Renaissance celebrates 95th anniversary with jam-packed variety show
It was billed as a night to celebrate the past and shape the future.
The Renaissance Theatre recognized its 95th anniversary with a variety show Friday night. The wall-to-wall performances of the 95-minute program delighted the crowd that filled most of Rand Smith Auditorium.
"All of this is because we wanted to say thank you," Chelsie Thompson, president and CEO, told the audience.
There were so many performances there wasn't time for an intermission, though the Renaissance did host a dessert reception afterward.
Patrons got a little bit of everything, with performances by the Broadway ensemble, members of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, the Mansfield Youth Theatre and the Artistic Jazz Orchestra.
Interspersed with the performances were clips looking back at the history of the Renaissance, which opened in January 1928. It was called the Ohio Theatre at the time and was one of eight theaters in Mansfield.
The halcyon days of theater would not last. Television lured away much of the audience, and the Ohio Theatre eventually showed X-rated movies.
Outraged citizens led to the close of the Ohio Theatre, which reopened in 1980 as the Renaissance Theatre. It received a huge boost when the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program started holding pageants there.
Broadway ensemble kicks off festivities
Friday's show opened with the Broadway ensemble singing Abba's "Waterloo" from the musical "Mamma Mia."
The ensemble performed songs from other Renaissance favorites, such as "Newsies."
Maestro Octavio Mas-Oracas delivered a video message to the crowd, telling them the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra will be playing some of his favorite music in the upcoming season.
Some of the heartiest applause of the night went to members of the Mansfield Youth Theatre.
"Isn't it pretty amazing, the talent we have in the area?" Thompson asked during a brief break.
Friday's party took the place of the usual season preview, normally held this time of year. The Renaissance has been releasing parts of the upcoming season in recent weeks and gave the audience a sneak peek at some of the musicals for 2023-24.
The season will kick off July 29 with "Grease." Other musicals will be "Hello Dolly" and "Rent."
Michael Thomas, longtime artistic director at the Renaissance, said the theater changed its focus in the last 15 years, opting to put on shows with local talent.
Thomas also praised various collaborations, including one with the Richland Academy of the Arts. Some of the young dancers performed selections from "West Side Story" on Friday night.
Renaissance honors former CEO Michael Miller
Toward the end of the night, the Renaissance honored one of its own. Michael Miller was the CEO from 2010-22 and led the Ren through some dark times.
Former board Chairman Rand Smith offered a video message to Miller, saying he saved the institution, helping to raise millions of dollars and spearheading the expansion.
Miller, accompanied by wife Deb and daughter Jess, received a standing ovation.
"It certainly has been an honor to be a part of this magical place," he told the crowd, calling it one of the highlights of his life.
Miller said he looked at the Renaissance as a child.
"They say it takes a village to raise a child, and this child has been very high maintenance," he said, drawing laughter.
Just before the show ended, the Renaissance staff announced the concert series, which will feature several national acts, including Air Supply, a soft-rock staple of the 1980s, and country singer Collin Raye, along with Jim Brickman, who will perform on Valentine's Day.
In addition, tribute acts will honor Cher and Queen.
Ghostlight Lounge makes debut to VIP audience
About an hour before the program, the Ghostlight Lounge opened for a VIP crowd. Located on the lowest floor, which had not been used in years, it is a speakeasy, an homage to the era of Prohibition.
Renaissance staff Jana Estle, Jason Kaufman and Linda Turske have given the Ghostlight Lounge an atmosphere that will take patrons back to the 1920s. A piano sits at the end of the speakeasy. The tip jar on the bar is a giant martini glass.
"Eventually, we want to rent it out for parties," Estle said. "It's not to that point yet."
Many of the patrons on hand Friday night were longtime Renaissance fans. Loeta Geer, of Ontario, estimates she has been coming to the venerable theater for 50 years.
"They've made a lot of improvements over those years," she said.
Jim Henson has been a fan since the Renaissance was renamed.
"I like the variety of shows, some good shows ... very good shows," he said. "I like the fact that I get to get up on the stage for the Christmas show and sing."
Henson said he usually has to go solo when there is a musical because his wife is not a fan of the genre. He attended Friday's performance with his wife's sister.
"She hates musicals and will not sit through one," said Henson, a former common pleas court judge for the county.
Mrs. Henson missed out Friday night.
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield's Renaissance Theatre delivers variety show to big audience
