2025.03.13 THROW BACK THURSDAY - Murry's Dinner Playhouse
THROW BACK THURSDAY - Murry's Dinner Playhouse
In 1967, Ike Murry - the attorney general of Arkansas from 1949 to 1953 and a gubernatorial candidate in 1952—opened the Olde West Dinner Theatre. Tickets were $7, and the theater was decorated in a Western theme. The buffet was mobile and was rolled onto the stage for serving. The establishment later became known as Murry’s Dinner Playhouse. Actors, including well-known performers from television, stage, and screen, once traveled a circuit of dinner theaters. Murry’s hosted some big names over the years, including Marjorie Lord, the actress who played opposite Danny Thomas on The Danny Thomas Show, starring in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park; Margaret Truman, daughter of President Harry S. Truman, starring in the production of Never Too Late in the 1960s; and Veronica Lake, famous for various film, stage, and television roles, starring in Under the Yum Yum Tree. Ten years after its founding, the theater’s name was changed to Murry’s Dinner Playhouse and the Western theme was replaced by a contemporary decor. Current productions feature the talents of local and nationally known artists. A regular performer has been Little Rock native George Newbern, who is best known for his role as Charlie on ABC’s Scandal and as Bryan MacKenzie in the Father of the Bride movie series. And also Candace Hinkle, Billy Glasscock's first wife. In the twenty-first century, Ike Murry’s daughter, Ginger (a Central High Grad), and Ginger’s son, Ike Murry McEntire, continue to run the theater in his tradition. Productions are top-tier Broadway musicals, comedies, and a few dramas—designed to be entertaining for the whole family. Sets and costumes are made in house, and rehearsals are held for two weeks before each show. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday. The buffet dinners have themes to match the current production. Many times a group of our LRCHS '56 Classmates have gone together for a production and always had a great time.
1956 CLASS NEWS
Tommy Thomas
June 4, 1938 — March 11, 2025
Little Rock, Arkansas
The family of Tommy Terral Thomas, is saddened to announce his passing at the age of 86. A longtime resident of Little Rock, Arkansas, Tommy peacefully went to be with the Lord in the early morning of Tuesday March 11th in his home. Born June 4, 1938 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to parents Garland and Edith Williams Thomas. He lived an extraordinary life and was accompanied by his loving wife Kathryn (Bucky) Polk Thomas for the last 33 years. Their passion and zeal for life together was a gift to their friends and family, which brought him great joy all the days of his life. Tommy was known for his trademark quick wit, blunt talk and wearing shorts whenever possible. He appreciated life, was a loving son, loyal friend and he cherished his family. A passionate runner, golfer and snow skier, Tommy enjoyed keeping fit and joining his buddies at Little Rock Athletic Club for coffee, conversation and exercise in “Tommy’s Corner.” A 1956 graduate from Little Rock Central High (which he often referred to as “the best of times”), Tommy then attended Hendrix College and went on to become a member of the Arkansas National Guard. As co-owner of L.E. Offutt Company for 30 years, Tommy won numerous Top Salesman awards and trips. L.E. Offutt was a manufactures representative agency, representing 15 companies in Illinois, Ohio, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Arkansas. Tommy was honored for five straight years as the top national salesman for Chicago-based Davis Molding Company. In 1993, after years of the constant grind of business travel, he sold his share of the company and took two years off from the world of business. In 1995, Tommy began his next successful business venture with Floor Covering, Incorporated. Tommy was always grateful to his friends and his Central Arkansas Executive Association (CAEA) co-members who gave him most of their business. As a member of the Westwood Lodge #353, Tommy achieved the rank of a 32nd Degree Scottish-Rite Mason and fellow member of the Shriners. He sat on the Board of St. James United Methodist Church for a short period and served as president and member of the Forum Sunday School Class. Tommy will be lovingly remembered by many. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Susan East Thomas, who was the mother of their beloved children. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Bucky) Polk Thomas; his children Greg Thomas (Tracy), Paige Cline (Laura Pritchett), Jamye Eades (Ted); his stepchildren; Morse “Cab” Craig (Kelly), Christie Gildehaus (Roger), Polk Craig (Ginger); his grandchildren; Peyton Cline, Thomas and Will Eades, Jennifer Salisbury (James), Brittney Taylor (Daniel), Josh Craig (Belicia), Katie Craig; and his five great-grandchildren, Kathryn Seal (Garrett), Bree Meyers, Sebastian Salisbury, Cami and Colbie Taylor.
A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, March 17th at 10am at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to St James United Methodist Church (321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212) or Arkansas Hospice. The family wishes to extend a very special thanks to Arkansas Hospice for their dedicated care of not only Tommy, but the family as well.
My message from Bucky Tuesday: "The Lord wrapped his arms around Tommy around 1:30am Tuesday, the 11th of March, and took him to be with Him.
Tommy is the 413th Classmate we have lost.
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Carol Griffenhagen - Good News! She is found!!! Carol is "wintering" in the Dominican Republic and is having a wonderful time. Thanks Judy Stout for being sharp enough to think of TEXTING! Isn't it amazing what we can do with that little cell phone/computer we hold in our hands!!!!
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MARCH BIRTHDAYS
8 Bill Hill ANN WAIT, Class of 1955
9 Bill Wagner
12 Catsy Collard
13 Dave Duggan!! IT'S YOUR DAY!!!!
14 Syd Orton
15 Gene Barnett and Jimmy Perry
17 Joel Hicks, Janis McAtee and Marcella Rowland
20 O. J. Fuller
22 Sylvia Campbell
23 Caroline Wilson
26 Jean Kizzia
28 Cecelia Autry and Kay Holloway
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