Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre
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The Open Air Theatre in Washington Crossing State Park in the Titusville section of Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, is a permanent outdoor venue with a six-month summer seasonand has hosted a variety of performances, including musicals, plays, concerts, and dance recitals. The venue is available for use by submitting a special use application to the Park Office.[1]
The theatre was built in 1935 as part of the New Deal's Works Progress Administration (WPA) programme.[2] It was designed by architect Aymar Embury II, who also designed the Cape May Point State Park Lighthouse and the New Jersey State Capitol Annex.[3]
From 2010–2017, the venue was leased by the Downtown Performing Arts Center (DPAC).[4][5] The company have now moved indoors and rebranded as the Music Mountain Theatre.[5] The company has no intentions of coming back,[5] and the theatre has remained closed and abandoned since.[6]
Early History (1935-Late 1900s)
As part of the Federal Theatre Project the theatre was constructed in 1935.[2] Architect Aymar Embury II was responsible for its design.[3]
Downtown Performing Arts Center (2010–2017)
Founded in 2001 by Virginia 'Ginny' Brennan, Downtown Performing Arts Center moved into the Open Air Theatre for the summer of 2010.[5] The company was led by Co-Artistic Directors Louis Palena and Jordan Brennan.[5] During their eight-year tenure, the company produced over 50 productions. Amongst these were numerous World Premieres, written by playwright Louis Palena.[5] In addition to their extensive list of "Mainstage" productions, the company ran a parallel programme of "Children's Theatre" shows, which were produced in a week and performed for two weekends.[5]
"Mainstage" Production History included:
- The Legend of Sleep Hollow [World Premiere] (2012)[7]
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2016)[8]
- an annual production of a concert called "Stars 'n Stripes"[9]
- the Wizard of Oz (2017) "An Open Air Theatre tradition"[10]
"Children's Theatre" Production History included:
- Sleeping Beauty [World Premiere] (2016)[9]
Curtain Up! Productions
Due to the difficulties experienced with the weather they soon began looking for a new indoor venue.[5] In November 2013, the company founded Curtain Up Productions Inc. to fund the creation of a new theatre.[11] The two organisations worked together to fund indoor performances during the off season away from the park, including DPAC's annual performance of A Christmas Carol.[12]
Production History included:
- A Christmas Carol (annual)[12]
- Rapunzel (2015)[13]
- Charlie Brown Christmas (2016)[12]
Recent History (since 2017)
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Downtown Performing Arts Center has since relocated indoors and changed its name to the Music Mountain Theatre.[5] The theatre has been "dark" and deserted ever since, though it is accessible to the public via footpaths and the original car park.[6]
References
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External links
- Back to the Beginning - Just Upstage of Downtown (S1E1): a Podcast History of Music Mountain Theatre & Downtown Performing Arts Center
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