Get Cultured in Bolivar

Experience some impressive theatre, plus other great tips to make it a food- and fun-filled weekend.

Photo Edward Biamonte Stephen Johnson and Betsy House get into character in the Walnut Street Theatre's recent production of Misery.

Since its opening in August 2000, The Walnut Street Theatre in Bolivar has been making a scene—literally. The nonprofit, volunteer-operated theatre puts on several performances a year. Many of the performances are musicals and comedies with a drama or two mixed in. It is the brainchild of Bolivar residents Betsy House Johnson and her husband, Stephen Johnson, who is executive director of The Walnut Street Theatre. Both have artistic backgrounds and wanted to start a theatre. Lucky for Bolivar, that is where the talented duo lived, so that is where the theatre came to be. “Bolivar was starved for culture,” says Betsy. Well it seems Betsy had just the right recipe for Bolivar’s culture craving.

The Walnut Street Theatre’s Cinderella-like story is comparable to the best fictional script. Like any great play, it includes a love story. Betsy, who is now president of The Walnut Street Theatre Association and artistic director of the theatre, seems to fit the role of one who belongs in the theatre scene. At the age of 40, she went back to college at Southwest Baptist University, and it was there that she got involved in theatre. She joined the school’s theatre department and started working with make-up and costume design, then she started directing plays. As fate would have it, Stephen had similar interests. He had worked in the California film industry for 30 years. They decided that the theatre business was for them, and they made their dream come true.

This Cinderella story wouldn’t be complete without some hard work, and there was plenty of that. The couple came across what would be the setting for many great scenes—there was space available on the second floor of the Over 50’s Club. The building, which is the current location for The Walnut Street Theatre, is a more than 100-year-old former church, so there were many adjustments that needed to be made. With the help of local volunteers, they managed to build a stage, two restrooms and a box office. Other major renovations included tearing out two ceilings, stripping the old carpet and painting the interior. After quite a bit of labor, their project was complete.

While the majority of the renovations are finishing projects, Betsy still has her work cut out for her. She does regular maintenance on the theatre—and that’s just the beginning. The best part of this story is what goes on behind the curtains. Betsy starts each theatre production by reading many scripts. While a few of the scripts have been written by Betsy and others, most are bought. Betsy says that the “biggest expense is paying royalties for companies that provide scripts.”

While it is a pricey prop, the script is a very important aspect to each performance. “I usually read a script four times before I ever have a vision,” says Betsy. Most performances are family-friendly, but Betsy says that the theatre will occasionally put on a more adult-oriented performance. If a play is not suitable for children, that is made known, but children often attend despite the adult content. “As a playwright and director, I discourage censorship,” says Betsy. “You find a great script, and it’s amazing what people are willing to accept.”

Besides choosing a script, Betsy directs five to six weeks of rehearsals for each play. She also helps with sets, costumes and basically anything else that needs doing. While there is no rest for the director, Betsy is quick to admit that the volunteers are immensely helpful. They help with the 80- to 100-plus hours of hard work that go into every production. It is clear that Betsy is grateful for the help of the volunteers and The Walnut Street Theatre Association Board of Directors, which includes five members besides Betsy and Stephen.

In October, you can see The Sugar Bean Sisters and audition for Swingtime Canteen.

The theatre now provides theater workshops for children, and theatre patrons often come back for an encore. “We’re like an infection,” says Betsy. “Once you get us in your system, you can’t get rid of us.”

Make it a Weekend

If the Walnut Street Theatre tickled your fancy, plan a few days’ stay in Bolivar. We’ve found spots for you to eat, sleep and have a little fun while you’re there.

STAY:
Eden Bed & Breakfast
Enjoy peace and quiet at the heavenly and quaint Eden Bed & Breakfast. The beautiful valley with its gardens and pond will help you escape the hustle and bustle of 417-land life. The charming guesthouse comes equipped with a kitchen, fireplace and hot tub outside the door. You can choose to have breakfast taken to your cabin in the morning or bring your own food. $100-130 per couple, $20 for an additional person. Located about 8 miles south of Bolivar, 1694 E. 552nd Road, Brighton, 417-267-2820, edenbedandbreakfast.com.

EAT:
The Country Hearth and Tea Garden Café
There’s both shopping and dining at The Country Hearth and Tea Garden Café. The Tea Garden Café overlooks The Country Hearth gift shop in a 100 year-old building. Popular menu items include the Sweet William Sandwich, which includes bacon, turkey, ham and Swiss cheese on a croissant. Also popular is the Honeysuckle Salad, which is made with chicken, sprouts, cashews and a homemade honey mustard dressing. Other menu items include soup and the quiche of the day. Teatime is served in the Tea Room and includes scones, crumpets, muffins, flavored butters and tea served in a Victorian style china teapot. The Country Hearth gift shop just below the Tea Garden Café has a wide range of coffee and teas, as well as home décor items, beauty products and children’s accessories. Open Monday-Saturday, 11 p.m.–3 p.m. with teatime 3 p.m.–4 p.m. and The Country Hearth gift shop hours from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; 113 S. Main St., Bolivar, 417-326-3568, thecountryhearth.com.

LJ’s Bistro & Bakery
At LJ’s Bistro & Bakery, the ingredients are bought from local farmers by owner Lucinda Young. She prides herself on making sure she picks the freshest, tastiest ingredients to create the daily specials. If your trip to Bolivar brings you to the bistro on Thursday or Friday, then make sure you try the most popular daily special: the Big Juicy burger and double-fried fries. The soups are made from scratch, and chances are you won’t have the same thing twice because the menu changes with the seasons. For your sweet tooth, there are pies, bars cookies, cakes and cinnamon rolls. Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; 920 S. Springfield Avenue, Suite D, Bolivar; 417-777-6434.

DO:
Frisco Highline Trail
Take a walk down history lane on the Frisco Highline Trail. The now-public trail system used to be a railroad traveled by President Harry Truman. Now you won’t see any motorized vehicles on the trail, just walkers, runners, cyclists and rollerbladers. It’s the second longest rail trail in Missouri, and it’s beautiful in the fall. Don’t miss La Petite Gemme Prairie near the Bolivar trailhead on mile marker 32. It’s one of the best examples of a native Missouri prairie. The prairie has an abundance of wildlife and vegetation including tall grasses, wildflowers and many native prairie birds and other animals. Ozark Greenways, 417-864-2015; Bolivar Conservation Office, 417-326-5189; friscohighlinetrail.org.

Dunnegan Gallery of Art
The Dunnegan Gallery of Art will have its annual National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society exhibition from through October 17. It also has a permanent collection based on the private art collection of the Dunnegan Family. Some of the permanent collection, which is always on display, includes sculptures, woodcarvings, glass, and oil and watercolor paintings. Admission is free. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1 p.m.–4 p.m., and Sunday 1 pm.–4 pm. during special exhibits; 511 N. Pike, Bolivar, 65613; 417-326-3438, 417-326-5872.