The sounds of “Grease,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Annie,” “Sweet Charity” and “Gypsy” rang loud and clear and touched every wall of the historic Everett Theatre as hundreds of supporters witnessed the re-opening of Middletown’s crown jewel May 8.
As the scenes unfolded on stage, the audience sang, applauded and honored the theatre below shades of teal, red, yellow and gold under the safety of a brand new ceiling.
“Curtain Up” was the theatre’s inaugural performance after the majestic curtain was drawn and its doors were closed when the original plaster ceiling fell onto the seats below March 15, 2008, around 11:30 p.m.
Joe Hortiz, chairman of Associated Community Talents, Inc., kicked off the show as he reflected on the work that’s been done since the theatre’s interior was left in a cloud of dust.
“The theatre looks so good,” he said. “I hope you’re all happy.”
A.C.T., the board that oversees and maintains the Everett, has raised funds and received grants to complete extensive renovations to the theatre. The ceiling was restored, complete with intricate gold stenciling, as was the ceiling over the balcony. The floors were refinished, new carpet was installed and the cloth from the theatre’s walls was combined with acoustic materials to balance the range of tones with the new drywall.
The new design blends the colors and styles of the 1920s and 1940s with today’s improved lighting, acoustics and safety. This was phase one of the theatre’s renovations.
Future renovations include improvements to the theatre’s bathrooms, stage and dressing rooms, enhancements to advertising and upgraded handicap access.
Jay Greene, member of A.C.T., thanked the many hands who came together to bring the theatre back to life.
He said it was due to the help of many community members and the engineers that the theatre was able to reopen its doors.
“This theatre may have reunited the town,” Green said.
He said the late Ellen Combs Davis, who founded A.C.T. in 1983 to purchase and restore the Everett, is the reason the theatre stands open to the public today.
“Hopefully she is looking down smiling tonight,” Greene he said. “I have a funny feeling since the rain held up that she is.”
Ann Stevens said she thought the theatre had a vintage look and feel to it.
“It’s wonderful,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting it to look vintage.”
Artist Larry Anderson painted a picture of the Everett from the viewpoint of the Forest Presbyterian Church steeple. Prints of the painting are on sale for $85 and proceeds go to the Everett’s restoration.
“I saw that the ceiling collapsed and we were looking for ways to raise money,” he said.
Bob Maslow, who donated signed portraits of actors and actresses that now hang in the Everett’s lobby, said the theatre was remarkably restored.
“The enhancement they’ve done is unbelievable,” he said. “It’s almost to the point of being extravagant. It’s artsy, but in a classy way.”
Bob Hasson, owner of Elements Restaurant & Piano Bar, was on the steering committee for the theatre rebuilding, helped raise funds and contributed monetary donations to the theatre’s restoration.
“It absolutely looks wonderful,” he said.
The evening continued as the stage filled with cast members who sang and danced the night away to music directed by Larry Hirsch.
A little comic relief was added with an excerpt from The “Compleat Works of William Shakespeare Abriged.”
Magician Guido Camponelli dazzled the audience as he made doves appear out of thin air then transform into a woman in a white dress, and jars of peanut butter and jelly switched places with each other on opposite ends of the stage.
Hedley Davis, son of Ellen Combs Davis, said there was still much to do before the theatre was 100 percent restored, but he enjoyed the evening and thought about his mother during the opening number.
“This is pretty cool,” he said.
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The sounds of “Grease,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Annie,” “Sweet Charity” and “Gypsy” rang loud and clear and touched every wall of the historic Everett Theatre as hundreds of supporters witnessed the re-opening of Middletown’s crown jewel May 8.
As the scenes unfolded on stage, the audience sang, applauded and honored the theatre below shades of teal, red, yellow and gold under the safety of a brand new ceiling.
“Curtain Up” was the theatre’s inaugural performance after the majestic curtain was drawn and its doors were closed when the original plaster ceiling fell onto the seats below March 15, 2008, around 11:30 p.m.
Joe Hortiz, chairman of Associated Community Talents, Inc., kicked off the show as he reflected on the work that’s been done since the theatre’s interior was left in a cloud of dust.
“The theatre looks so good,” he said. “I hope you’re all happy.”
A.C.T., the board that oversees and maintains the Everett, has raised funds and received grants to complete extensive renovations to the theatre. The ceiling was restored, complete with intricate gold stenciling, as was the ceiling over the balcony. The floors were refinished, new carpet was installed and the cloth from the theatre’s walls was combined with acoustic materials to balance the range of tones with the new drywall.
The new design blends the colors and styles of the 1920s and 1940s with today’s improved lighting, acoustics and safety. This was phase one of the theatre’s renovations.
Future renovations include improvements to the theatre’s bathrooms, stage and dressing rooms, enhancements to advertising and upgraded handicap access.
Jay Greene, member of A.C.T., thanked the many hands who came together to bring the theatre back to life.
He said it was due to the help of many community members and the engineers that the theatre was able to reopen its doors.
“This theatre may have reunited the town,” Green said.
He said the late Ellen Combs Davis, who founded A.C.T. in 1983 to purchase and restore the Everett, is the reason the theatre stands open to the public today.
“Hopefully she is looking down smiling tonight,” Greene he said. “I have a funny feeling since the rain held up that she is.”
Ann Stevens said she thought the theatre had a vintage look and feel to it.
“It’s wonderful,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting it to look vintage.”
Artist Larry Anderson painted a picture of the Everett from the viewpoint of the Forest Presbyterian Church steeple. Prints of the painting are on sale for $85 and proceeds go to the Everett’s restoration.
“I saw that the ceiling collapsed and we were looking for ways to raise money,” he said.
Bob Maslow, who donated signed portraits of actors and actresses that now hang in the Everett’s lobby, said the theatre was remarkably restored.
“The enhancement they’ve done is unbelievable,” he said. “It’s almost to the point of being extravagant. It’s artsy, but in a classy way.”
Bob Hasson, owner of Elements Restaurant & Piano Bar, was on the steering committee for the theatre rebuilding, helped raise funds and contributed monetary donations to the theatre’s restoration.
“It absolutely looks wonderful,” he said.
The evening continued as the stage filled with cast members who sang and danced the night away to music directed by Larry Hirsch.
A little comic relief was added with an excerpt from The “Compleat Works of William Shakespeare Abriged.”
Magician Guido Camponelli dazzled the audience as he made doves appear out of thin air then transform into a woman in a white dress, and jars of peanut butter and jelly switched places with each other on opposite ends of the stage.
Hedley Davis, son of Ellen Combs Davis, said there was still much to do before the theatre was 100 percent restored, but he enjoyed the evening and thought about his mother during the opening number.
“This is pretty cool,” he said.
The opening gala
Before the ribbon was cut, the Everett’s guests dressed to the nines for The Everett Theatre’s Opening Gala, which was held in the Forest Presbyterian Church parking lot on Main Street.
The $75-per-person tickets raised funds for the theatre’s ongoing restoration and included the “Curtain Up!” production, entrance to the gala and an A.C.T. membership.
Men dressed in fine suits and tuxedos and women in dazzling gowns were welcomed by a dessert bar that featured chocolate éclairs and an assortment of cakes provided by Immediato’s Catering. The guests were able to taste a variety of cheeses, vegetables, fruits and shrimp while sipping on different wines and beers, provided by Elements.
Many prominent faces attended, including Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware), Miss Delaware USA Kate Banaszak and local representatives.
Rep. Quinn Johnson (D-8th district) said he was very excited for everyone who worked on the Everett.
“I can only imagine what happened behind the scenes,” he said. “The Everett is an icon of Middletown.”
Gina Valania brought her daughter, Kirsten, along for the evening. Gina, who is the workshop coordinator for the theatre, said the Children’s Summer Theatre Workshop is celebrating its 25th year this summer.
“We’re looking for old workshop people,” she said. “My hope is to have people who have been in it in the past so we can recognize them.”
Lifelong Middletown resident Bill Hutchison was there with a group of folks who were eager to see the theatre’s comeback.
“I love the Everett,” he said. “I used to come here and watch ‘The Three Stooges’ for 10 cents.”
Angie Robertson said she thought the gala was fantastic and she was thrilled the historic theatre was reopening.
“I love the theatre,” she said. “I’m anxious to see what they’ve done and how they’ve restored it. It’s a treasure. We’re lucky to have it.”
Heldey Davis said he thought it was great to have seen so many people come to the event and that his mother Ellen Combs Davis would be very content.
“Ellen would think this event is old school,” he said. “I think she would be pleased.”
Joan Green said the amount of people who have attended is fantastic.
“It will help not only the theatre, but the town,” she said.
The Everett’s House Front Manager Katie Gearinger said the event was fabulous.
“It’s great so many people turned out and now that they’re members of A.C.T.,” she said. “I hope they’ll stay involved with the Everett and help keep things going.”
Greene said the theatre does need the support of the community to thrive as the cultural arts center of Middletown, and he hopes the new A.C.T. members take a vested interested in the theatre.
But for now, the historic Everett theatre is back and better than ever.
“Welcome back to The Everett Theatre – the jewel of historic downtown Middletown,” he said.
Transcript Staff Reporter Robin Cebula contributed to this story.
