Our Program on October 5th featured a talk by Don Stolz, In his introduction , Darel Leipold told of Don's arrival at the new theater in 1941, a recent graduate of Northwestern University, carrying his MFA degree under his arm. He looked much too young for the director's job, and the locals were concerned but soon found out that he was more than qualified.

Don began his talk by quickly sketching the theater scene in the Twin Cities in the 1930s.....there was none. The last acting company had gone out of business (offstage?) in 1933 due to the depression and the effects of movies and radio. A group of local Excelsior people got together, converted a barn into a stage theater in 1940, and the Old Log Theater was born. In the early years, the cast presented a different play each week - 13 different plays in a 13 week season. (Admission was 50 cents, and because of the condition of the roof, it was risky to go to a play on a rainy night. Coke was sold - 5 cents - from a kiosk during the intermission.)

Don told a number of anecdotes involving the theater, some involving on-stage incidents, but mostly involving the box office. Don is seldom at a loss for words, and his visits to our club are always memorable.

Don recently completed a book about the Old Log Theater, describing many of the incidents that have occurred through the years. Local reviewers recommend the book which is available at Excelsior Bay Books, Old Log Theater, Leipold's, or directly from Don. Pictured with Don is Karen Frazier purchasing Don's new book about the Old Log. (Story by Tad Shaw and posting and photo by Steve Frazier)