About Cortland Repertory Theatre
Cortland Repertory Theatre Has a Record-Breaking Summer
Cortland Repertory Theatre announced that attendance numbers for their 2007 summer season broke all records in the theatre’s 36 year history. The total number attending the main-stage season at the Edward Jones Playhouse reached 17,122 people, more than 1,000 above previous years. This amount does not take into account the CRT Kids children’s show “Treasure Island” which also enjoyed a healthy run.
CRT’s Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson points out that this success was the result of a team effort. “Everyone this summer put their heart and soul into the productions,” he says. “The hard work from our summer casts, crew, directors and designers, not to mention the year round work and fund raising efforts of the Board of Directors and Guild made for a terrific summer.” He also acknowledges the work that CRT’s Business Manager Barclay Diamond does all year, and points out that their new on-line ticketing system was a result of her research and implementation.
Thompson expressed gratitude to the Cortland County Highway Department, who are in charge of Dwyer Memorial Park where the theatre is located, for their continued support and emergency assistance. “Early in the summer, the theatre lost power three times in two days due to lighting strikes on Route 281. The Highway Department and Niagara Mohawk were there to help us and even though it was close a couple of times, we never had to cancel a performance. I’m pretty sure the employees of Highway Department never planned to go into show business, but when it’s down to the wire like that, they really understand the phrase ‘the show must go on!’”
Three of the 2007 main-stage performances saw over 90% attendance: “Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver” hit 91% attendance with 2,720 people, and “Fiddler on the Roof” was 93% attendance with 4,179 people seeing the show over three weeks. “Of course, the real surprise was ‘The Great American Trailer Park Musical’, said Thompson, “which had an unbelievable attendance of 99% with 2,956 people. That show tied with our other top seller, ‘Always, Patsy Cline’ from the summer of 2001.” Also with impressive attendance figures was Agatha Christie’s “Ten Little Indians”, which came in at 89%, or 2,654 people. CRT’s remaining shows, “How the Other Half Loves” and the regional premiere of, “Almost, Maine” also enjoyed high sales, both at 77% attendance, which puts them in the Top 5 of CRT’s best selling plays. “I was most impressed with people’s reaction to “Almost, Maine,” added Thompson. “During its run, not a day went by that we didn’t get an email, letter or phone call from someone telling us how much they enjoyed the show. Our sponsors and advertisers should also be very proud of their contribution to this record-breaking season. Their continued support to CRT and the community is deeply appreciated.”
Attendance also increased with the CRT Kids programs. Two additional performances of “Treasure Island” were added to the schedule because of overwhelming demand for tickets. The number of young people who attended CRT’s “Showstoppers and Superstars Musical Theatre Adventure Camp,” for students in K-5, more than doubled from last year, with a total of 68 participants. The “Stars of Tomorrow” Drama Camp for students in grades 5 - 12 grade also enjoyed the same high attendance with 63 participants.
“These programs are so valuable because of the introduction of theatre to young people,” offers Thompson. “They’re safe environments where they learn, not just about theatre, but self expression, confidence and team work.”
Thompson and the Board of Directors Play Review Committee are currently working on the show selection for next season. “We have a pretty good idea of what the shows will be, but we’re just waiting on the confirmation from the royalties companies on availability. If all goes as planned, we’ll have three regional premieres, making five of the six shows brand new to our CRT audience. The focus as always is on variety, and looking at the past to see what our audience likes. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”
Meanwhile, the theatre has upcoming events planned including the Guild’s annual Crafts Fair on November 16 & 17 at the Quagmire Manor Bed and Breakfast, and the 6th annual “Christmas with CRT” evening of holiday songs and readings to be held on Saturday December 15 at Grace Episcopal Church.
An afternoon performance has been added, and show times will be 3:00 and 7:00 PM. The 2008 season will be announced near the beginning of November and will be posted on the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org . For more information, call 800-427-6160.