SEASON SIX OPENED IN THE NEW WATERFRONT SOUTH THEATRE ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2010!
We celebrated the opening of this grand, new space with the play that started it all. "Last Rites", written by our producing artistic director, Joseph M. Paprzycki and directed by Christopher "Jumbo" Schimpf.
The play took place in the corner bar that once stood on the very spot where the theatre now stands. Audiences traveled back to 1967 to visit with Joe's grandparent's, Walt and Sue Evanuk and the shipbuilders, their wives and the priests who once frequented this popular corner bar. This drama portrayed the downfall of America’s blue collar cities and showed how history may be repeating itself today.
The play ran for four weeks and saw more than 800 audience members during the run. The show continued to gain momentum and closed on October 3, 2010 to a sell-out crowd.
The opening weekend was marked by speeches, a neighbood picnic celebration sponsored by Sacred Heart church and a ribbon-cutting by the Honorable Mayor Dana L. Redd with Father Michael Doyle, Helene Pierson and Joseph M. Paprzycki.
Joe's mom and aunt Josephine were also on hand and took part in the ribbon cutting and dedication of the lobby to their parents. Walt and Sue's picture was hung in the lobby and dedicated on opening night to mark this rebirth of a neighborhood gathering place.
This festive occasion was also marked by a fabulous champagne toast after each of the three weekend performances. The champagne toast and real champagne glasses were generously provided by Event Navigators of Gladwyn, PA.
