Discover the Magic of Unwritten Destinies: Great Plains Theatre's 31st Season

The Great Plains Theatre in Abilene, Kansas, proudly unveils its 31st season, Unwritten Destinies—a lineup of extraordinary shows that explore the power of choice, the wonder of the unknown, and life’s pivotal moments. With each production, audiences will be swept into worlds where the future hangs in the balance, shaped by unexpected twists and turns. Whether you’re a fan of heartwarming musicals, classic comedies, or thought-provoking dramas, this season promises unforgettable experiences for all.

The Lineup

Mark your calendars for an incredible season featuring a dynamic mix of musicals, beloved tales, and reimagined classics:

• Disney's Descendants - The Musical (January 31 - February 9): Dive into the enchanting world of Disney’s next generation of villains and heroes.
• Go, Dog. Go! (February 24 - March 8): A delightful adventure for the whole family, celebrating fun and friendship.
• Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling (May 2 - 11): Laugh, cry, and connect with the heartwarming story of Southern women and their unbreakable bonds.
• All Shook Up (May 30 - June 8): Feel the rhythm of Elvis Presley’s music in this jukebox musical filled with love and laughter.
• Big Fish (June 20 - 29): A magical tale of imagination, adventure, and the larger-than-life stories that define us.
• Tuck Everlasting The Musical (July 18 - 27): Explore the timeless question of what it means to truly live.
• Much Ado About Nothing (September 29 - October 4): Shakespeare’s beloved comedy of wit, romance, and mistaken identities.
• Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn The Musical (December 5 - 14): End the year with a heartwarming classic filled with show-stopping tunes and holiday cheer.

"Recycle Dorothy" Boot Unveiled

Check out Abilene's newest boot: Recycle Dorothy! The boot is on display at the Abilene Recycling Center.

On Friday, the Abilene Recycling Center hosted an open house to unveil this creative addition to the community—a celebration of art and sustainability! Recycle Dorothy is the latest boot to be placed around Abilene.

Heather Barclay is talented artist who brought this stunning design to life. Be sure to stop by and admire her work!

Address: 1210 NW 8th Street, Abilene

Old Fashioned Christmas

Come enjoy an old fashioned Christmas in our lighted village with a live nativity in the barn, rides on the 1901 wooden carousel, a prairie Christmas in the authentic log cabin, live Christmas music, a craft for kids in the one-room schoolhouse, German foods in the historic Burkland Grocery Store and much more!

Seelye in Lights

*New This Year*

Christmas at the Seelye Mansion has always been a magical experience! The holiday traditions at this historic mansion date back to December 25, 1905, when the first Christmas dinner was served in the dining room to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of Alfred Seelye’s parents, Mason and Ellen Seelye. The following year, on December 26, 1906, the mansion hosted a grand Christmas Ball with over 300 guests from across the country marveling at an 11,000-square-foot Winter Wonderland. The highlight was the unveiling of a rare Christmas flower, the poinsettia, shipped by rail from California—its first appearance in Kansas.

Today, Christmas at the Seelye Mansion is more enchanting than ever. Over 65 beautifully decorated Christmas trees fill the home, and nearly one hundred live poinsettias adorn each of the mansion’s twenty-five rooms. Adding to the charm, an impressive collection of hundreds of nutcrackers is also on display.

This December, Mr. Terry Tietjens, the Seelye Mansion Board of Directors, and their dedicated volunteers invite you to experience the mansion’s holiday splendor firsthand. “Seelye in Lights” will be open for three special evenings on December 7, 14, and 21 from 5-7 p.m. Guests can enjoy light refreshments, live music, and a tour of the mansion dressed in holiday glory. Tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for children 16 and under.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to step back in time and experience Christmas as it was meant to be celebrated—warm, bright, and beautiful at the Seelye Mansion.

2025 American Flag Sponsors

Visitors to Abilene frequently comment on the beautiful American flags lining Buckeye Avenue and NW 3rd Street. The American flags are one of the many wonderful attributes that make our community stand out.

To continue this tradition, the City of Abilene’s Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking sponsors for the American flags, which are placed on poles from I-70 along Buckeye Avenue to the south city limits and from Buckeye west on NW 3rd Street. The flags are flown from the Eisenhower Marathon weekend in April through Veterans Day. Because they are displayed for seven months, the flags and poles are more prone to wear and tear. The City of Abilene’s Public Works Department replaces them as needed.

Our goal is to purchase 200 flags for the 2025 season. The cost of each flag remains the same at $25, which includes the cost of the pole.

While the City of Abilene’s Public Works Department, Vyve Broadband and Linder Electric install the flags on the light poles, we rely on the community to provide funding for this project.

We hope you will consider purchasing one or more flags this year. Please complete the enclosed form and return it to Julie Roller Weeks at the Abilene CVB by January 24, 2025.

Thank you in advance for your continued support!

2025 American Flag Sponsors:

1. Scott Litke
2. Brad Dunlap
3. Marlene and Bill Howe
4. KJIL Radio
5. Wildcat Services, Inc. Krinhop
6. Matt and Jen Helmer
7. Curtis & Sandy Rein
8. Annette Wilson
9. Rackets Tap House
10. Shelly Crane
11. Larry & Tina Rankin
12. Rawhide Portable Corral
13. Gary & Bunny McCloud
14. Craig Richardson
15. Abilene Termite & Pest Control
16. Tim & Sharon Burt
17. Great Plains Federal Credit Union
18. Holm Automotive Center
19. West's Plaza Country Mart
20. John and Judy Anguiano
21. Robson Oil Co. Inc./Corner Stop Cenex, Liberty Cenex Tony & Sarah Geiger
22. Jeremy Stuck
23. Carol & Moe Spitcaufsky
24. Bill & Nanc Scholl
25. Casey & Jane Foltz
26. Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home
27. Danner Funeral Home
28. Vine Creek Accounting
29. Bert and Wetta Abilene
30. Harlan & Peggy Janke
31. Duri Ridge Free State Armory LLC
32. Marlin & Melinda Fitzwater
33. Chuck & Ann Brussow
34. Rick & Marcia Williamson
35. Greyhound Hall of Fame
36. Eisenhower Foundation
37. Cathy Strowig
38. Lumber House Inc.
39. Bielefeld Insurance
40. Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Post 1969
41. Gary Sweatland
42. Lynn Peterson Monuments & Design, Inc.
43. Theresa Brierton
44. Les & Michele Snowball
45. The Wendell & Nancy Gugler Charitable Giving Fund

*As of 11/20/2024