Simsbury Summer Theatre Presents its 52nd Show

SIMSBURY, CT — Simsbury Summer Theatre is pleased to announce its 52nd show, On the Town! This family-friendly, musical comedy features music by Leonard Bernstein and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolf Green. Set in New York City in wartime 1944, the story tells of 3 sailors on a 24-hour shore leave and their exciting adventures when each quickly meets a woman. With popular and classic songs including “New York, New York”, “Lonely Town”, and “I Can Cook, Too”, this show is sure to have audiences tapping along in their seats.

Principal roles are played by Kit Campolieta (Claire), Zoe Eisenhaure (Madame Dilly),
Brian Hanshaw (Chip), Luke Pace (Judge Pitkin), Brenna Pellon (Ivy Smith), Emmalee Richards (Hildy Esterhazy), Charlie Uthgenannt (Gabey) and Ethan Windisch (Ozzie).

Onstage Professional Staff is Joe Campolieta (Artistic Director and Conductor),
Mimi Schreiber (Music Director), Lesley Lambert (Choreographer), and Amanda Mulé (Assistant Director).
Performances of On the Town are at 7 p.m. on August 2nd, 3rd and 4th, and at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on August 5th at the Werner Centennial Theater at Westminster School in Simsbury.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.simsburysummertheatre.org. Tickets are $15 for seniors (over 65) and children (under 12) and $18 for adults.
The Box Office, which is located in the lobby of the Werner Centennial Theater at Westminster School (995 Hopmeadow Street) in Simsbury is open from 6:45pm – 8:00pm every Tuesday and Thursday in July, and July 31, and August 1st and an hour prior to each show.
Ticket information: 860-971-0433

This is the 52nd year for the non-profit, self-funded organization. SST provides a comprehensive theatre experience for high school and college students; members come from towns all over the Farmington Valley and Western Massachusetts, and many are planning a career in musical theatre.

History is best told in the words of those who were there, so we start our story with the memories of the late Betty Emery, our first “producer.” When founded, the group was known as the Simsbury Summer Theatre for Youth, or SSTFY for short.

“After St. Mary's produced Bye, Bye Birdie in the spring of 1966, the teenagers were heartbroken it was over. We old-timers were pretty worn out, but Mike Hurley, our wonderful Birdie director, said he'd be willing to find something for the young folks to do during the summer. Mike and I went to Father Carlone at St. Mary's and asked for ‘seed’ money, which he readily gave. Other churches in Simsbury did like-wise. What a thrill to see it all come together! So - the Simsbury Summer Theatre for Youth was born.”

In the beginning, SSTFY – pronounced as S-S-Tee-F-Y - rehearsed at Boy Scout Hall. The set was built at the gristmill (currently Millwright’s Restaurant) and performances were at Eno Hall. Simsbury High was under construction, however, and in 1968, SSTFY performances were moved to the newly-built SHS auditorium. By the early 1970s, cast and orchestra rehearsals for “Summer Theatre,” as it was known, were held in Eno and sets were built at Boy Scout Hall, with everyone at SHS the last two weeks. This practice continued into the 1980s, when the whole production run was moved to Simsbury High, then in 2004 (when SHS was under construction) to Westminster School’s Werner Centennial Theater. SST continues to rent Centennial – it is a great facility, providing a comfortable, air-conditioned experience for audiences and a hospitable environment for a theatre company since it comes complete with a dance studio, rehearsal rooms, costume shop, set construction shop and a helpful, welcoming support from Westminster School.

Like so many other aspects, SST’s professional staff has evolved. Founder D. Michael Hurley was the artistic director from 1966 until 1972, and Lou Hurd was orchestra director, and then overall music director through 1975’s Annie Get Your Gun, both unpaid volunteers. Following their tenure, a series of directors, music directors, and choreographers were hired. Joe Campolieta – “Mr. Campo” - the current artistic director is in his 18th year, and is the longest-serving director in SST’s history. The professional staff (artistic director, music director, choreographer, stage manager, set designer, set builder, set decorator) provides the necessary leadership and skillset to produce a show. Both staff and adult volunteers mentor, teach and guide members backstage and onstage during the six-week process. Show choices are recommended to the Board of Directors by the artistic director, with input from other directors; it’s felt that they are in the best position to make this recommendation based on the many criteria and the abilities of the current members. SST does mainly classic shows - they have wide audience appeal, memorable songs and larger casts; it’s important to SST to offer cast opportunities to as many members as possible.

Also changed over the years is SST’s membership policy. When founded, SSTFY was restricted to Simsbury residents. That changed over the years as SST’s reputation grew and non-residents increasingly asked to join the organization, SST membership is now open to anyone who meets the age criteria of incoming high school freshman through age 22. With members now hailing from towns around the Farmington Valley, the Greater Hartford area and Western Mass, the change made SST a well-rounded organization, brought in new talent, and allowed friendships that cross town boundaries to flourish.

Simsbury Summer Theatre alumni have gone on to star on Broadway, regional and national tours, as well as countless community theatre productions. SST alumni also include orchestra conductors, instrumental soloists and symphony members, technical theatre professionals, playwrights, Disney characters, composers and Emmy, Tony, and Oscar nominees and winners.

SST is run by a volunteer board of directors, over the years mostly made up of parents and past parents. In 1987, Nancy Grandin became the first alumni to join the Adult Board and, rejoining the board in 2001, has been president since 2005. Simsbury Summer Theatre’s by-laws included this statement: “To provide theatrical entertainment and other programs of an educational nature for the benefit of and by the efforts… constructive educational opportunities in theater arts…experience in interpersonal skills, self-improvement and non-profit organization management and operation for youth.” For 52 years, while members and adult volunteers have come and gone, the Farmington Valley has grown and changed, and the challenges of “putting on a show” have multiplied, SST stays true to its mission.