Old Port Playhouse plans October launch
Maybe Bacchus, god of the theater, had something to do with it.
The stars seem to have aligned for Old Port Playhouse, Portland's newest professional theater. Located in the same block as the Nickelodeon Theater on Temple Street, the 70-seat venue faces out onto a plaza where a decorative mask of Bacchus, patron deity of theater, is one of the cultural landmarks.
Michael J. Tobin and Jeffrey Caron said they never suspected that their chosen home for their playhouse, which plans its opening night on Oct. 9, would fit their needs so well.
"We had no idea. We came looking at the space," Caron said, recalling how the partners checked out the site of a former hair salon and tanning parlor at 19 Temple St. "We looked at it and said, 'This is perfect,' and we went to the city to look at the zoning, and they said, 'That's already zoned as a theater.'"
It turns out, the business at one time was the old Profile Theater.
"Our first step was to find a location, and we looked in a couple of different places, but this one was ideal," Tobin said. "This one in the 1970s was the very first Portland Stage Co., that was the Profile Theater."
Tobin said they couldn't have found a better location.
"We are in the Old Port, we are within walking distance of so many restaurants, hotels, we've got a parking garage right next to us," he explained Thursday while giving a tour of the new business.
The mask of Bacchus, visible not far from their door, seemed like the final omen.
"Everything fell in, everything just clicked," Caron said.
The stonework mask of Bacchus, according to local lore, was found during the excavation of the Portland Public Library, having once adorned the Elm Theater. It now is a fixture along Temple Street.
"It was the big sign from the theater gods," Tobin quipped.
There's a lighthearted spirit to what Caron and Tobin are attempting. The premier season of Old Port Playhouse leans toward comedies, a choice that was intentional.
"We hit it hard with comedy," Tobin said. "I think people want to laugh right now."
The 2009-2010 season includes: "Sylvia," a comedy about a "middle-aged husband and wife ... and the dog that comes between them"; "The Wizard of Oz"; "A Christmas Carol"; "Greater Tuna," a long running off-Broadway comedy hit; "Almost, Maine," "a funny valentine" for midwinter; "Love, Sex and the IRS," a farce; and "Little Shop of Horrors."
Amid these productions (between "Almost, Maine" and "Love, Sex and the IRS" in the schedule) is "Yours, Anne," the sole serious work, "a haunting and powerful musical based on 'The Diary of Anne Frank,'" famous story of the Jewish girl who endured the Nazi occupation of Europe.
"It's never been done here," Caron said, and again, the scheduling was intentional.
"Spring is when everything was liberated in Germany, and it seemed an appropriate time to do that show," he said.
Tobin will direct the first three shows, and guest directors will be featured in other productions.
Caron and Tobin said they also want Old Port Playhouse to feature an art gallery and what Caron called "a unique and intimate space that will allow you to experience the performances up close and personal." Removable seating will allow space for classes or different seating arrangements for events such as light classical or acoustic concerts, children's shows and business meetings, the duo said.
They plan an eight-week "Players & Puppets" children's performance class for kids ages 6-12 that will allow children to learn about theater while rehearsing for a show they'll present at the end of the course. The first class is Oct. 3, and two performances will conclude the class on Nov. 21.
As a professional theater, the playhouse will complement existing theaters, Caron and Tobin said.
"We're different from Portland Stage, the Good Theater and Mad Horse," Caron said. "They've established their solid foundation in the community, each having produced professional shows for years, and we look forward to supporting their amazing work on stage and off."
Tobin added, "We will only enhance and support the already great theater companies in the area and will encourage our patrons to support all the arts."
Both men have decades of experience in the arts. Tobin said he worked for 28 years in professional theater, Caron has stayed involved with theater off and on for 20 plus years. Caron sang as a tenor and worked in community theater and professional theater.
Domestic partners as well as business partners, Caron and Tobin found themselves separated by work. Tobin was a surgical nurse at a hospital in New Hampshire, while Caron has his own work in Portland.
"We've been living in Dover and here," Caron said. "Four days a week he's been here, and the rest he's been there. Now we're all in one house."
"It was tough, and especially when we came to open up the business, I knew I had to be here," Tobin said.
A medical career was fulfilling, but Tobin said he was excited to come full circle.
"i gave it all up to go back to where my lifeline is, which is theater," he said.
In recent weeks, Caron and Tobin have been busy having a stage built and completing other remodeling. They plan to open their box office on Monday, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m. Initially, they are offering an eight-show "flex pass" — a subscription with eight shows for the price of six — as well as individual tickets.
"Given the state of the economy, we are keeping our prices low so that everyone can enjoy the events we're offering," Caron said.
Individual tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and children.
The city and state have been supportive and helpful, and neighboring businesses have expressed excitement about their arrival, Tobin said. The air-conditioned theater will be open year-round.
"Portland doesn't really have a summer stock theater, so this will give our patrons and Portland's tourists something else to consider for their evening's entertainment," Tobin said.
For information or to buy tickets, email oldportplayhouse@aol.com or call 773-0333 beginning Monday.
