Barefoot Productions fundraiser has an Irish accent
Plymouth’s only live theatre company will offer its patrons something a little different May 31st: an evening of Irish music. The Barefoot Productions fundraiser will feature McLaughlin’s Alley, a local band known for lively performances that have audiences singing and clapping along in no time. Why Irish music? “It appeals to everybody,” said Barefoot’s Artistic Director and Founder, Craig Hane. “It’s great fun and it provides a nice party atmosphere.”
From humorous to haunting
The McLaughlin’s Alley playlist includes favorites such as "Black Velvet Band", "McNamara’s Band" and "Danny Boy" as well as lesser known but equally appealing songs like the wildly humorous "Old Maid in the Garrett" (“If I can’t get a man, I’ll surely keep me parrot”), the lively "Whiskey in the Jar" (a-woman-done-him-wrong song) and the hauntingly beautiful "Mary from Dungloe", about an immigrant yearning for the girl he left behind.
McLaughlin’s Alley consists of Tina Paraventi (vocals, 12-string guitar), Maureen Paraventi (vocals, flute) Stuart Tucker (drums), Norm Andresen (bass) and Rebekah Poxson (vocals, ukulele. Copies of the band’s CDs, McLaughlin’s Green and Little by Little, will be available at the fundraiser.
The biggest season ever
The event will also give the theatre a chance to let patrons know about its ambitious upcoming season of seven shows in 12 months. “In the history of Barefoot, it is the biggest season that we have ever put together,” said Hane. It also may be the most eclectic, ranging from comedies like Things My Mother Taught Me and Southern Hospitality to heavy-duty dramas like The Lights are Warm and Coloured (the Lizzie Borden story) and One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. It’s that kind of variety that has earned the eight-year-old theatre company a loyal audience base in Plymouth – along with a battalion of dedicated volunteers who help build sets, sew costumes, distribute publicity, manage props, usher and sell tickets and refreshments. (And more volunteers are always welcome!)
Local and affordable
“People appreciate live theatre,” said Hane, who says Barefoot is committed to offering top-quality entertainment at affordable prices. “We’re not any more expensive than going to see a movie. If you were to go and see an evening movie for a $12 ticket and buy $5 worth of concessions, you’re paying more than you would to come and see one of our shows.” Beyond serving up entertainment for audience members, Barefoot also provides opportunities for people who’ve always wanted to get involved in the theatre.
If you’ve always wanted to act…
Hane says this is the year to come out and audition, because many of the shows have large casts with roles of varying sizes – including small ones with only a few lines that allow nervous newbies to get their feet wet without feeling too much performance pressure.“Even if you only have two or three lines, you’re still involved in the entire production, getting your feet wet, and learning the process of how a show is put together.” Major roles aren’t beyond the realm of possibility, either. During the theatre’s 2012-13 season,
Plymouth resident Sandy Marulis was cast as the lead in Driving Miss Daisy – and delivered a rich, spirited performance. Why is this noteworthy? The 60-something Marulis had never been in a play before. “She’d always wanted to be on stage but didn’t have the courage to do it – until then,” said Hane. “Anybody can do it.”
Surviving on ticket sales is…not easy
Despite the relationships it’s forged within the community, like many non-profits, Barefoot Productions struggles to maintain a healthy bottom line.
“We are one of few community theatres in the area that is not subsidized by grants, sponsorships or a city government – beyond Wilcox Grants that allowed Barefoot to purchase its sign and do necessary upgrades to the building,” explains Hane. “Other than that, we are strictly a stand-alone, on-our-own, non-profit theatre that has to come up with running expenses such as rent, heat, lighting, insurance and operating costs. We survive strictly on ticket sales.”
Thus the Irish-themed fundraiser, which will be augmented by concession sales and raffles. The theatre is also inviting people to “adopt” one of its comfortable new seats; a donation gets the patron’s name on a brass plate affixed to a seat.
Plymouth’s only live theatre company will offer its patrons something a little different May 31st: an evening of Irish music. The Barefoot Productions fundraiser will feature McLaughlin’s Alley, a local band known for lively performances that have audiences singing and clapping along in no time. Why Irish music? “It appeals to everybody,” said Barefoot’s Artistic Director and Founder, Craig Hane. “It’s great fun and it provides a nice party atmosphere.”
From humorous to haunting
The McLaughlin’s Alley playlist includes favorites such as "Black Velvet Band", "McNamara’s Band" and "Danny Boy" as well as lesser known but equally appealing songs like the wildly humorous "Old Maid in the Garrett" (“If I can’t get a man, I’ll surely keep me parrot”), the lively "Whiskey in the Jar" (a-woman-done-him-wrong song) and the hauntingly beautiful "Mary from Dungloe", about an immigrant yearning for the girl he left behind.
McLaughlin’s Alley consists of Tina Paraventi (vocals, 12-string guitar), Maureen Paraventi (vocals, flute) Stuart Tucker (drums), Norm Andresen (bass) and Rebekah Poxson (vocals, ukulele. Copies of the band’s CDs, McLaughlin’s Green and Little by Little, will be available at the fundraiser.
The biggest season ever
The event will also give the theatre a chance to let patrons know about its ambitious upcoming season of seven shows in 12 months. “In the history of Barefoot, it is the biggest season that we have ever put together,” said Hane. It also may be the most eclectic, ranging from comedies like Things My Mother Taught Me and Southern Hospitality to heavy-duty dramas like The Lights are Warm and Coloured (the Lizzie Borden story) and One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. It’s that kind of variety that has earned the eight-year-old theatre company a loyal audience base in Plymouth – along with a battalion of dedicated volunteers who help build sets, sew costumes, distribute publicity, manage props, usher and sell tickets and refreshments. (And more volunteers are always welcome!)
Local and affordable
“People appreciate live theatre,” said Hane, who says Barefoot is committed to offering top-quality entertainment at affordable prices. “We’re not any more expensive than going to see a movie. If you were to go and see an evening movie for a $12 ticket and buy $5 worth of concessions, you’re paying more than you would to come and see one of our shows.” Beyond serving up entertainment for audience members, Barefoot also provides opportunities for people who’ve always wanted to get involved in the theatre.
If you’ve always wanted to act…
Hane says this is the year to come out and audition, because many of the shows have large casts with roles of varying sizes – including small ones with only a few lines that allow nervous newbies to get their feet wet without feeling too much performance pressure.“Even if you only have two or three lines, you’re still involved in the entire production, getting your feet wet, and learning the process of how a show is put together.” Major roles aren’t beyond the realm of possibility, either. During the theatre’s 2012-13 season,
Plymouth resident Sandy Marulis was cast as the lead in Driving Miss Daisy – and delivered a rich, spirited performance. Why is this noteworthy? The 60-something Marulis had never been in a play before. “She’d always wanted to be on stage but didn’t have the courage to do it – until then,” said Hane. “Anybody can do it.”
Surviving on ticket sales is…not easy
Despite the relationships it’s forged within the community, like many non-profits, Barefoot Productions struggles to maintain a healthy bottom line.
“We are one of few community theatres in the area that is not subsidized by grants, sponsorships or a city government – beyond Wilcox Grants that allowed Barefoot to purchase its sign and do necessary upgrades to the building,” explains Hane. “Other than that, we are strictly a stand-alone, on-our-own, non-profit theatre that has to come up with running expenses such as rent, heat, lighting, insurance and operating costs. We survive strictly on ticket sales.”
Thus the Irish-themed fundraiser, which will be augmented by concession sales and raffles. The theatre is also inviting people to “adopt” one of its comfortable new seats; a donation gets the patron’s name on a brass plate affixed to a seat.