In addition to operating the puppets at Rip's Retreat these young ladies worked at concessions and were guides at the tourist attraction. Local young boys were also employed acting as Gnomes and playing at 9-pins.
We've found the original soundtrack. Linda Nicholls of Greene Room Players is preparing the cast and Chris Cade is supervising the puppet construction. The Catskill Community's skilled carpenters have completed the theater and painting and sets will be ready for the first performance of the memorable show at our open house. There will be several performances throughout the day between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Production has been made possible in part through the help of the Greene County Council on the Arts and Stewart's Shops.
The original theater at North Lake's privately operated Rip's Retreat. From a photo donated by Society member Beth Hague.
Rip inspects the great work done by the Catskill Community of Platte Clove.
Carpenters from the Community constructed the Dutch-style puppet theater based on photos of the theater used at Rip's Retreat in the 1950s. All that awaits the August 25th production is final painting and a cast of puppets who will retell the legend of Rip Van Winkle.
Young ladies from the Platte Clove Community and other friends of the Historical Society work together to brighten the puppet theater for the premier performance at our 2007 Open House.
In a pose reminiscent of the 1950s postcard that inspired the building, smiling faces look out from the proscenium, while some of us old enough to remember the Rip's Retreat days pose in front of the new theater.