2008.09.25
50 years of bliss began at Showtimers Theatre
Before there was Showtimers, there was Oak Grove Church of the Brethren. In 1958, Dan Brogan and Eleanor Spangler were married there, one year after Spangler graduated, and two years after Brogan graduated from Andrew Lewis High School.
"I guess you'd say were were high school sweethearts," the now-Eleanor Brogan said. The couple dated for four years and attended church together. As she thumbed through her photo album, pictures of their wedding at the now-remodeled Showtimer's Theatre filled the pages before it turned to pictures of their five children--Martha, Mark, Marshall, Mary Beth, and Marilyn.
Her honeymoon vehicle was decorated in writing--courtesy of Dan's four brothers. One slogan was a new take on an old western show starring Paladin: "Have woman, will travel."
They'd planned to attend "Biloxi Blues" for their golden anniversary with their family, but with "all the kids and grandkids," Brogan said, it would've been difficult. She does attend shows--and still attends Oak Grove Church, which only moved down the street.
The theatre began in 1951 at Roanoke College's outside amphitheater, and when Oak Grove moved in 1960, they took advantage of the new venue.
"Biloxi Blues" plays tonight (Thursday, Sept. 25) through this Saturday, starting at 8 p.m. The final showing will be on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. Auditions for the next play, "Come Back, Little Sheba" will be on Saturday Sept 27, 2008 at 2:00pm and Sunday Sept 28, 2008 at 7:00pm. Visit www.showtimers.org for more information.
