May 31, June 6, 7, 13 (2 & 6 pm), 14, 1970
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, adapted for the theater by Patricia Gray, is about Bilbo Baggins' fantastic adventures traveling through the mythical lands of Middle Earth. The cast included hobbits, goblins, and dwarfs. And elves, played by children. The youngest elf, four-year-old John Moen, had his foot stepped on by a larger elf during a particularly tumultuous scene. In good theatrical tradition, he stayed in character on-stage, controlling his tears until he was off-stage in mom's arms.
A pond large enough to hold a one-person raft was dug on one side of the stage. Gollum (Anne Peaslee) floated on the raft. The home of the dragon Smaug (Dick Kahler) was nearby. The spectacular costumes for Smaug and Gollum, made of vinyl to resemble dragon skin and to emphasize Gollum's subterranean life, were hot and uncomfortable on sunny days.
The show also used poofers. At the last performance the pyrotechnic crew used all the remaining powder, so they wouldn't have to store it. Don Phillips, as Beorn, was to step on a poofer and smoke would rise up around him. But the extra powder created flames as well as smoke and singed the seat of his pants. When he got off stage, costumer Barbara McCoy rushed to him asking, "Are you all right?" while Don's wife Pearl wanted to know, "Why did you ruin Barbara's costume?
The Hobbit was wildly popular. Even with an added late performance, 6,866 total saw the play, an average of 1144 per show.
