Summer theater is expensive,
and requires huge amounts of effort from the dedicated volunteers and professionals who keep it going. But in our region, seasonal theater
companies manage to survive, and the number of offerings keeps growing. We look at why so many people are willing to spend hundreds of
hours putting on shows, and what makes theater goers shell out twenty
dollars or more per ticket to see a play. We talk with perennial Vermont actor Mark
Roberts about the intense and satisfying experience good theater provides, and the forces that keep theater going. And Steve
Stettler, producing director of the Weston Playhouse, shares some of his secrets
for producing shows that please both audiences and artists while keeping his company solvent.(Listen)
Also on the program, host
Jane Lindholm visits Rutland for an update on the aftermath of last week’s
summer storms. The city’s state offices and some important downtown business
are still closed in the wake of flooding and a sewer system failure. Jane talks
with Rutland Mayor Chris Louras about how the city plans to recover.(Listen)
Photo: From the Weston Playhouse Theater Company performance of "Click Clack Moo — Cows that type" (Ryan Harlow photo)
Here’s a sampling of VPR’s coverage of previous summer theater productions across Vermont. Click on the links below to listen to the stories.
Beyond Therapy – Waterbury Festival Players
Moonlight & Magnolias – The Dorset Theatre Festival
The Gondoliers – Unadilla Theater Company
Godspell – St. Michael’s College Playhouse
Jekyll and Hyde, the Musical – Stowe Theatre
Guild
The Tempest – Lost Nation Theater
Links to Vermont Theaters
Barre Opera House (Barre, VT)
Dorset Players (Dorset, VT)
Dorset Theatre Festival (Dorset, VT)
Essex Community Players (Essex, VT)
Haskell Opera House (Derby Line, VT)
Lamoille County Players (Hyde Park, VT)
Lost Nation Theater (Montpelier, VT)
Lyric Theatre Company (Burlington, VT)
Northern Stage (White River Junction, VT)
Paramount Theater (Rutland, VT)
QuarryWorks (Adamant, VT)
St. Michael’s Playhouse (Colchester, VT)
Sandglass Theater Institute (Marlboro, VT)
Saxton’s River Playhouse (Saxton’s River, VT)
Stowe Theatre Guild (Stowe, VT)
Unadilla Theatre (Marshfield, VT)
Valley Players (Waitsfield, VT)
Vermont Stage Company (Burlington, VT)
Vermont Theatre Company (Brattleboro, VT)
Weston Playhouse (Weston, VT)
White River Valley Players (Rochester, VT)