Little Theatre production features debut of new curtains, sound and lighting
NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ Friday will mark not only the premiere of the musical comedy "Promises Promises" at the Little Theatre, but also the debut of new theater curtains and updated sound and lighting systems.
The new curtains replace ones that were used for more than 60 years.
"They were well loved, is the best way to describe it, but they were heavily stained," said Mary Maxwell, grant writer for the theater. "They were in the building at a time when people were smoking consistently. They had smoke stains. And honestly, other than aesthetics and keeping things up with the times, it was a safety concern."
The replacements were purchased from Tiffin Scenic Studios in Tiffin, Ohio, with a grant from the Reeves Foundation.
Other productions:'Footloose' is a real family affair for Little Theatre production
The theater was able to update the sound system with an in-kind gift from the Kimble Foundation and purchase 15 LED lights with a grant from the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation.
"Originally the lights were hanging and to change the colors or any effects or to refocus them, we'd have to get up on a ladder," Maxwell said. "Now all of that can be programmed from our phones or from the light board. They also produce less heat, so they are safer in that regard as well, and they're much more energy efficient."
The cast of "Promises Promises" has noticed a temperature difference on stage, because the new lights are not as hot, she said.
A premiere for the Little Theatre
The show, with a book by Neil Simon and songs by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, has never been performed at the Little Theatre, Director Bart Herman said. It premiered on Broadway in 1968.
It is based on the 1960 Oscar-winning film "The Apartment" and was nominated for four Tony awards. "Promises Promises" features such songs as "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," "I Say a Little Prayer" and "A House is not a Home."
"Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote a huge amount of music in the '60s, a lot of pop music people will recognize. It's the only Broadway musical they ever wrote," Herman said.
The three main roles will be played by Chester Boffo, Don Irven and Kate Johnson. The cast includes several people who have never been on stage before, as well as some who haven't been in a show for several years. About 70 to 80 community members are involved in the production.
Return of a full live orchestra
The production of "Promises Promises" will be the first Little Theatre production since 2018 to feature a live orchestra ‒ 15 musicians and nine singers.
Audience members will notice something else new. At the back of the stage are a series of LED panels, constructed by Matt Spies and Joe Compton. The panels are boxes built out of wood with LED tape inside and covered with spandex to allow the colors to blend. Maxwell said they are programmable and will be able to change colors throughout the show.
Herman noted that the show contains adult themes.
"I want the audience to know there are some adult situations in the show so gauge your young audience members," he said. "The language is not awful in it, but it does deal with an attempted suicide also."
Another musical:Carrick family sticking together for 'Ruthless! The Musical'
How to order tickets
"Promises Promises" runs for three weekends from Friday through March 5. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances at 2:30 p.m. All seats are reserved, and tickets can be purchased for $15 at the door or by calling the Kent State University-Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center box office at 330-308-6400. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the PAC box office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and online at www.TheLittleTheatreOnline.org.
The theater is located at 466 Carrie Ave. NW, New Philadelphia.
Maxwell said that 2023 will be an exciting year for the Little Theatre.
"We will be launching a rather large capital campaign later this year to make sure that our building and organization can continue to be accessible for the entire community — building updates, paving the parking lot, making sure that we just are keeping the building safe and secure and accessible," she said.
She added, "We're really grateful to the community because they keep coming in and they keep supporting us as an organization, especially in a time where a lot of community theaters weren't able to survive post-COVID. It's really exciting that we live in an area that was wanting to support and continue growing our community theater."
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: 'Promises Promises' premieres Friday at Little Theatre
