Out & About

Neil Simon’s ‘Fools’ Staged at Towngate Theatre

2 min read
Oglebay Institute’s Parcel Players will present Neil Simon’s “Fools” through July 21 at Towngate Theatre. Cast members include Gavin Rheinhardt, seated; first row, from left, Emma McFarland, Bob McCoy, Grace Thompson, Kash McCardle, Louis McKinley, and Shelby Gibson. Back row, left to right, Miles Jarrett and Claire McFadden. Not pictured is Vincent Bruno. (Photo Provided)

WHEELING -- Oglebay Institute's Parcel Players open their summer season with Neil Simon's comic fable "Fools." The production continues through this weekend at Towngate Theatre in Wheeling.

Oglebay Institute's Parcel Players summer theater program offers young people interested in theater a chance to act, direct, design sets, work with costumes, lighting and more while providing fine entertainment to the public. By fostering young talent, Parcel Players helps ensure the future of community theater in the Ohio Valley.

"Fools" is the comic tale of Leon, an enthusiastic young schoolteacher who seeks to cure the village of Kulyenchikov from the curse of chronic stupidity from which they have been suffering for 200 years.

Cast members are Claire McFadden, Miles Jarrett, Kash McCardle, Grace Thompson, Gavin Rheinhardt, Emma McFarland, Louis McKinley, Shelby Gibson, Bob McCoy and Vincent Bruno.

"Fools" will be staged at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 18-20. A 3 p.m. matinee takes place Sunday, July 21.

Tickets for the show are just $12. Purchase at www.oionline.com, by calling 304-242-7700 or at the door, if available.

The Parcel Players 2024 Season is sponsored by Unified Bank. A production of "Bye Bye Birdie" takes place Aug. 8-11.

Part of the nonprofit Oglebay Institute, Towngate Theatre is located across the street from St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in the historic Centre Market District of Wheeling at 2118 Market St.

Towngate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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