In 2004, its second year, Stone Fence Theatre produced three original new shows that focused on the cultural heritage and history of the Ottawa Valley. The season included eight touring performances in a variety of community halls, 20 summer performances in two venues and four fall performances.
Reflections of a Century-The Musical, by Ish Theilheimer and Barry Goldie. This was a particularly ambitious work based on a 100-year compilation of news articles from the local newspaper, The Eganville Leader. The show played to standing ovations despite a rushed development and rehearsal schedule and a venue that created many problems for performance.
MORE Valley Tales from the Summer Kitchen. This variety show, developed by Ish Theilheimer and directed by Barry Goldie (see photo above), included ON THE AIR with Mac’s Melodiers and a prelude act made up of text and songs from various sources.
In addition, in summer 2004, Stone Fence launched an ambitious program intended to elevate the profile of the area’s roots music for summer visitors. “Fiddlin’ Around at Noon” was a Stone Fence summer 2004 series of 30 lunch-hour concerts produced by Ish Theilheimer and upwards of 60 local musicians, dancers and story-tellers at five different tourist destinations: The Bonnechere Museum, The Wilno Station Inn, The Balmoral Hotel, The Golden Sands Resort and The Bonnechere Caves.
Throughout the fall of 2004 Stone Fence ran a series of theatre arts workshops for the public led by theatre professionals such as Bruce Laird, a professional playwright, composer, director and musical director with a 50-year record of achievement.