The best kind of staycation
Originally published on The JOLT News on July 24th, 2025
Feeling antsy, in need of fresh inspiration or something new? I invite you to join me for the best kind of staycation one could get: great performances by our local arts community.
Just like a typical vacation, these too begin with a ticket. This weekend offers two extraordinary performances.
“Our House,” which is presented by Battleground Productions, will allow you to travel through history and time, and Tenino Young-At-Heart Theatre's (TYT) “The Little Mermaid” will take you under the sea.
'Our House'
John Longenbaugh’s “Our House” is lightly inspired by Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” and because of my reverence for the original, I was excited but admittedly hesitant about going to this show. I do not exaggerate when I say this show was superb and made it into my top five favorites for the year.
Here’s why: Creating a show that takes place in, and is performed at the exact same house is bold, innovative and rare. Longenbaugh’s attention to detail both in the “set design” and script are marvelous.
Anyone interested in local history needs to see this show because you get to not only learn something new, but you get to immerse yourself and temporarily “live” in that history.
This play takes place in three acts, each with a different era and part of the house, and there are only four actors each playing multiple characters. All of this and the story is well written, intriguing and realistic.
A play with so many things going on could be chaotic or confusing, but it flows very smoothly and pleasantly thanks to Longenbaugh and his cast (Mathaeus Anderson, Hannah Eklund, Meghan Goodman and Mark Waldstein).
Stepping onto the yard and eventually into the house makes you feel as if you were traveling through time. One of my favorite personal touches was the time machine in the bathroom.
Before the show and during both intermissions, guests get to enjoy free snacks and drinks while mingling with one another and members of the cast who come out in character.
Each show only allows for a small, but intimate audience, and so it feels as if you are all going on a journey together — there is something beautiful and spiritual about this communal experience.
I left with a heart full of hope, whimsy and gratitude. I tip my hat to you John Longenbaugh!
Run, don’t walk to get your ticket! Each show has a purposely limited number of seats, grab yours before “Our House” shuts its doors on Aug. 10.
Tickets can be purchased here.
'The Little Mermaid'
Pack your snorkelers because this production of “The Little Mermaid” promises to have all sorts of sea creatures, merfolk and more! The audience will get to enjoy the classics from the film, along with new songs written for the Broadway version that add depth to the story while keeping it bubbly. This show will have it all: great music, awesome set design and a vibrant cast of 35 members ages 3 to 80s.
Ironically, this will be the third production of ‘The Little Mermaid” that has taken place in Thurston County this year. Why are we so attracted to this show? I think the reason is deeper than love for Disney.
TYT President, Courtney Stanley, describes it best: “The really cool part of this story is that you’ve got two different worlds, and a mermaid who is curious and wants to expand her horizons. I think we can be really polarized in our communities and get stuck in our own little ways, but this story shows that curiosity is a beautiful thing. ... Through Ariel, two worlds merge and a veil is lifted.”
The world of TYT is magical thanks to the many families that have made TYT their tradition. Bob McKenzieSullivan and his family created TYT more than 30 years ago as an age inclusive, backyard theatre.
Over time, the company has expanded and performed at Tenino High School. The company has recently purchased a piece of land and is currently developing plans to create a permanent home for their shows.
Become part of their world — donate to their organization, audition for a show, or sit in their audience. Either way, stay tuned as more information becomes available regarding potential murder mystery dinners and next year’s production of “The Sound of Music.”
"The Little Mermaid” will be swimming in our shores until Aug. 2. Purchase tickets for your chance to see her, and learn more about TYT here.
https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/intheaudience-the-best-kind-of-staycation,25824