EXPERIENCE
Mickey Rooney
Steel Magnolias
Jo Schneider and Carolyn Thomas, who purchased
the theatre in 1985. The pair worked tirelessly to
build the theatre into the success it enjoys today.
Thomas retired about a decade ago, and Schneider
died in 2018 after a long battle with cancer. The
theatre is currently run by Buckholz, and Cynthia
(Cindy) Knopp, general manager and co-owner.
Knopp is also Thomas’ daughter.
“I’ve been here since I was 13 and I’m nearly
60 now,” Knopp said. “I followed in her footsteps
through high school and after, then later came back
when my mom was ready to retire. You can always
find ways to do things more efficiently, but the
basic principle works here, and we are good at it.”
Knopp is not sure what the magic potion is, but
points to the family atmosphere among employees
and even customers. “We genuinely care for our
customers, our employees, and our community.
One of the things my mom taught me was you
always should learn as much as you can in every
opportunity you’re given, and I try to do that. That’s
what brings me joy.”
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
The 45th anniversary season kicks off in May with
the southern comedy of manners, “The Savannah
Sipping Society,” and includes special performances
of “Shrek The Musical” in July, “Million Dollar
Quartet” in August and a Christmas treat of “Elf
the Musical” in November and December. Derby
Dinner’s traditional mystery slot includes a new
take on the classic “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes
28 EXTOL : APRIL/MAY 2019
Mystery” in October, and the hit Broadway comedy
“Boeing, Boeing” will tickle audiences in January
2020. Buckholz is thrilled to round out the beginning
of 2020 with “Saturday Night Fever” in February,
and the well-loved “Anything Goes” to end the
season in April 2020.
“We’ve wanted to do ‘Saturday Night Fever’
for years,” said Buckholz. “It is already selling like
crazy, and sales for ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ are off
the charts as well. Our 45th anniversary season is
so exciting. There isn’t one show in it that’s ‘the’
show to see. They are all such blockbusters in
their own way.”
The season will also include shows in the
popular children’s theatre, summer classes and
the Performing Arts Academy. Tina Jo Wallace,
another long-time actor, singer and now Children’s
Theatre director, sees the results of decades of
community support.
“These are often the children of our subscribers,
who were themselves the children of our original
subscribers. These kids have grown up around us
and who knows what it could spark in their lives,”
said Wallace. “We’ve had many children come
back later as actors or staff, and we’re grooming
the next generation of patrons and performers.”
“We show them what theatre is,” added Wallace.
“So, if we show them non-professional schlock, then
we’re failing them. If we show them great, focused,
exciting work, they realize that and appreciate it.
We might be a child’s first exposure to theatre, and
that’s a great responsibility.”
Buckholz knows Derby Dinner Playhouse is
one of many competitive players in the talented
Louisville and Southern Indiana arts scene. “It’s not
so much about being super competitive, because.
we’ve all sorta found our niche and we fill that
well,” he said. “The amount of theatre options we
have for people in a city of this size is amazing.
But, there are things that set us apart from the
Louisville arts scene. Of course, we are proud
to be in Southern Indiana. We have free parking.
We feed you. We entertain you. Our price point
is so remarkable and a great value. Derby Dinner
Playhouse offers a complete experience and is a
full evening for less than you’d pay just to see a
show in downtown Louisville.”
“I’d put the quality of our actors, professional staff
and shows up against anyone,” he added. “We’ve
reached the point now that the quality you see at
Derby Dinner Playhouse is the same as the quality
at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, Actors Theatre,
Pandora or anywhere in the area.”
The anniversary season will be bittersweet,
following the recent passing of Bekki Jo Schneider.
“One of the things she said to me before she died
was, ‘I want you to take this theatre and move it
forward,’” said Buckholz. “I took that to heart. While
the 45th anniversary will be a love letter to Bekki’s
life, it’s also Derby Dinner’s new steps forward.
It will be easy to celebrate her instead of being
melancholy. She would want a good show. We’re
not looking to change the world, we’re looking to
entertain. And, that’s what we are going to do.”