In just 12 short, or rather long and exhausting days, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse again managed to put together its season opener with little difficulty.
Bonnie Boglione and Mary Lou DeChick arrive early for their second row seats for the opening of "Brigadoon" at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Wednesday evening. Both women have had season tickets for the past 15 years. Jason Rearick / The Citizen
Performing to a packed house at Wednesday night's opening show, the cast of the old standard "Brigadoon," proved why the little theater calls itself "Broadway in the Finger Lakes."
And this year's cast is probably more Broadway-bound than those in the past, as most of the actors hail from New York City.
There were a few changes to the theater this year, the playhouse's second season in its renovated space.
The new bathrooms were a hit with patrons, especially those like season ticket holders Clare Ramsden and Cindy Bellows, from Syracuse and Skaneateles, respectively.
The two women have been coming to the theater for at least five years and were pleased to see that the new facilities were finally in place. Producing director Ed Sayles credited Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, with securing the $100,000 state aid used for the toilets.
"We're here to critique the new bathrooms," Bellows joked while she waited in line for a stall.
Sayles also acknowledged Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford, for coming through with a $74,400 grant for a new sound system.
Also new to the theater this year is a concession stand selling various snacks and beverages, including special label bottles of water with the Merry-Go-Round logo emblazoned across it.
Missing at this year's opening night was the wine and canape reception after the show. With the theater producing a fifth show this season, they decided to cut back on extraneous expenses while they try the new season format.
George Kerstetter, a longtime patron of the Merry-Go-Round was pleased about the addition of a fifth show to the theater's lineup.
"I'd like to have five every year. But year-round shows would be even better," he said.
He and his wife, Jean, had been looking forward to seeing "Brigadoon." It is the only show in the 2005 season they had already seen. He remembered the first time he saw it in a high school production and said it was fabulous.
Barbara Collins and Dick Hunter, both of Auburn, have been season ticket-holders for at least 10 years. Though Collins said "Brigadoon" wasn't her favorite show of the 2005 season, she was still keen to see it.
"It's my least favorite, but I know they'll do a good job with it," said Collins, who often goes to see musicals in New York City and Toronto.
Sayles couldn't have been happier about how the season seemed to be shaping up. Though there were a few technical snags in the show with costumes and microphones, the performance went off with nary a hitch.
"I'm very pleased. It's not quite like any other show. The ballet is very difficult and they have to sing on top of that," he said.
Though actors had hardly gotten acclimated to living in Auburn before taking the stage, Sayles said it's no different than any other year.
The hallmark of the theater is putting together quality shows in very little time.
"For me the show succeeds when the director is able to communicate the story and the feeling to the audience," he said. "We do this a lot. You're always worried that it might not come off, but we've got a great crew and it will happen."
And this year's cast is probably more Broadway-bound than those in the past, as most of the actors hail from New York City.
There were a few changes to the theater this year, the playhouse's second season in its renovated space.
The new bathrooms were a hit with patrons, especially those like season ticket holders Clare Ramsden and Cindy Bellows, from Syracuse and Skaneateles, respectively.
The two women have been coming to the theater for at least five years and were pleased to see that the new facilities were finally in place. Producing director Ed Sayles credited Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, with securing the $100,000 state aid used for the toilets.
"We're here to critique the new bathrooms," Bellows joked while she waited in line for a stall.
Sayles also acknowledged Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford, for coming through with a $74,400 grant for a new sound system.
Also new to the theater this year is a concession stand selling various snacks and beverages, including special label bottles of water with the Merry-Go-Round logo emblazoned across it.
Missing at this year's opening night was the wine and canape reception after the show. With the theater producing a fifth show this season, they decided to cut back on extraneous expenses while they try the new season format.
George Kerstetter, a longtime patron of the Merry-Go-Round was pleased about the addition of a fifth show to the theater's lineup.
"I'd like to have five every year. But year-round shows would be even better," he said.
He and his wife, Jean, had been looking forward to seeing "Brigadoon." It is the only show in the 2005 season they had already seen. He remembered the first time he saw it in a high school production and said it was fabulous.
Barbara Collins and Dick Hunter, both of Auburn, have been season ticket-holders for at least 10 years. Though Collins said "Brigadoon" wasn't her favorite show of the 2005 season, she was still keen to see it.
"It's my least favorite, but I know they'll do a good job with it," said Collins, who often goes to see musicals in New York City and Toronto.
Sayles couldn't have been happier about how the season seemed to be shaping up. Though there were a few technical snags in the show with costumes and microphones, the performance went off with nary a hitch.
"I'm very pleased. It's not quite like any other show. The ballet is very difficult and they have to sing on top of that," he said.
Though actors had hardly gotten acclimated to living in Auburn before taking the stage, Sayles said it's no different than any other year.
The hallmark of the theater is putting together quality shows in very little time.
"For me the show succeeds when the director is able to communicate the story and the feeling to the audience," he said. "We do this a lot. You're always worried that it might not come off, but we've got a great crew and it will happen."
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