News

Vagabonds put on show 'For the Rock'

By Bill Moss, Published: December 12, 2012

FLAT ROCK — Vagabonds past and present poked fun at themselves and at the politics surrounding the financial crisis that threatened the Playhouse's future.

They sang and danced. They thanked patrons for supporting the Playhouse.
The benefit concert Tuesday night featured musicians, dancers, singers and actors, some in their 20s who had just arrived at Flat Rock, others veterans like Ralph Redpath, who has been at the Playhouse for 42 years.
Redpath recalled his early days at the Playhouse in 1970s when founding director Robroy Farquhar was still at the helm. One time at the Apple Festival parade, Farquhar, dressed as the iconic vagabond toting a bundle over his shoulder, strode down the parade route handing out playbills from the past season to children.
Children were befuddled, he said, but Robroy didn't care. "He was preparing for the next season," he said.
"Be a brick, buy a brick" was a regular refrain from Farquhar when he appealed for donations before shows, Dennis Maulden and Johanna Erlenbach said.
The show attracted more than 300 patrons who paid a minimum of a $25 ticket, which would generate $7,500. Larger donations were accepted and a raffle and silent auction raised money, too.