Shelby County Players set for inaugural performance in new facility

Shelby County Players’ first production at the Wortman Family Civic Theatre debuts Friday.

”Don’t Drink the Water” is set for six shows over two weeks at the new facility located at 1416 Miller Avenue on Shelbyville’s west side.

The performance dates are:

• Friday at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday at 2 p.m.
• May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
• May 9 at 7:30 p.m.
• May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for those 21-and-younger. Sunday matinee ticket prices are $15 (adults) and $5 (21 and younger).

Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.shelbycountyplayers.org; or purchase tickets at the box office on the day of the show.

Don't Drink the Water was written by Woody Allen in the late 1960s. The comedy takes place in an American embassy in a communist country. A family takes refuge in the embassy after seeing something they should not have seen, according to director Mark Owens, who appeared on the GIANT fm Morning Show earlier this week.

”It’s a very funny play,” said Owens.

There is no deeper meaning to Allen’s play being the first Shelby County Players’ production in its new facility.

”We wanted to start with something where people could laugh,” said Cindy Leahy, Executive Director of Shelby County Players. “This (play) is very visual. This is belly laughing from the get go. No one has to think to seriously about what is going on. They just have to come and laugh and have fun.”

Friday’s production is the realization of a dream that began in 2019. Shelby County Players owned the former 44 Bowl on Miller Avenue and wanted to create its all-inclusive facility.

”We’ve taken a former bowling alley and turned it into a state-of-the-art theatre,” said Leahy.

Construction started in 2023 and work was completed as recently as last week with the paving of the parking lot.

Phase I of the project is completed as recently, according to Leahy, who credits dozens of companies, contractors and volunteers with making the community theatre a reality.

”It’s not state-of-the-art yet. Phase II will be getting all the technology,” said Leahy. “Most of the technology (now) is what we used to use. We have a few things that give us a taste of what is to come in terms of LED and digital equipment.”

Leahy stressed that the building is not just for play productions. It was constructed for multiple community uses.

”The facility is not just for the (Shelby County Players),” she said. “We are not just going to be doing plays and that’s all that happens. The concept was built with the fact the community needs to use this building.

”We have the ability to bring in meetings, poetry readings or recitals. The sky is the limit.”