The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Encore Musical Theatre organizers say support is strong
By Sean Dalton, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 22, 2008
Respondents in our publication's most recent web poll, which tackled the issue of unscientifically gauging the community's support for the Encore Musical Theatre Project, have indicated strong support for a musical theatre in the village.
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Visitors to www.dexterleader.com were asked, "The Encore Musical Theater Project is off to quite a start with a premier performance featuring country music star Larry Gatlin and several stars from Broadway. Organizers of the project are working on finding a building in downtown Dexter for the theater. What is your level of interest?"
Of the 65 respondents who shared their opinion, 35 percent choose the response "With Ann Arbor and Chelsea next door, I don't see the need (for the theatre)," to reflect their opinion.
On the other hand, 65 percent of respondents expressed varying degrees of support for the project, ranging from wanting to volunteer time and money to simply wanting to attend performances on a regular or semi-regular basis, which was a positive indicator to Paul Koch, who is one of the business partners and organizers behind the project.
"Honestly I haven't heard any negative feedback to the project," Koch said. In fact, he says he is still hearing buzz about Larry Gatlin's performance at the Dexter Center for Perforing Arts at Dexter High School last January.
Koch, along with his wife and business theatre project business partner, Anne, live in Chelsea and say that what they see in Dexter foreshadows the kind of support that The Purple Rose Theatre receives from businesses and residents in their hometown.
"There's really nothing in the immediate area that is exactly like what we are trying to do," Koch said in regard to the idea of overlap with The Purple Rose and the numerous live events that take place in Ann Arbor.
"What we're trying to bring is a Broadway caliber show with actual Broadway actors."
The closest competition for the Encore Musical Theatre would be the Fox or Fisher Theatres in Detroit, Koch pointed out.
According to Anne, the Koch's and their business partner and Broadway talent bringer and artistic director Daniel Cooney, are working on closing a building "in the heart of downtown Dexter."
Their big concerns are shoring up big donors and wrapping up their 501.3c application for non-profit status.
"We hope to have the building sealed up by October and to have things ready in time for a 2009 season," she said.
Cooney has been a core driving force behind the project, according to the Koch's. "Dan has been helping us gain support in the community," Anne Koch said.
Cooney could not be reached for comment as of press time, due to being out of the country on business.
"Our next step is to do a major fundraiser after we get out non-profit status taken care of and just seek more people willing to donate time or money," Koch said.
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