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Dakota Midday: Black Hills Playhouse Ready For 70th Season

Located in Custer State Park at the site of an old Civilian Conservation Corp camp, the Black Hills Playhouse brings artists from all over the nation to create theater productions for residents and people visiting the Black Hills, and educational experiences for students of theater.

The playhouse is affiliated with the University of South Dakota and is one of the oldest summer stock theaters in the nation. Each summer four to six plays are offered covering musicals, drama, and comedies during 72 performances Tuesdays through Sundays.

The playhouse presents a sneak peak review of the 2015 season on Sunday with its Tatanka Teaser at 2 pm. This year's show's are To Kill a Mockingbird, She Loves Me, Shrek: the Musical, and Moonlight and Magnolias.

Executive director Linda Anderson and artistic director Dan Workman joined Dakota Midday to discuss the theater's 70th anniversary season.

For more information, visit theBlack Hills Playhouse website.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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