‘Trumpet in the Land:’ The show must go on
The set at “Trumpet in the Land” helps take guests back in time to tell the story.
Last season no one expected a major cast change would be made for the 2025 season of the “Trumpet in the Land” outdoor drama. The death of Joe Bonamico, who died after a short illness in September 2024, has left a huge void. The show is in its 56th year.
Bonamico was with Trumpet for 42 years, and for 37 of those, he played Simon Girty. Bonamico also served as director. Beyond Trumpet he had an extensive acting career that included film, television, theater and more.
His sister Margaret Bonamico, general manager at Trumpet, knows her brother would want the play to continue.
“It’ll be different. It’ll be sad, but there’ll be a happiness that Joe would want us to keep going, and so whenever we feel a little sad, we just think of him and do it for him,” Margaret Bonamico said.
Joe Bonamico also co-authored, along with Mark Durbin, the play “The White Savage” about Girty’s life. Girty was a complex and controversial figure during the Revolutionary War.
Joe Bonamico was the first one in his family to join the production.
“When Joe became involved, he was hired by Rachel Redinger as a custodial person. That’s way back,” Margaret Bonamico said.
Joe Bonamico was attending Kent State University at the time, but he really wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.
“The director at the time asked him if he would do a small role, and it was then that he got bitten by the acting bug,” Margaret Bonamico said.
The director also was a professor at Wright State University.
“He talked to Joe, and Joe went back to school into the professional acting program at Wright State,” Margaret Bonamico said.
Margaret Bonamico later joined the production and has been there more than 50 years. Margaret’s sister Roseann Bonamico and the siblings’ late mother Mary Jo Brown then began helping with the production too.
“My mom and Roseann decided if they ever wanted to see me and Joey during the summer that they were going to have to work here because we were never at home, so they just started volunteering here,” Margaret Bonamico said.
Roseann Bonamico serves as house manager.
In addition to the dedication of the season to Joe Bonamico on opening night, they also will honor him with a dramatic reading of “The White Savage” on three different nights during the season and on one night with a showing of a video of “The White Savage” production starring Joe Bonamico as Simon Girty.
Chester Boffo, who played the part of Ben Campbell last season, will now play the role of Simon Girty.
“He was also in some of our other productions. He was in ‘Dracula’ and ‘Assassins,’ and Joe really thought a lot of Chester. He thought he was a good actor, and so it was just a natural fit, kind of Joe saying Chester can do it, and he can. He’s a very good actor,” Margaret Bonamico said.
The production is now being directed by Judith Pender, who was involved with the production in the late 1970s and served as director in the mid to late 1990s. Bart Herman, after formerly serving as choreographer, is now the music director. Molly Weidig is serving as the choreographer.
The Trumpet cast will show their skills in other ways.
“We’re doing ‘Cinderella,’ and then we’re doing on three mornings a Cinderella Enchanted Breakfast,” Margaret Bonamico said. “We’ll have breakfast for anybody, children or adults, and then the characters will be here, interacting with those at the breakfast. We’ll have some storytelling and other activities.”
The cast will perform a one-night-only music review called “Broadway Bound.”
The story of “Trumpet in the Land” is still relevant today, and it’s a labor of love for those involved in its production.
Visitors might not notice, but Trumpet supporters and contractors have been busy completing updates around at the amphitheater. They have redone part of the large mountain; completed some painting; the box car on top of the tunnel, which was damaged by wind, is being repaired; and a new wall is being added backstage.
To get involved in helping to tell this story, volunteers are needed throughout the season to help with parking and in the concession stand.
Tickets are available by calling the box office at 330-339-1132 or at the door. Visit www.trumpetintheland.com for the complete season schedule.