Classic Creamery: Curtain's rising on new season, new artistic director for troupe

By Diana Nollen

The season's new, the artistic director is new, but the face is familiar to Old Creamery Theatre patrons in Amana and beyond.

Resident funnyman Sean McCall, 43, of Marengo, is taking on a new role at the professional theater, where he's been employed for 17 years.

Audiences have laughed at his rubber-faced antics in such recent shows as “Nuncrackers,” “The Odd Couple” and the current “Shady Business,” but he's been working behind the scenes for most of the past decade as associate artistic director. He's also served since June as the troupe's interim artistic director.

He will continue to serve as the Creamery's Equity union liaison; and will oversee all artistic products, including hiring actors, stage managers, directors and designers; helping to establish the company's operating budget, which is about $850,000 to $900,000; and presenting new seasons to the board of directors.

The former position of producing artistic director was split in June, with Tom Milligan of East Amana assuming the producing director duties. McCall expects that trend to continue, which will allow them to focus on different areas. Milligan and McCall also will direct some of next season's shows, which range from broad comedies and musicals to classics of the American stage.

McCall isn't turning away from the roar of the greasepaint. He'll make sure to carve out some time onstage, as well.

“I will never be satisfied to not perform,” he says. “It's my passion first and foremost.” With “a lot of organizing and preplanning,” he hopes to be able to perform in three or four shows next season.

Of course, since he's doing the casting and hiring, he can cast himself. He admits that prospect makes him a little nervous.

“I can't run the risk of having people say, ‘I can't believe he cast himself there.' I'll try to be mindful to cast myself where I belong,” he says.

McCall came to the Creamery from his native Kansas City in 1992.

“Originally, I was just hired as an actor for a 14-week gig, beginning with ‘Lend Me a Tenor,' a show I've always wanted to do,” he says. “They offered me that gig and kept me on for ‘A Christmas Carol,' then brought me back for the kids' tour in the spring. By then, they were offering me stuff for all of 1993, and from that, I turned into a resident company member.”

His goals in his new position include building on the Creamery's history and helping to strengthen it financially for future generations.

The troupe, founded in Garrison, will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2011. That's a significant milestone for a regional theater, McCall says.

“When you see (similar theaters) dropping like flies across the country, it's a tough time for theaters,” he says. “The fact that this one has been here for 40 years is a testament to all of the folks who have worked so hard to keep it here.”

One way to help ensure its future is to nurture the next generations of theatergoers, which the Creamery has been doing with school outreach since the beginning. Theater offerings for young people also have been expanded to include four Saturday main stage shows.

“I grew up going to children's theater and my parents took me to the theater in Kansas City,” McCall says. “I really believe we need to introduce young people to theater to get it in the collective conscious for entertainment and career choices.”

The troupe's outreach extends to young adults, as well.

“We're still trying to get the word out - we have a Facebook page - trying to find ways to remind people under the age of 40 that we exist and to try to introduce them to how much fun and interesting a night at the theater can be.”

With all of those considerations comes crafting a season that will appeal to the Creamery's established patrons, as well as bring in new audience members.

“I have to be responsible in the financial world,” he says. “We need to pick shows with small enough casts that we can afford to pay them, and have enough commercial appeal through the season to provide the income we need to be here year after year.”

That is made even more important since the Creamery relies on ticket sales for about 80 percent of its income. The other 20 percent comes from donations and sponsorships.

The 2010 season blends the best of what McCall loves so much - musical theater and comedy, with several American classics.

“We're very excited to do ‘Blithe Spirit' and put some funny ghosts on stage in one of our favorite plays,” he says. “For the studio plays, we're very close to inking a deal. We'll probably announce in the next couple of weeks a new location for our studio space, where we get to go back to the classics like ‘Glass Menagerie' or the new quirky plays like ‘Red, White & Tuna.'

“We get to do all of those things within the season at the Old Creamery, including children's theater, so that's exciting.” And all six of the main stage shows are new to the Creamery stage, and he vows to keep his eyes open for such shows in the coming season.

Speaking of vows, another fringe benefit from his years with the Creamery was meeting his wife, Jackie, there and marrying her in a ceremony on stage July 5, 2008, followed by fireworks outdoors and dancing until 3 a.m.

“We chose that date because the theater was dark, which meant we didn't have to get married in front of a living room set, and we could get married in a place that meant a lot to us.”

Like Sean, Jackie works onstage as an actress, and behind the scenes as the Creamery's director of development and education.

He says they do find things to talk about besides work, but also is glad they work in the same place.

“If we didn't, we wouldn't see each other much. Working in a not-for-profit demands a lot. We might get to work at 10 a.m., have rehearsal in the afternoon and shows at night. We're glad the cats (Bianca and Bernard) have an auto-feeder and auto-litterbox.”

2010 season* Season packages: Main Stage, $114; 6-Pack, $125; Complete Season, $140. Order forms and information at www.oldcreamery.com/2010Season.php

Main Stage

* “Everybody Loves Opal,” by John Patrick, April 29 to May 23. Comedy, with Marquetta Senters as Opal Kronkie. When three “friends” decide Opal needs plenty of life insurance and a rapid demise, she still radiates kindness, affection and gratitude.

* “Rumors,” by Neil Simon, June 3 to July 3. Comedy. An anniversary party for New York's deputy mayor turns into a wild night of adventures for four couples.

* “A Don't Hug Me County Fair,” by Phil Olson, July 15 to Aug. 15. Musical comedy. The folks from Bunyan Bay are back in a new show. It's county fair time and the Miss Walleye competition is in full swing. Things get tense as Bernice and Clara vie for the crown.

* Title to be announced, Sept. 9 to Oct. 17. The Old Creamery has been trying to get the rights to this musical comedy for more than four years, and has finally succeeded. But it's a secret until January.

* “Blithe Spirit,” by Noel Coward, Oct. 21 to Nov. 14, 2010. Comedy. What if the ghost of your first wife moves in with you and your new wife, but only you can see her? An eccentric psychic accidentally brings back the spirit of Charles' late wife, setting off a battle between the women for rightful possession of their husband.

* “Plaid Tidings,” by Stuart Ross, Nov. 18 to Dec. 19, 2010. Musical. The boys from “Forever Plaid” are back to complete a special mission: They must use their heavenly harmonies and humor to help folks celebrate the Christmas season to its fullest, with 1950s music and holiday favorites.

Studio Series: Made in America

* “The Glass Menagerie,” by Tennessee Williams, April 8 to 25. Classic drama.

 * “Red, White & Tuna,” by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, Aug. 19 to Sept. 5. Comedy sequel to “Greater Tuna” and “A Tuna Christmas.”

* Title to be announced, Sept. 30 to Oct. 17. Negotiating rights for another American classic.

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