Fond Memories from a Past Star

Lebanon Daily News, August 2002

Lebanon Community Theatre audiences have their favorite memories.  There are many veterans who would include watching Anita Patton in them.  Appearing at the Lebanon Community Theater (both inside and out) are some of Patton’s fondest memories. 

“It was my father, George Patton, who first suggested I try out for the Lebanon Community Theatre.  I have always loved the theater, and my family would go out and see the shows.  When I was in high school, I played the piano at the high school.  I would play for the chorus, and played for the first few musicals.  When I was a junior, I played Mrs. Pierce in ‘My Fair Lady.’  As a senior, I got to play ‘Mame.’” 

In 1976, Patton auditioned for a role in ‘Plain and Fancy’ at the Lebanon Community Theatre.  She convinced her father and mother to take a part. 

And, she added, “my piano teacher’s son, Barry Heckard, was cast also.  The show was played on the outdoor stage.  The only problem was that we used a Pennsylvania Dutch accent for the show.  I had trouble getting rid of mine.” 

Patton said she enjoyed working at the community theater.  “In high school, you care about everything else.  At the community theater, you are one big family.  Both Mom and Dad were in ‘Plain and Fancy.’  My sister did the lights.  It was a family affair.  Everyone worked on sets and costumes.  You were a part of everything.” 

She continued, “People were there because they wanted to be there.  They were all there for the same thing.  It is a different sort of peer group.  You are together because you want that outlet.  I never found real egos.  There was never anyone who wouldn’t go over your lines or help out in any way.” 

Patton found her outlet and a niche for herself at the Lebanon Community Theatre.  She went on to play Hoddle in “Fiddler on the Roof,” where she worked with Paul Messersmith.  She was Annie in “Annie Get Your Gun.”  She played with Messersmith again in “Man of La Mancha.” 

Meanwhile, Patton had her sights on another role – that of Miss Pennsylvania.  She said getting involved in pageants was a fluke.  “I was a heavy child all of my life,” she said.  “My parents were involved in the local pageants, but when I wnt to them, I never felt involved in the bathing suit part of the process, just the talent part.  I did lose some weight, and Jim Diemler, who was also involved in the pageants, told me that he thought that I could do it.  I figured I had nothing to lose.  I entered the Miss Lebanon Valley Pageant and then went on to win the title of Miss Pennsylvania.” 

She didn’t discount the Lebanon Community Theatre after becoming Miss Pennsylvania.  After she won the title she came back to play Nancy in “Oliver.” 

“I never thought I was ‘too good’ to do anything,” she said.  “I was just playing a role.” 

Did being Miss Pennsylvania open any doors? 

“Yes and no,” she said.  “I went to Elizabethtown College and Syracuse.  I was in the music department.  I did have choices, but I was not confident enough.  I had a fear of rejection.  Now that I look back at it, I understand that I could have done more. 

“I am not rich and famous, but I am doing what I like to do,” she said.  “I am performing.  I am in a band.  I teach music.  I have released two CDs.” 

Patton also has a husband an two little girls, Sarah and Hayley.  She now lives in Annapolis, Md.  That is where she met her husband, Maurie, who is a musician.  “We met in a piano bar,” Patton said.  “He has the voice of an angel.  He is a sales representative for a computer software company.  He also sings at the Radisson and plays in musicals.” 

They often perform as a team.  Patton has been involved in many aspects of theater in the Annapolis area.  Besides performing, she has directed and been involved in marketing and group sales.  She’s even directed a local high school musical. 

Since having her second child, she does not have as much time on her hands, but she said she will always be busy.  “I would love to do ‘Annie’ or ‘Oliver’ with the children one day,” she said. 

Patton still performs in Lebanon.  A few weeks ago, she presented a concert for the Sunday music series at the amphitheater at Coleman Memorial Park.  She performs a wide variety of songs and even sang a song from “Sound of Music” with her daughter, Sarah.  “She’s becoming quite the theater buff,” Patton said. 

“She says, ‘Mommy, I need to sing again because people want to hear me.’ I am a little nervous to call her up, but she is having fun. 

“When I look back at the Lebanon Community Theater, I remember having only good experiences.  I loved my summers.  They made me want to have good experiences.  We were having fun, and the audience was having fun.”

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Email Anita at:  Anita@AnitaSings.com