February 14th, 2008
Acting Up for 85 Years….
There is something so compelling about live theater. We’ve known this as far back as the ancient Greeks. Throughout the ages, man has been performing on stages for the delight of audiences in nearly all eras and civilizations. For the audiences, it’s a chance to peer into the lives of others, to be entertained and to break away from the bonds of routine. For the performers, it’s a chance to pretend to be someone else for a while.
One venerable local group has provided the escape of live theater to residents of our area. Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre (LTWB) formed as a group way, way back in 1923. There has not been a single year that has passed when this group was not presenting some type of production to the public. LTWB has a reputation as being one of the oldest performing groups in the entire country. Not the oldest, but right up there in the top three (depending on what you read). Not many groups in Wilkes-Barre have stayed active for so long. Some people living here don’t even know about LTWB. Those who do think it’s the name of a building on North Main Street. The building itself was actually purchased by the group in 1958. It was a former movie house that some old-timers in the North End may still remember as The Sterling Theater.
I count myself as one of the thousands who have been fortunate enough to be part of LTWB throughout the ages. I’ve only performed in five shows that I can remember but that was 17 years ago. I really enjoyed it. I’m not sure how to convey the feeling one gets right before walking onto the stage. It really is some form of euphoria or drug. I am sure that there are some who are addicted to it. My hands shake, my eyes water and I am sure I need to piddle right then and there. When the cue comes to walk on stage, yikes! Knowing the audience is watching every move, well it’s remarkably exhilarating!
Everyone has a chance to get this feeling. All shows at LTWB are open-casting. None are pre-cast. Even the director positions are advertised to the public. There’s just one catch (and it’s a big one): nobody gets paid. Well, there is an honorarium for the directors amounting to pennies per hour, maybe. The actors, ushers, box office staff, organizers, stage managers, house managers are paid nothing. Ever. All are there for the love of the art. Hard to believe, isn’t it?
These cast members will give up six weeks of their lives to rehearse and appear in a performance that will span two weekends. That’s it. When it’s done, it’s over for ever. Due to royalties, no taping of performances can be permitted. The shows are preserved only in the memory of those in attendance. In this age of TiVo, DVD, Webcams, et. al., it’s hard to believe that something can exist only in the moment, but it’s true and the rights to these plays are strictly regulated. Just try to get the rights to perform “The Phantom of the Opera”. Impossible. (And when it becomes possible, it will be unaffordable!) Snapshots are permitted, but not during a performance. The only memento the cast gets is rehearsal photos and maybe their headshot if they steal it from the marquee before it gets placed to the archives. You have to be a special person to want to do this. Why participate? Especially those who aren’t volunteering on stage? What do they get out of it?
Theater people are actually a crazy sort, I think. Most have above average intelligence and are fairly witty. They have their superstitions: say “break a leg” not “good luck”, keep a light on the stage even when the building is empty, they don’t practice bows or curtain calls until last rehearsal, flowers are only given after performances and for some reason, they don’t quote Macbeth while in the theater. Very few are mean-spirited. They’re almost all “night owls” and many like “the drink”. But you won’t find better friends anywhere. They’re like loyal loveable puppies.
The 85th Anniversary celebration for this fine group will take place on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the building at 537 North Main Street. Downtown newbies, Bart & Urby’s, will cater a pre-show reception for the old dame. The LTWB performers will present a special tribute to pay homage to the love of theater. The tribute is more about the process than the product. You can’t help but feel proud for these folks as they honor those who came before them. The legacy of their hard work ensures that future generations can enjoy sweaty palms and tummy butterflies.
You should come to see the show. After all, it’s one night only.
