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Jon Kimbell joined the cast for the first time, coming from Portsmouth’s “Theatre-By-The-Sea … indeed a very welcome talented addition to the company, an association that continued for several seasons until Jon went on to become the artistic director of the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA. Stage Manager, Charles Davisson, was indeed a most welcome and highly valued addition to the company who continued on in this capacity at Hampton for several seasons. Ethel Smith, noted for her talents on the electric organ, proved a big favorite with Hampton audiences who had seen her on various TV variety shows and of course was a valuable asset to after-theatre parties during the season.
Frank Vohs remembers … “Once, when I was playing Solomon, an 80 year old former furniture appraiser in THE PRICE, an apprentice came backstage crying. She said I was exactly like her grandfather. It was moments like this that made working at Hampton Playhouse so worthwhile. Over the years other Equity candidates would come to me for advice or just watch me from the wings. Occasionally I was able to give them a class. It was gratifying to think I may have been a part of molding their lives.”
Jon Kimbell remembers … “Hampton Playhouse was the beginning of my professional career. It’s where I got my Actor’s Equity card, where I learned how to act, stage manage, and eventually direct. Working with John and Alfred taught me about collaboration, budgets, time limits, and most of all, dedication. The number of shows I did there are too many to count. For six seasons, I did almost every production in some capacity. We did wonderful drama, like Arthur Miller’s THE PRICE, musicals like FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and ridiculous farces (my favorites) like IN ONE BED AND OUT THE OTHER. The companies and staffs that were hired for each of those seasons were always comprised of people who loved the theater and grew to love Hampton Playhouse. So many of us returned year after year; it became a family and to this day I remain friends with many theater people I met at the Playhouse.”