Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

We've had some dramatic clouds pass through over the recent weeks and I was fortunate to be in town to capture these images of the Spire Center for Performing Arts in downtown Plymouth.



Their website says, "The Greater Plymouth Performing Arts Center, Inc. (GPPAC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and dedicated to performing arts and educational programs which support the vibrant arts community in the greater South Shore region. The organization founded The Spire, a venue to serve as a mecca for the arts and showcasing music, theatre and dance performances as well as education that supports the performing arts.



Tremendous acoustics, sightlines, and an architecturally beautiful interior are The Spire’s trademark. The 225-seat performance hall features superior acoustics, custom state of the art lighting and sound systems and original period architectural details offering patrons an exceptional performing arts experience."

I have enjoyed many performances there over the past year. Some of my posts about those experiences are at this link.

"The structure was formerly a Methodist church built in 1886 and later the Congregation Beth Jacob’s community center. In October 2012, the Plymouth Town Meeting voted overwhelmingly to appropriate $650K in Community Preservation Funds to acquire and renovate the building. The Town of Plymouth has graciously entrusted GPPAC with the building, now widely known as “The Spire”, with a 100 year near free lease of their treasured property. GPPAC supports the commitment of the Community Preservation Committee in ensuring The Spire’s preservation for future generations."(Source: Spire website).

Support the performing arts here in Plymouth or, wherever you may live in the world.

"Quinn Sullivan," Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

It was a perfect evening for musical magic at Plymouth's Spire Center for Performing Arts.



The sound checks are complete, and soon blues guitarist Quinn Sullivan will take the stage. I have never been a rabid blues fan like many of the patrons here tonight but, this young man made a believer out of me.



I have seen many musicians perform over the course of my life. Among them all, I don't think I have ever heard one at so young an age demonstrate such incredible artistry and mastery over his instrument. Such is the case with New Bedford, Massachusetts, phenom Quinn Sullivan.



Invited to play onstage with blues legend Buddy Guy and BB King starting when he was only seven, Quinn is clearly a prodigy of extraordinary talent and now a 20-year old young man.



Quinn, jammin' with his bass guitarist.







Anytime you hear someone's name mentioned in the same breath with BBKing, Buddy Guy, and Eric Clapton, you know that he is someone very special.







A full house of enthusiastic supporters.







The Spire crowd was delighted beyond words and throughout the show provided spontaneous standing ovations. It was one of those shows you might wait a lifetime to experience - and apparently he does this regularly! When he comes around next year, I'll be sure to see him.

"What If: The Secrets Musicals Have Kept From You," A Reading, Priscilla Beach Theatre, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT) Owners, Guardians and Producers, Bob and Sandy Malone, recently brought a special one-off performance to the Barn Stage: "What If: The Secrets Musicals Have Kept From You."

"This performance at PBT is a reading. What is a reading? A reading is when a new play is presented for the first time to an audience. The actors hold the scripts in their hands and there are no scenery, costumes, or props. Based on how the test audience reacts, the author will make changes to the script. The hope being that the reading is so strong that the script will then be presented at a theater for a full production. PBT audiences will be the first to see a reading of this show outside of New York." 

"This bright new musical from Peter Filichia takes a look at what happens to musical theater's most favorite characters AFTER the curtain comes down. In 90 hysterical minutes, the audiences will discover what happened to such characters as Tony and Maria from West Side Story, Max and Leo from The Producers, Curly and Laurie in Oklahoma, and so many more." (Source: PBT)

Produced by: Bob and Sandy Malone
Director: Rob Schneider
Music Director: Christopher Ricci
Sound Engineer: Kyle Robinson

The following images were captured live during the only full rehearsal and are generally in order of occurrence. Unlike a regular production where rehearsals are held for a few weeks, the cast had very few hours of preparation before the audience came to observe.

Cast members hail from many parts of the country and bring their extraordinary talents to this venerable theatre, some as first-timers, and some have performed here before. These nineteen folks will soon appear in the production of "Hairspray," which opens on the Barn Stage on July 5th for a fourteen performance run.

(Click on an image for a higher resolution version if your device supports that action).




























































































































































Come out and see "Hairspray" at PBT opening July 5th and see and hear these wonderful young performers sharing their art with us! Contact PBT online at this link or by phone at 508-224-4888 for tickets.



The Barn Stage, a 240-seat venue, is in its 82nd season and is cited as the oldest summer stock barn theatre still operating in America. The original barn was built in 1875. The current owners, Bob and Sandy Malone, completed a modernization and renovation effort in 2014-15 and also installed new seats and new state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems at that time.

2019 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Adult Cast Series

"Life Could Be A Dream" in May,
"Heathers the Musical" in June,
"Hairspray" in July,
"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" in August,
"[Title of Show]" in September,
"Young Frankenstein" in October.

2019 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Children's Workshop Series

"Seussical Jr" in May,
"Godspell, Jr" in July,
"Junie B. Jones, Jr" in July,
"Little Red Robin Hood" in August,
"Frozen Jr" in August

2020 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Adult Cast Series

"Sisters of Swing" in May,
"She Loves Me" in June,
"Mamma Mia" in July,
"Spamalot" in August,
"25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" in September,
"The Addams Family" in October.

Past PBT performances at this link.

Support the performing arts in our community or, wherever you live in the world!