The jeep had been painted bright blue with an eye-catching sign on the hood. Kenabeek Summer Theater, it proclaimed in large white letters.
“Good advertising,” Michael confided as they deposited Peggy’s bags in the rear. “But then, you’re not bad advertising either!” He nodded in the direction of a few bystanders who were casting curious glances at Peggy. Peggy smiled back at the townspeople, and as she climbed into the front seat, her nervousness unexpectedly dropped away. She was really here at last, she realized, an actress with a season’s contract—and suddenly she felt very professional.
As they drove carefully up the winding mountain road, Peggy discovered that Michael was one of three local boys who were to work as apprentices—helping the scene designer, doing odd chores, and playing small parts when needed. Michael’s father was Howard Miller, a retired theater man, who was to do all the older character parts during the season.
“Oh, I’ve heard of him!” Peggy exclaimed. “He’s supposed to be a wonderful actor, and we’re lucky to have him. You know how hard it is to get good character men for stock. Michael,” she went on eagerly, “do you think the theater will be a success?”
Michael considered a moment. “I don’t honestly know,” he replied thoughtfully. “This is a very small town, and actually we don’t have a large enough population to carry a summer theater all on our own. But one of the ideas behind this venture is to bring in more summer resort business.”
Peggy nodded. She knew that Richard Wallace, one of the two young producers, was a resident of Lake Kenabeek, and wanted to help improve his town—both culturally and financially.
“Of course Richard’s Aunt Hetty is vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce,” Michael continued, “and the Chamber of Commerce put up half the financial backing for the theater. So we do have solid support there. But some people here resisted the idea of a group of actors—you know, they think that actors are a strange, Bohemian breed—” He glanced at Peggy and laughed. “Bohemian, huh! All they need is to take one look at you, or any of the other actors who have come up from New York.”
Peggy smiled gratefully. She knew that a lot of people didn’t realize what honest, hard work the theater could be. But obviously this intelligent young boy had a deep feeling for the profession and knew that an actress’ life wasn’t only curtain calls and bouquets after the performance.
“Yes, we do have a lovely group of people,” Peggy agreed earnestly. She had met most of them in New York during the tryouts and been impressed, not only by their acting ability, but by their responsible and intelligent attitude. “And we have a really good director, wonderful plays, and at least half the town is behind us. That should be enough if we work hard!” she concluded with a twinkle.
Michael turned from the twisting, ribbonlike shore line and drew up in front of a large, old-fashioned, rustic building. “Here we are,” he announced grandly, “Kenabeek Inn! But you’re not in the main building; your company is staying in the annex.”