met, rehearsed or performed dramas, musicals and comedies in about two dozen different locations, from the council chambers of the old city hall to the Ross High School’s Little Theatre and Fremont Junior High School.

The theater group — which changed its name when it lost its Masonic Hall Penthouse — broke ground for its own home on Vanguard Place at the end of 1970.

More than three years of fundraising and volunteer construction efforts culminated in the production of “Teahouse of the August Moon” in January of 1974.

In season after season since, the group has continued to delight audiences and keep performers and other volunteers busy promoting and nurturing the arts for the community.

The efforts continue this month with the presentation of “Escanaba in Da Moonlight,” a Michigan Upper Peninsula comedy, March 13, 14, 15 and 20, 21 and 22.

Roy Wilhelm started a 40-year career at The News-Messenger in 1965, as a reporter. Now retired, he is writing about the history of some Sandusky County businesses.