The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Encore Musical Theatre to host 'Evita' Feb. 5
By Sean Dalton, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 8, 2009
It's been more than one month since the open house at the Encore Musical Theatre on Nov. 29 and the support just keeps rolling in for the project that began with an unlikely visit by country music star Larry Gatlin.
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"The Open House for The Encore Musical Theatre Company on Nov. 29 was a success attended by over 200 people," said Encore President and co-founder Anne Koch.
The gala event featured some of the first musical performances - the first of many more to come - within the walls of their newly renovated space at 3126 Broad St.
Entertainment was provided by Broadway vocalists Dan Cooney and Jessica Grové along with community talent including John Sartor, Dr. Matt Hook, Willy Grové, Steve DeBruyne, Sonja Marquis and artist Ryan Weiss.
Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce president Joe Nowak and Dexter Daze chair Karen Bentley welcomed The Encore Musical Theatre Company to Dexter with Encore 100 membership donations.
"Our Encore 100 Membership is growing every day," said Koch, who indicated they had roughly 30 donors meeting the $500 donation threshold to become an Encore 100 member.
It's a feat that some volunteers close to the project were concerned about given the state of the economy, but no one has conceded that 100 donors of that caliber would not be reached. In fact, organizers expect to get there by the middle of 2009 or so.
Current supporters include business community members Judy and Tom Feldman, Joe and Julie Nowak of Absolute Computer, Jill Love and Rod Marlow of J. Love Photography, Dr. Brent Kolb & Liz Kolb of Dexter Family Dentistry, Dan and Abby O'Haver of Hackney Hardware, Diane and Frederick Schmid, Victoria Schon of Daisy Lake Art Gallery, Darcel and Mary Tolle, Kathy and Randy Willis of RW & KW Inc., Daniel Cooney, Ruth and Charles Cooney, William Cooney, Katie and Willie Grove, Anne and Paul Koch of Koch Masonry Inc., Amy and Stephen West, Jennifer and Larry Coates of Dexter Mill, Gloria Leininger, Julie Nagel, Elsi and Robert Sly, Ellen and Dick Lundy, Susan and William Dysarczyk of Bistro Renaissance, Pat and Paul Cousins, Patricia and Lee Knapp, Judy and Fred Model, Janice and David Mohler, Linda and Gary Van Der Haagen, and Robert Turck.
Local tradesmen Jim Conklin, drywall; Ron Bruce and Mike Davis, carpentry; Bob Tinker, architecture; John Sartor, Sartor Tile and Paul Koch, Koch Masonry Inc. are committed to the bulk of the work to complete the space that will comprise Dexter's venue for live musical entertainment.
With renovations nearly complete, the company is now into rehearsals for the Feb. 5 opening of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical "Evita."
Koch and other organizers have been trying to stress the fact that the Encore Musical Theatre, while giving local residents a chance to get involved with theater outside of enjoying it from the audience's perspective, is going to be bringing some heavy hitters to Dexter's stage from Broadway and elsewhere.
"These are real Broadway performers that are coming here to put on these shows," Executive Director Dan Cooney said.
The title role will be performed by actor Jessica Grové whose Broadway credits include "Sunday in the Park with George," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Les Misérables," "The Wizard of Oz" and will appear in the upcoming Broadway musical "Angels."
The role of Che Guevara will be performed by Encore Artistic Director Dan Cooney.
The role of "Juan Perón" will be performed by John Sartor whose credits include European tours of "Hair" and "Jesus Christ Superstar," regional theatres from Lake Placid to Key West and locally with the Jet Theatre and Michigan Opera Theatre. The role of Magaldi will be shared by Steve DeBruyne who has appeared in the National Tour of "The Full Monty."
"Evita" will run from Feb. 5 through Feb. 15 with Thursday performances at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 pm and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $28 for reserved seating, $25 Encore 100 members and Seniors (55+) and $22 for Groups (10+) or Youths (<17) at www.theencoretheatre.org or by calling (734) 719-3561.
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