FANNY HILL’S FINAL CURTAIN CALL. Fanny Hill’s current production, I Do, I Do, may unfortunately be one of the dinner theater’s last.

Patrick Thomas O’Brien started the theatrical performances at Fanny Hill as a student more than 30 years ago. Shortly thereafter he handed the torch to Don and Lois Hodgins, who have run them ever since, while he became better known as Mr. Dewey on Saved by the Bell and appeared in films like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. During the past three decades dozens of other actors have gotten their start at Fanny Hill, paving the way for more success stories. Take Laila Robins, who went on to Broadway (succeeding Glenn Close, in one role), TV (The Sopranos), and film (The Good Shepherd) after acting at the dinner theater as a student.

But with the recent news that Fanny Hill’s ownership plans to discontinue its theater operation after this year, talented locals and theatergoers must cope with the loss of this entertainment landmark.

“It’s hard for me to put into words because it has been the better part of my life out there,” said Michael Cook, who started at Fanny Hill with stage duties and has since acted in dozens of its shows. “I’m coming up on 32 years. It’s a huge loss for me and the community. It’s professional-quality theater, and so many people have come through and went on to do big things. … This is a stepping stone we’ll no longer have.”

Since 1978, Fanny Hill has presented about 165 shows and more than 7,000 performances. But in press releases and news stories that broke on July 27, owner Dennis Heyde cited low attendance in recent years and a poor economy as deciding factors in discontinuing the theater.

“Everyone goes through cycles, especially theaters,” Don Hodgins said. “Even the Chanhassen in the Twin Cities is having problems, and that’s one of the biggest in nation, so when they’re having ‘Buy One Get One’ deals, you know there’s trouble.”

Hodgins added that the troubles aren’t exclusive to the theater, which might explain why the entire 14-acre property overlooking the Chippewa River has been for sale for some time.

“It goes beyond the business end of things. You can look at this as a plea for help,” Hodgins added. “When people boast about town, one of the first things is this dinner theater. We’re known around the state. We’re part of the fabric of the community. We’re a really close-knit group and it’s very difficult, some have said it fells like there was a death in the family.”

The members of the “family” include regional actors that often come from right here in the Chippewa Valley. There’s a surprising amount of professional-quality talent coming from here, Hodgins said, and the types that can reasonably make a living doing theater are drawn to Fanny Hill because it’s the only paying gig in town.

    “A lot of these people have day jobs, most actors do. But some people will leave,” he added. “They’ll have to because there’s no place around here that pays.”

There’s no question that there still exists quality theater in town (with CVTG, ECCT, UWEC, and the State), but dinner theaters are a rare breed. “And even within dinner theaters we’re rare, because a lot do the big-gun musicals,” Hodgins said. “We’re not going to be doing Hamlet. We gotta stick with comedies and small musicals.”

The Leader-Telegram reported the owner is planning to finish out this year’s lineup of shows before removing the theater entirely to make room for more restaurant space.

But those involved in the theater are hoping for a miraculous peak in attendance that could keep the production space alive. “If people haven’t made it down and have said they’ve wanted to, now’s the time,” Hodgins said.

Currently the theater is showing I Do, I Do, and will present the play A Family Gathering from Sept. 11 to Nov. 1, before finishing with Rudy’s Holidaze Reunion Nov.6 through Jan. 24.

“They’ve announced it this far out. Maybe, just maybe, the door isn’t slammed shut, and there’s a crack open for it still to be saved,” Cook added.