Old Log Theatre facts for kids
| Formation | 1940 |
|---|---|
| Type | Theatre group |
| Location |
The Old Log Theatre was a very special place in Minnesota. It was the oldest professional theater in the state. Some people even said it was the oldest professional theater that kept running without stopping in the whole United States. It was located in Excelsior. The theater made all its money from selling tickets and from its restaurant.
Sadly, the owners, Greg and Marissa Frankenfield, announced their retirement on February 20, 2024. This meant the theater and its restaurant would close for good. The very last show, a tribute to Buddy Holly, happened on March 2, 2024.
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A Look Back: The Old Log Theatre's Story
The Old Log Theatre first opened its doors in 1940. It was in Greenwood. The first building was a log cabin with a dirt floor. Today, that old building is used as a shop for making scenery.
For most of its history, the theater showed funny plays. These included "screwball comedies" and British farces. In its early years, it was a "summer stock" company. This means actors would put on a new show almost every week during the summer. The first building could seat 270 people.
The Theater Building
During the 1950s, the Old Log Theatre became very popular. It needed a bigger space for all its visitors. So, in 1965, a new theater was built. It was located on 10 acres (about 40,000 square meters) next to the original building.
Herb Bloomberg, a builder, designed the new theater. It was made to look like a big barn. The lobby had a cozy fireplace and a high ceiling. This new building could seat 655 people. Herb Bloomberg later built and ran the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.
Who Owned the Theater?
For 73 years, the Old Log Theatre was owned by Don Stolz. He joined the theater in 1941 when he was 23. He was a student studying theater at Northwestern University. Don Stolz was hired to direct plays. He even acted in The Taming of the Shrew on his second day!
He bought the theater in 1946. Don Stolz produced and directed most of the shows. He oversaw more than 600 different plays. He also helped television grow in the Twin Cities. Don Stolz passed away on February 14, 2015, at 97 years old.
In 2006, some of Don Stolz's sons took over running the theater. But Don Stolz still stayed involved. He would often give a short speech before and after each show.
New Owners and Renovations
Greg and Marissa Frankenfield bought the theater and restaurant in May 2013. They loved theater and had supported many local and Broadway shows.
The theater was changed to seat 560 people. In the summer of 2014, it was updated. The stage became deeper, and new sound and lighting systems were added. The restaurant, which could seat 250 people, was also renovated. It reopened as Cast & Cru in the fall of 2014.
Many Visitors
It is estimated that about 6 million people attended shows at the Old Log Theatre over the years. That's a lot of theater lovers!
Famous Actors Who Performed There
Many talented actors performed at the Old Log Theatre. Some of them became very well-known. These include Charles Nolte, Loni Anderson, Nick Nolte, Julia Duffy, Steve Zahn, and long-time news anchor Dave Moore.
