View source for The Broken Statue Press Release 2015

The Ponca Playhouse announces that tickets are now on sale for an exclusive run of eight shows of “The Broken Statue,” a play by Bob Perry based on the real-life story of oil baron E.W. Marland and the tragic story of his adopted daughter and later wife, Lydie Marland. This is the thrid year that Ponca Playhouse has presented the play. Only 800 seats are available for the 2015 presentation and tickets are available by calling The Ponca Playhouse. The Playhouse previously presented the play in 2012 and 2014. "We are presenting the play for a thrid time in Ponca City due to public demand," said Hugh Pickens, co-producer of the play.

The performances will be July 23, 24, 26, 26, 30, 31 and Aug. 1 and 2.

A limestone statue of Lydie as a striking young woman was buried and lost for nearly 40 years — a broken statue representing shattered lives and shattered dreams.

“Although partially fiction, ‘The Broken Statue’ helps provide the public with an insight that feeds their curiosity of the life and times of E.W., Virginia, George and Lydie Marland and their contemporaries. The play gives a glimpse of the extravagant glory days of the 1910s and 1920s as they existed in Oklahoma,” said David Keathly, executive director of the Marland Mansion.

“It is heartwarming, insightful and clever,” said Jayne Detten, director of Ponca City Main Street. “Most of all, it is a delight to the senses and a respectful tribute to the Marland family.”

Playwright Bob Perry’s interest in the Marland story started in 1999 when he stayed a week at the Marland Mansion during a conference. He took a tour of the mansion and saw Lydie’s refurbished broken statue.

He called his wife and said “I know the title of the book I want to write — The Broken Statue.” He finally started writing the first manuscript in 2006.

The play adaptation of the book was first produced at the Jewel Box Theatre in Oklahoma City ub 2011. Several Ponca City residents traveled to see the production, and a group formed to produce the production at the Ponca Playhouse in 2012 and 2013. The play has also been produced by "Town and Gown" in Stillwater and by the "Boomtown Theatre" in Drumright.

Tickets for this limited run will be $20 and may be purchased at the Playhouse, 301 South First Street, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Tickets can be ordered by phone at 580-765-5360. Evening performances on Fridays and Saturdays will be at 730  p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Current signature sponsorships, those giving $2,000, include Hugh Pickens and Dr. Pickens, Deloris Pickens, Carl Renfro, Phillips 66, the Fred Boettcher Law Group and the Eastman National Bank for $1,000.

The play is being directed by Larry King and is an all new production with many new actors. "Even if you have seen the play before at Ponca Playhouse, you will want to see this new production," says Pickens.