Characters from the “Spud Shufflers Retirement Home” will return to the stage with their third comic caper to sustain a longtime Aroostook event.
Spearheaded by the Washburn Rotary Club, the original one-act play “Has the Last Egg Fried?” headlines a dinner theater that will benefit the town’s August Festival.
One of Aroostook’s longest-running summer events — aside from the nearly 80-year-old Maine Potato Blossom Festival — Washburn’s event was short on money and support when Rotarians took it over several years ago. They knew they needed to raise money, and two years ago they stumbled upon an idea that has garnered enough to keep the festival going: community theater coupled with dinner by a local chef.
The idea was to create an event that embodies the spirit of the festival that has been held for 46 years: community and nostalgia.
“The whole deal is trying to build community,” Rotary President Keith Brown said. “We’re raising money for the festival, but we’re also getting people out in the spring to see each other and have a meal and a laugh.”
Four years ago, the festival was running out of money, he said. Rotary kicked in some special project funds, but that wasn’t sustainable because it took money away from other local priorities. The group had done dinner theaters years ago, so they decided to revive the idea in 2024 with “Almost Murder,” a royalty-free one-act play that allowed them to add local flair.
A cast of characters who live at the Spud Shufflers Retirement Home (aptly named in this Aroostook County farming community) debuted in that performance, under the direction of Londa Brown, former play director at Washburn District High School.
Londa Brown and Keith’s wife, Sue Brown, wrote the play and will co-direct this year’s performance. It’s their second turn as playwrights, having written last year’s “The Great Fiddlehead Caper,” in which pink fiddleheads were found along the Aroostook River’s banks — which were later found to have been colored by ink.
“Last year, everyone was introduced to the ‘Washburn Diner,’” Sue Brown said. “This year, the diner is in danger of closing, due to a leaky roof and skyrocketing costs. The premise is they have to raise enough money to save the diner.”
So the gang at the retirement home decides to hold a talent show. There will be some talent and some “talent,” Sue Brown said, making finger quotes in the air.
The play opens with Clyde Snaredrum walking onstage with a crutch, head bandage, eye patch and his arm in a sling as a result of an encounter with his estranged wife. George and Sybil, played by Keith and Sue Brown, will return, along with Sheriff Grant, diner owner Audrey and friends Zeke, Mel, Missy and Brandy.
The cast includes Rotarians, community members, teachers, the town’s Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops and even local officials popping in for some cameo appearances, Sue Brown said.
Rotary members will also help out backstage with props, lighting and more. Brad and Amber Kinney will handle the sound.
Since the play’s talent show takes place at Washburn District High School, dinner theater guests will become the audience at the talent show, and some audience engagement is planned, she said.
Washburn resident Rob Ottaviano, a chef and owner of the seasonal Parkhurst Siding Pub in Presque Isle, will prepare a chicken teriyaki dinner. Town high school students will serve.
After dinner, resident Randy Lee will conduct a dessert auction, and then the curtain will rise on “Has the Last Egg Fried?”
The two previous performances have garnered about $4,000 each in proceeds, which go directly to the treasurer of the Washburn August Festival, Keith Brown said.
It’s become a real community event, with people donating props, expertise and desserts for the auction, he said.
The play is slated at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Washburn District High School. Tickets are $25 for the dinner and play, or $10 for the play alone. For children under 12, tickets are $10 for the evening. Contact any Rotarian or the town office for information.
“People are very generous for the dessert auction. It really is all about community,” Sue Brown said. “And if they don’t have a laugh, it won’t be for our lack of trying.”
