Special to the Star-Herald
The Presque Isle Community Players was incorporated in July 1989 as a non-profit organization, established for charitable, benevolent, educational and professional purposes. As stated in its bylaws, “The purpose is for literary and cultural activities – fostering and developing an interest in theatre and its related activities, both for local audiences and for interested performers.”
An organizational meeting of people interested in community theatre met earlier in 1989. Those founding members were: Margaret Coffin, Julie Daly, Barbara Demsey, Barb (Frick) Ladner, Dan Ladner, Rick Landeen, Cissy Libby, Jeanette Perry, Glenna Smith and Sylvia Weinberg. The group was interested in finding alternatives to already-existing theatrical venues in Presque Isle. From that meeting sprang The Presque Isle Community Players, with its focus on dinner theatre productions — as yet an untapped source for local entertainment.
The first production of The Players was in the fall of 1989, a very successful musical revue, “A Celebration of Irving Berlin,” was held at the Northeastland Hotel. In the spring of 1990, two one-act plays were performed by the group: “An Episode in the Life of An Author” and “A Thurber Carnival.” Other earlier productions consisted of: “Nunsense,” “You Can’t Take It With You,” “A Tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein,” “Love Letters,” “25 Years of the Great White Way,” “God’s Favorite” and “Popcorn and Mattinee Memories.”
Through the years, The Players continuously performed musical revues in the fall and straight plays (usually comedies) in the spring.
With the opening of the beautiful new Presque Isle Middle School Auditorium, the group has now graduated to producing full Broadway musicals there, with three hits under its belt: “The Music Man,” “Annie” and “The King and I.”
This year The Players celebrates its 20th anniversary, believed to be the longest-running community theatre group to have existed in Presque Isle’s history. Most recently members entertained at the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner, performing a USO-type show, complete with several songs dating back to the 1940s, when the Presque Isle Air Base was active.
Photo courtesy of PIACC
LOCAL STUDENTS showed their acting talent in this photo dating back to April 1983. Playing Lady Chesterton and her daughter are Leslie Aube and Elaine Gallagher. Playing Simon the Gardner and his son are Max Rowland and Pat Cyr. Leslie and Max were selected and went on to compete at the regional level in the all-festival cast.
Photo courtesy of PIACC
KRISTI PIERCE AND JOHN EDGECOMB served as co-chairs of Presque Isle’s Maine Street ’90 celebration.
