Not even the rain could dampen spirits at the gala opening of the Merry-Go-Round Theatre on Sunday evening thanks to the talents of Frankie, Sparky, Jinx and Smudge.
The quartet of characters from the hit musical "Forever Plaid" entertained a full house for the opening of the newly renovated Emerson Park theater.
The event was a who's who in Central New York, with Mayor Tim Lattimore, Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford, State Sen. Nancy Larraine Hoffman and Cayuga County Legislature Chair Herb Marshall on hand to usher in the new season of the Merry-Go-Round.
Auburn turned out in all manner of finery for the gala event, underwritten by Tompkins Trust Company and sponsored by Balloons Steakhouse and Catering, Dickman Farms, Heron Hill Winery and the Finger Lakes Bottling Company.
There were tuxes and tails, hats and gloves and everything in between. Even Doug Clark, owner of Doug's Fish Fry, showed up in his trademark fisherman's cap. The evening began with a special encore performance of "Forever Plaid," an audience favorite during its 2001 run at the Merry-Go-Round, and was followed by a presentation and reception in Emerson Park Pavilion.
Ed Sayles, producing director of the theatre, christened the new performance space with a ceremonial toss of a rose after being lowered from the theatre rafters to the stage.
Despite a little trip while alighting to the stage, Sayles said the evening went off without a hitch.
"Everything came together perfectly. We knew it was a tight schedule, but we never worried about getting it finished. It's no surprise that everything worked out so well," said Sayles.
The theatre, which is still receiving the finishing touches on its $2 million face-lift, was expanded to hold 501 patrons, up from 365.
The stage and fly gallery where the scenery is stored during a production were also enlarged. The theatre still needs to raise about $500,000 to cover the cost of renovation.
The show featured two returning Merry-Go-Round actors and two new faces who had theatre-goers laughing out loud.
The actors received a gracious standing ovation at the end for their efforts.
Tim Dieterichs, who played Smudge in the evening's performance, made his professional theatrical debut at the Merry-Go-Round opening. He is currently an MFA student at Rutgers University and had to learn the bass role of Smudge in a week.
"It was fun to have my first show in this theatre. The people here are great to work for and the renovations are great. The acoustics are wonderful," he said.
It wasn't just the actors singing the praises of the new space. Many in the audience who were regular patrons of the theatre were stunned by the addition.
"I thought it was great," said Pat Watson, of Auburn, who is a season ticket holder. "I think the theatre is the greatest thing Auburn has to offer. You wouldn't think they'd be able to mount these types of productions here, but they can. It's great."
Many in attendance had seen the show during its first run in 2001 and liked it so much they came back for the encore.
"We saw the show a couple of years ago and I couldn't wait to see it again," said Jessica Bouley, whose husband, Charles, is a board member at Tompkins Trust.
Bouley was the lucky audience member to be pulled up on stage for an interactive rendition of "Heart and Soul" with the cast.
"I thought 'Oh, God, this is the one where they pull people up on stage and I saw one of the cast members looking at me and knew I'd be picked. But I just said I'm going to have fun with this," said the Auburn resident.
After the performance, Jack Hickey, president of the theatre board of directors addressed the crowd at the reception and urged theatre-goers to "spread the gospel of the Merry-Go-Round."
"We are about putting on the highest quality musicals we can while keeping ticket prices low. There is access for everyone now. We want everyone to see the show," he said.
Congressman Boehlert and his wife, Marianne had never been to a production at the Merry-Go-Round, but the evening made believers out of them and they pledged to return during the season.
"This was my introduction to the Merry-Go-Round and it was a truly magnificent show. It's critically important that the Merry-Go-Round exists. It adds to the quality of life here in Auburn," he said.
In addressing the reception, Boehlert added that the theatre is a resource that the city should take pride in.
"This theatre provides entertainment that is national in scope and quality. It has importance far beyond Auburn, Cayuga County and Central New York."
The event was a who's who in Central New York, with Mayor Tim Lattimore, Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford, State Sen. Nancy Larraine Hoffman and Cayuga County Legislature Chair Herb Marshall on hand to usher in the new season of the Merry-Go-Round.
Auburn turned out in all manner of finery for the gala event, underwritten by Tompkins Trust Company and sponsored by Balloons Steakhouse and Catering, Dickman Farms, Heron Hill Winery and the Finger Lakes Bottling Company.
There were tuxes and tails, hats and gloves and everything in between. Even Doug Clark, owner of Doug's Fish Fry, showed up in his trademark fisherman's cap. The evening began with a special encore performance of "Forever Plaid," an audience favorite during its 2001 run at the Merry-Go-Round, and was followed by a presentation and reception in Emerson Park Pavilion.
Ed Sayles, producing director of the theatre, christened the new performance space with a ceremonial toss of a rose after being lowered from the theatre rafters to the stage.
Despite a little trip while alighting to the stage, Sayles said the evening went off without a hitch.
"Everything came together perfectly. We knew it was a tight schedule, but we never worried about getting it finished. It's no surprise that everything worked out so well," said Sayles.
The theatre, which is still receiving the finishing touches on its $2 million face-lift, was expanded to hold 501 patrons, up from 365.
The stage and fly gallery where the scenery is stored during a production were also enlarged. The theatre still needs to raise about $500,000 to cover the cost of renovation.
The show featured two returning Merry-Go-Round actors and two new faces who had theatre-goers laughing out loud.
The actors received a gracious standing ovation at the end for their efforts.
Tim Dieterichs, who played Smudge in the evening's performance, made his professional theatrical debut at the Merry-Go-Round opening. He is currently an MFA student at Rutgers University and had to learn the bass role of Smudge in a week.
"It was fun to have my first show in this theatre. The people here are great to work for and the renovations are great. The acoustics are wonderful," he said.
It wasn't just the actors singing the praises of the new space. Many in the audience who were regular patrons of the theatre were stunned by the addition.
"I thought it was great," said Pat Watson, of Auburn, who is a season ticket holder. "I think the theatre is the greatest thing Auburn has to offer. You wouldn't think they'd be able to mount these types of productions here, but they can. It's great."
Many in attendance had seen the show during its first run in 2001 and liked it so much they came back for the encore.
"We saw the show a couple of years ago and I couldn't wait to see it again," said Jessica Bouley, whose husband, Charles, is a board member at Tompkins Trust.
Bouley was the lucky audience member to be pulled up on stage for an interactive rendition of "Heart and Soul" with the cast.
"I thought 'Oh, God, this is the one where they pull people up on stage and I saw one of the cast members looking at me and knew I'd be picked. But I just said I'm going to have fun with this," said the Auburn resident.
After the performance, Jack Hickey, president of the theatre board of directors addressed the crowd at the reception and urged theatre-goers to "spread the gospel of the Merry-Go-Round."
"We are about putting on the highest quality musicals we can while keeping ticket prices low. There is access for everyone now. We want everyone to see the show," he said.
Congressman Boehlert and his wife, Marianne had never been to a production at the Merry-Go-Round, but the evening made believers out of them and they pledged to return during the season.
"This was my introduction to the Merry-Go-Round and it was a truly magnificent show. It's critically important that the Merry-Go-Round exists. It adds to the quality of life here in Auburn," he said.
In addressing the reception, Boehlert added that the theatre is a resource that the city should take pride in.
"This theatre provides entertainment that is national in scope and quality. It has importance far beyond Auburn, Cayuga County and Central New York."
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