The Firehouse Memoir

The Firehouse Memoir takes you from Dick Mueller's early days singing in nightclubs and community theatres, to the formation of the Firehouse Dinner Theatre in the Old Market area of Omaha, Nebraska. This for-profit theatre thrived in Omaha in the 70s and into the early 90s, with shows that brought droves of theatre-goers in to laugh, cry and be entertained. The Firehouse Memoir not only highlights the successes of the theatre, but also delves into the challenges that came with running such a business. Additionally, the book profiles each show, providing details on casts, reviews, and photos. The Firehouse was renowned for its World Premieres, national theatre celebrities, and other special events.

Are the Arts Worth Saving?
You bet! Yet, they always seem to be living on the brink of disaster. How to change this sad state of affairs is something I have thought about for many years. And in the course of writing this little memoir about a small theatre in a mid-size Midwestern city, I stumbled onto a concept that I think might not just save the Arts but help them flourish as well. I offer the resulting idea herein as food for thought for those who love the Arts, whether as a participant, a patron, or audience member.
>Here are a few thoughts from Broadway greats and other legends:
June 17, 1988
Dear Mr. Mueller:
How I wish half the people who insist they are writers wrote half as well. I have sent your good essay along to our editors, and shall hope that if they find space for a story on the subject you'll be willing to annoy lots of people by being available for quotation.
Yours cordially,
Wm. F. Buckley Jr.
>March 28, 1986
To the Good People of Omaha:
My friend Dick Mueller has spent the past fifteen years producing quality professional theatre in your City-his city. I have been personally involved in a number of projects at his Firehouse Theatre and I find it a splendid theatre. I am very interested in anything Dick chooses to do.
>February 10, 1986
Dear Dick Mueller:
Thanks for your comments. They're on the mark and encouraging.
Occasionally (!) I get tired of hearing myself. However, these things must be said and there's so much reluctance to hearing them, I suppose you have to be a nag. It's a terrible irony to acknowledge that while one wants to minimize the present inflated importance of media, it's precisely media that could affect a change-shame the "haves" into worrying about the future.
>April 27, 1986
Dear Dick,
I am not surprised that you have made the decision to take the Firehouse Theatre non-profit. Professional theatres in the country have fallen on hard times; less and less is it possible for them to survive without civic support. You have run a valuable operation not only in standard repertoire, but more importantly you have ventured into the uncommon and the new.
Dale Wasserman