Abbey Kanellakis: Bucyrus Little Theatre's 2025-26 Season Reveal
Release Date: 07/09/2025
"Mama Mia!" We're Doing Mama Mia! | No Small Parts
No Small Parts
🎉 "Mama Mia!" We’re Doing Mamma Mia! ABBA Hits, Greek Island Vibes & Community Theater Magic Hit the Bucyrus Little Theatre Stage! Get ready to dance, laugh, and sing along as host Scott Leon Smith sits down with the multi-talented Rick Walker, the director, music director, and choreographer of Bucyrus Little Theatre’s upcoming smash-hit production of Mamma Mia! This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, cast excitement, and all the sunny, feel-good energy of the show everyone loves. Why You’ll Love This Episode ABBA-fueled fun meets small-town heart ...
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Preserving Bucyrus: Inside the Historical Society with Roy and Barb Rigdon 🎤
No Small Parts
🎙️ Bringing Bucyrus History to Life: Prohibition Agents, Parachute Nurses & Cemetery Walks! Did you know Bucyrus was home to the first female federal prohibition agent? Or that local actors are stepping into the shoes of our town's earliest settlers? In this episode, Scott sits down with Roy, the new Curator of the Bucyrus Historical Society, and Barb Rigdon from the Bucyrus Little Theatre, to talk about how they are teaming up to make local history jump right off the page! From Roy’s transition as a retired history teacher to his new role managing the historic Scroggs...
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75 Years of Heart, History, and Hidden Birdbaths: Celebrating Bucyrus Little Theatre's Milestone
No Small Parts
In this special episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith chats with Bucyrus Little Theatre (BLT) board members Patty Schwall (Vice President) and Cheri Laughbaum (Secretary). As Ohio weather flips between cold and warm, the trio dives into the excitement surrounding BLT’s 75th anniversary celebration and the big reveal of its 2026-27 season. The conversation highlights the free event on Sunday, April 12, from 2–5 p.m., featuring a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting, light refreshments, a cash bar (with beer and malted beverages), a video tribute to the theater’s rich...
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March Mayhem: Inside Bucyrus Little Theatre’s Teen Improv Tournament
No Small Parts
What happens when you mix quick thinking, big personalities, and a little competitive chaos? You get March Mayhem. In this episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Smith sits down with Teen Improv Troupe coaches Lalaina and Kevin to talk about the upcoming improv tournament at Bucyrus Little Theatre. With 14 young improvisers ready to take the stage, this year’s show introduces a bracket-style competition inspired by basketball’s March Madness, complete with teams, judges, and eliminations as the night unfolds. Lalaina and Kevin pull back the curtain on how the troupe trains, from...
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Shooting Blanks, Spreading Rumors, & Rehearsing In The Freezer: Cast Spills The Tea On Neil Simon's Rumors
No Small Parts
Join host Scott Leon Smith and the hilarious cast of Bucyrus Little Theatre's Rumors as they dish on Neil Simon's riotous American farce. From frantic cover-ups of a deputy mayor's "accident" to car crashes, back spasms, burnt fingers, and wild excuses involving exploding shaving cream cans, this episode is packed with on-stage antics and off-stage camaraderie. Meet the characters, lawyers, accountants, trophy wives, politicians, and a TV chef, who turn a 10th anniversary party into a whirlwind of lies, gossip, and slapstick. Hear about braving Ohio's brutal winter without heat, the magic of...
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Bucyrus Little Theatre Celebrates 75 Years Of Drama
No Small Parts
Theatre Historian Shares Memories Of The Stage In Time For 75th Anniversary Join host Scott Leon Smith in the cozy lobby of Bucyrus Little Theatre as he sits down with longtime volunteer Tom Etsinger, house manager, master set builder, and keeper of BLT’s rich history. In this heartfelt episode, Tom takes us on a captivating journey from his trumpet-playing debut in the 1976 pit orchestra for Hello, Dolly! to designing elaborate sets with hammers, nails, and pure ingenuity. Hear behind-the-scenes stories of epic builds (like the historically accurate 1776 set that traveled across town),...
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Y’all, The Angels Are Flying Sideways – Christmas Belles Cast Spill The Sweet Tea
No Small Parts
🎄🤠 Y’all, grab your eggnog and buckle up for a Texas-sized Christmas catastrophe! In this hilarious episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith sits down with director (and board president) Abbey Kanellakis and cast members Debbi Gifford, Julie Pollock, and first-time actor Shadow Pollock to talk about Bucyrus Little Theatre’s upcoming riotous holiday comedy, Christmas Belles, sponsored by Firelands Federal Credit Union, Lulu's Kitchen, and The Ohio Flower Girls! Expect behind-the-scenes chaos as we dive into the Futrelle sisters’ attempt to save (or destroy?) the annual...
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Bidding For The Stage: BLT's Second Annual Basket Fundraiser & Christmas Belles
No Small Parts
Host Scott Leon Smith sits down with Bucyrus Little Theatre Board President Abbey Kanellakis to unpack the theater's upgraded fundraiser, now a full online silent auction powered by Castle Auctions and Appraisals. Running December 8–16 (with live promotion during Christmas Belles performances December 12–14), the event features themed baskets, local business donations, gift certificates, swag, and one-of-a-kind items, all matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1,500 by Modern Woodmen of America. Learn how to donate (items, baskets, or cash—deadline November 24), get pickup coordinated via...
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Bat Boy: The Musical At Bucyrus Little Theatre
No Small Parts
Join Us For A Wild Ride at Bucyrus Little Theatre Get ready for a fang-tastic episode of No Small Parts, the podcast that shines a spotlight on the heart and soul of community theatre! This time, host Scott Leon Smith takes us behind the scenes at Bucyrus Little Theatre in Ohio, where rehearsals for the cult classic Bat Boy: The Musical are in full swing. Buckle up, Broadway fans, because this episode is a hilarious, heartfelt dive into a show that’s equal parts Hamilton swagger, Mean Girls sass, and pure, unfiltered weirdness. Well ... kind of ... Scott sits down with a few members of his...
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Cindy Light: Willy Wonka Jr.
No Small Parts
No Small Parts: A Community Theatre Podcast In this delightful episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith sits down with Cindy Light, the seasoned director of Willy Wonka Jr. at Bucyrus Little Theatre. Dive into the whimsical world of this youth production as Cindy shares her process for choosing the show, managing a lively cast of 8- to 18-year-olds, and balancing fun with discipline. From the challenges of directing dual casts to incorporating young talent in tech roles, Cindy reveals how she creates a magical experience for both performers and audiences. Learn about the vibrant energy...
info_outlineJoin host Scott Leon Smith and Bucyrus Little Theatre (BLT) President Abbey Kanellakis for an exciting episode of No Small Parts, recorded from a sweltering dressing room at the historic Bucyrus Little Theatre in Bucyrus, Ohio. In this episode, titled "No Small Parts," the duo unveils the theatre's vibrant 2025-26 season, packed with eclectic performances that promise to captivate audiences.
The season kicks off with Bat Boy: The Musical, directed by Scott himself, a wild fusion of 90s tabloid culture and 1950s monster movie schlock. Expect a half-boy, half-bat creature, 90s dance moves, and a nod to the sensational Weekly World News stories. Next, Abbey makes her directorial debut with Christmas Belles, a hilarious Texas-set Christmas pageant gone awry, complete with leopard print, big hair, and an Elvis impersonator. The season continues with Neil Simon’s Rumors, directed by Jason Chandler, a chaotic comedy about wealthy couples entangled in a web of gossip at a 10th anniversary party. Closing the season is the community-chosen Mamma Mia!, directed by Rick Walker, bringing ABBA’s infectious hits and Greek island charm to the stage.
Beyond the season announcement, Scott and Abbey share insights into BLT’s commitment to community engagement, including their thriving Teen Theatre Club, youth improv troupe, and master acting classes led by Scott. They also highlight the upcoming summer youth production of Willy Wonka Jr., featuring over 50 young performers, and discuss opportunities for sponsorships and memberships to support this beloved 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre.
Tune in for a lively conversation filled with humor, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and a passionate celebration of community theatre. Whether you’re a local or traveling from afar, BLT’s 2025-26 season is not to be missed!