Live Theatre Returns to the Nuangola Grove

Fifty-three years after its last curtain call, a piece of our nation’s theatrical history is preparing for it’s return this weekend with a performance of the musical comedy review - “Comedy Tonight” which opens Friday, June 22, 2007 at 8:00pm with additional performances June 23, 29, and 30 at 8:00pm, June 24 and July 1 at 3:00pm.

On July 2, 1934, C. Perry Storm and Foster Storm founded the Broadway Players, a summer stock troupe which opened at the Nuangola Grove Theatre. At the time, it was one of only a few professional summer playhouses in the country. Royal Stout, whose performance credits span nearly 20 years, served as director and manager. The sets, made by members of the troupe, receive favorable reviews both locally and nationally. In sharp contrast to Community Theatre, only occaisionally would local residents perform and when they did, it was typically only in bit roles.

For almost 30 years, the Grove Theatre served up summer stock theatre starring actors like Kirk Douglas, Imogene Coca and Peter Mark Richman who would later move on to Broadway and Hollywood. In the late 1950’s, the theatre closed and was puchased by the Diocese of Scranton, serving as a church for 50 years until it too was closed.

This weekend, through the cooperation of the Nuangola Volunteer Fire Department and the Nuangola Lake Association, more than $100,000 in grants and donations, and the efforts of a small army of dedicated individuals, the Grove Theatre will once again open it’s doors and continue a legacy few, until recently, knew ever existed.

Tickets for “Comedy Tonight”, Directed by Deirdre McLaughlin and featuring music from Guys & Dolls, Oklahoma, Anything Goes, The Producers, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Avenue Q., are $15 (only slightly higher than the 1951 reserved ticket price of $1.10) and reservations can be made by calling the Grove Box Office at 570-868-8212.