Hunt Powers Has Leads in 3 Meadowbrook Plays [archived newspaper article]

 The Hartford Current

September 12, 1965

NEW FAIRFIELD (Special) – The newly-formed Meadowbrook Playhouse concludes its season this week with the second week of its run of “Sound of Music.”

     Hunt Powers, a regular player on television “General Hospital” series in the main role of Dr. Ken Martin, is portraying Baron von Trapp at Meadowbrook.

     The theater began its season on August 3 with “Harvey” and has produced a half dozen plays this summer. Its Fall season is scheduled to begin the last week in September. For “Sound of Music” curtains will be Tuesday through Saturday at 8:30 p.m. with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

     Powers, who will also have major roles in “Blue Denim” and “Tea and Sympathy” has for years been a summer resident in Connecticut. Od Swedish, English and Cherokee heritage, he is the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Engstrom of 21 Brookland Rd., Southington and is a grandson, three times removed of Millard Fillmore, the 13^th U.S. President.

    Powers career is rounded with motion pictures, Broadway off-Broadway plays and coast-to- coast summer stock. Among his stage credits are “Sweet Bird of Youth,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Richard the III,” “The Fantasticks” and west coast premiere of “Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore.”

     “Ever since my ancestors settled in New England in 1656, someone of the family has lived in Connecticut so there’s always that wonderful feeling of coming home when my schedule allows for a visit here. My work has been mostly in California for the past eight years and I don’t get to see my relatives as often as I’d like to.”

     “Sound of Music” is being produced by John P. Kizarr and directed by Dickson Hughes, who is wielding the musical baton as well.

     Dianne Barton co-stars as Maria opposite Powers.

     The 38-member cast features resident luminaries Ed Penn, Wally Griffin, Joseph Masiell, Dina Paisner and Jan Tanzy.

     Baron Maximillian von Waldeck created the costumes and Peter Wingate, having just completed a season at the Royal Alexandria in Toronto, has designed the sets and is in charge of lighting.

     Reservations may be made by calling the box office daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

[submitted by Michael Ferguson]