Detweiler: Community support remains key to Marion's Palace Theatre
When I took over the reins of the Palace a year ago, it seemed COVID was coming to an end (at least the end of social distancing and mandatory masking). After being completely shut down for most of 2020 and running a limited program in 2021, we were optimistic that Marion was ready to get out of their living rooms, get some fresh air, and enjoy some live entertainment.
Then the COVID-induced supply chain issues and an unexpected war in Ukraine caused inflation to rear its ugly head. This, in turn, caused us to bite the bullet and raise ticket prices. When your paycheck doesn’t go as far as it once did, we realize it is more important to put food on your table than dole out some cash for a live show. And the beloved, historic Palace Theatre is also feeling the effects of a downturned economy.
In response to everyone’s economic woes, we at the Palace Theatre decided to do our part. We have taken a small section of the theatre and christened it “the Starlight Club.” Starting in January with "Chicks with Hits," a limited number of tickets for Palace-produced shows will be only $12, so everyone can enjoy what we have to offer.
Being a nonprofit entity, the Palace Theatre relies on community support, memberships, corporate and individual show sponsorships, along with corporate and government grant money to stay afloat. Marion is blessed to have such a magnificent venue, holding 1,400 people in a relatively small town. We need everyone’s help to keep the Palace alive and kicking.
Coming up this month, Harding High School will be presenting "The Wizard of Oz" on Nov. 11, 12 and 13. December brings us the 40th anniversary celebration of our holiday tradition, "Christmas at the Palace," written and directed by the legendary Clare Cooke, and featuring 269 local thespians. "Christmas at the Palace" is sponsored by the First Citizens National Bank, Dr. David and Jude Foulk, and the Marion Community Foundation through the Kathleen O’ Shea, Mary H. Holloway, and Beverly Young funds.
On Dec. 17 our second Christmas show will be Gaither Gospel Series "A Jazzy Little Christmas," starring Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, sponsored by Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.
A big thank you goes out to all who support the arts and the historic Marion Palace Theatre!
Kirk Detweiler is the executive director of the Marion Palace Theatre. For more information about theatre events and activities, go to marionpalace.org.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Palace Theatre to offer limited ticket discount in January
