Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Picnic: Heaps of Hals

Steven Buehler (MU)

'I don't know if its such a good idea of me goin' on this Picnic.'
Hal Carter

Odyssey Theatre Ensemble

Since the first 1953 production, at the Music Box Theatre, William Inge's Picnic has been repeatedly performed and enjoyed, hundreds and hundreds of times all over the country.  On Broadway, in Film, in local theatres, University and high school productions. 


One of the reasons is of course the writing, and the slice of Americana it presents. Although not really plot driven, it's incredibly rich in atmosphere and mood.  It's also filled with wonderfully drawn characters, characters that actors love sinking their teeth into.  The characters are also very relatable, with audience members usually able to find one they can related to.

Ross Valley Players

I think it's also been popular due to the variety of strong female characters presented.  As many of you know, local theatres and drama schools often have far more women in them then men.  Although the character of Hal Carter may grab the most visual attention, it's the women that surround him, that carry the show.


Searching the net looking for hunky Hal's was a fun, but also time-consuming task.  There were so many hot Hal's, many that didn't fit into the categories that set up.  These images, are rest of the Hals, the actors who ripped off their dirty shirts in community playhouses, on University stages, and local theatre stages.

Chapel Street Player

I deliberately chose not to credit all of the actors and photographers.  I tried,  but so many were uncredited, and I didn't want to credit some, and not others.  I was however, able to credit where each was performed, so if any of these hot Hals spark your interest, you will least know what stage they ripped their shirts off on.

Benjamin T. Rome School

Denver Center

Antaeus Theatre Company

St. Louis ACT INC


 Ephrata Performing Arts Center

Hampton Theatre Company

CSUSB Department of Theatre Arts

Tuscany Theatre Company

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