Carson City's Proscenium Players Inc., builds back post-COVID; 'Barefoot in the Park' opens Friday
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Thu, 05/19/2022 - 1:24pm
They’re producing it and hoping audiences will come. Long time Carson City theater group, Proscenium Players, Inc wants to bring people back to live theater. The COVID pandemic and subsequent restrictions shut down the theater group’s productions in March of 2020, now it hopes to build back both its cast and crew, as well as its audience.
“We were in the middle of rehearsing for our spring show when the lockdown hit, and like everyone else everything just stopped,” said PPI President Michon Chandler. “The shutdown not only caused us to lose some of our regular audience but many of our performers and crew as well.”
PPI is currently performing Neil Simon’s ‘Barefoot in the Park’ at the Brewery Arts Center. Chandler is hopeful that the popular play will attract a good audience. It’s the group’s third production since COVID restrictions were eased and the first since the mask mandate was lifted.
The second play, “Four Weddings and an Elvis” attracted a good audience through word of mouth and Chandler says she’s hoping for an even larger attendance with this play. She believes theater makes an important contribution to our community. “Live theatre is a much more inclusive experience than just watching television and movies. It’s a great way to disconnect from all of our electronics and reconnect with our neighbors. It brings the theater and community together. Art in all of its forms is the soul of our society.”
Established in 1965 by longtime Carson City resident and theater enthusiast Maize Harris — Jesse, PPI is Carson City’s oldest theater company. Since then, the group has produced more than 160 plays.
“This community has always had a strong tie to the performing arts,” Chandler continued. There are 2 well developed children’s theatre programs as well as the program at Western Nevada College. I think we are all happy to be back to doing what we love.”
Chandler says she hopes more people get out and enjoy theater and also consider joining PPI as well. “We have a long tradition of acceptance to all community members, regardless of talent, experience, or age. It is a great place to be involved whether onstage, backstage, or ushering.”
Performances of “Barefoot in the Park” take place in the Brewery Arts Center’s Performance Hall on May 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 7:30 P.M. and May 22 and 29 at 2:00 P.M. Tickets may be purchased at www.breweryarts.org. For information on becoming a member of the Proscenium Players Inc. contact ppicommunitytheater@gmail.com. The public can also learn more by attending the group’s Annual Meeting and Celebration June 12th 2pm in the Brewery Arts Center’s Grand Ballroom.
