It was at this same time two years ago that I reported big changes for Towle Theater in Hammond as the stage space prepared to start a third decade of programming memories.
Jeff Casey was one-half of the founding forces of Towle Theater in Hammond for the first two decades, serving as the managing director of the 80-seat stage space with his co-founding partner Kevin Bellamy handling administrative and production duties. The duo announced their retirement to the board in Spring 2024 and celebrated plans to relocate with a move to their beloved Portugal.
The Towle has remained in capable and creative administrative control courtesy of the duo Casey and Bellamy having hired Emily Nelson, formerly the head of Beverly Arts Center south of downtown Chicago, as selected by the Towle Theater board of directors in 2024 for the new position of executive director of Towle Theater.
However, finding the right fit for artistic director duties has proven that Casey and Bellamy are “a hard act to follow” after they completed their duties for the 21st season of stage programming for Towle in 2024.
A couple of interim artistic directors were tested out but not retained, including Christopher Place as associate director, which left Nelson to act as de facto artistic director charged with selecting the four stage titles for the 22nd season of 2025, unannounced in early 2024.
On Aug. 19, 2024, the Towle Theater board of directors announced Dion Stover as the new artistic director, stating: “Prior to being named Towle Theater’s new Artistic Director, Dion Stover was the artistic director of Myers Dinner Theater in Hillsboro, Indiana, where he produced and directed the highest-grossing and some of the most attended shows in Myers’ 27-year history. For the past 30 years, he has had the honor to perform for regional theaters, as well as national tours, in some of the most beautiful and historical theaters. When he wasn’t performing, he taught theater at the University of Arts and Sciences of Oklahoma, conducted theater workshops, and taught English online for Rosetta Stone. Additionally, he worked under several artistic directors to collaborate on many successful productions. Stover is a Chicago native with a BA in Musical Theater Performance from Columbia College. His hope is to build upon Towle Theater’s history of quality, creative and diverse entertainment.”
On June 1, 2026, the Towle Theater board of directors announced that Stover, who began employment at the Towle in September 2024, was departing his position with the following released statement: “On behalf of the Towle Theater, we would like to wish Dion the best of luck on his future endeavors. We thank him for his many contributions to the Towle. As we embark on our next chapter, we are excited about the future and the opportunities ahead, and we hope that you, our patrons, will continue to take that journey with us.”
Because these employee transitions are protected by the umbrella of human resources, the Towle management is not at liberty to discuss details.
However, in late June, the Towle announced the forced cancellation of their planned summer production musical revue, explaining in a posted statement: “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our upcoming production of ‘Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream.’ As many of you know, we are currently navigating a leadership transition following the departure of our artistic director. While we looked at every option to move the production forward, the timing and resources required to mount the show at the level our audiences and artists deserve proved challenging during this transition. We ultimately determined that this was the best decision to ensure the continued success of our organization and upcoming programming. Ticket holders may transfer their tickets to any remaining 2026 production, including “Misery” (Opening Sept. 25) and our holiday production, or to the first production of our 2027 season.”
To be directed by Jim LaPietra and based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Stephen King, “Misery” auditions were held at the end of June, and casting was just announced with Guy Sullivan to play author Paul Sheldon, Tammy White as nurse and “No. 1 fan” Annie Wilkes, and Kyle Cassady as Buster, the town sheriff. Details available at www.towletheater.org.
TV’S FRYING PAN
Industry trade publication “Variety” says it best: “The series ‘Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares’ will return for its third season on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, with a two-hour premiere on FOX. This season focuses on struggling restaurants across the Midwest, tackling issues like staffing crises and health code violations.” Look for Hammond’s own Freddy’s Steakhouse, an anchor of the Hessville neighborhood, to be in the TV camera spotlight (microscope?) for this new season as one of the restaurants to benefit from “Hell’s Kitchen” celebrity chef Ramsay’s advice and guidance for a makeover. The commercial trailers are already out on social media and broadcast TV, showing Chef Ramsay sorting through Freddy’s cooler cases, sorting out what he calls “rotten cabbage,” and, clearly visible, we see Freddy’s owners Jim and Tammy Kamradt grimacing along with “Chef Jose,” dining room manager “Donnie” and perplexed waitresses “Tammy” and “Jen.” Sounds like this show gives new meaning to the term “tips.”
PARADE WINNERS
I was pleased to assist the town of Munster as the grandstand announcer last weekend for the annual Independence Day Parade organized by the Munster Lions Club’s Jorge Benavente. I was joined by my longtime former Post-Tribune colleague Susan Medved for co-announcer duties, and this year’s judging panel consisted of former Purdue Northwest Chancellor Tom Keon, Indiana University Northwest Professor Emeritus Ken Schoon, RE/MAX Realty’s Wendy Roman, musician Mac Adrian and attorney Barbara Shaver. The 2026 Town of Munster Fourth of July Parade float winners are: first place congrats to Beatniks on Conkey; second place to Strack & Van Til; and third place accolades to Laborers’ Local 41. For the auto and vehicle division of the parade, first place was Pop Warner Munster Colts Football/Cheer, second place to the Munster High School Mustangs Marching Band, and third bestowed to NWI Gully Cricket Club.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at [email protected].