Cider Mill Playhouse facts for kids
Front entrance to theatre
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| Formation | 1976 |
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| Dissolved | 2017 |
| Type | Theatre group |
| Purpose | Professional Equity house |
| Location | |
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Artistic director(s)
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Gail King Belokur |
| Website | CiderMillPlayhouse.com |
The Cider Mill Playhouse in Endicott, New York, was a professional theater producing comedies, dramas and musicals. It was a member of the Theatre Communications Group. and operated as a Small Professional Theatre, Level 5, by annual contract with Actors' Equity Association.
History
In the early 1970s, Binghamton University (then known as "SUNY B") professor and soon to be theater department chairman, Dr. John Bielenberg sought to expand the theater department venue to an off-campus site, first, to enhance "town-gown" presence, and second, and most important, to give the department's students more opportunities to practice and hone their craft.
In 1991, after funding from the university was withdrawn, Cider Mill Playhouse incorporates as a 501c3 charitable organization which it remains today.
After operating as a semi-professional theater for many years, Cider Mill Playhouse became an "Equity house" professional theater as of December 21, 2015 under the artistic leadership of Gail King Belokur.
Facility
Dr. Bielenberg and his colleagues found The Cider Mill, an apple warehouse on South Nanticoke in the Village of Endicott. After some discussions, Mill owner Orlando Ciotoli agreed and, on a handshake, the Playhouse was launched.
Productions
Early Productions
Early productions included Company, Sleuth, Night Must Fall, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Of Mice and Men, Whose Life Is It Anyway, Da, Agnes of God, South Pacific, A Raisin in the Sun, Equus, The Last meeting of the Knights of the White Magnolia, and others. "The professional nature of the theater was all important to us," recalled Dr. John Bielenberg, now-retired BU Theater Department Chairman. "The students were able to work with the professionals, whom we hired as actors and directors, in an atmosphere that they would find in their theater careers."
A Christmas Carol
Cider Mill mounts an annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Starting in 1982, Cider Mill Playhouse produced its own musical version of the story which was copyrighted by founder John Bielenberg. After many years and revisions, the final version of this production was produced in 2015. Beginning in 2016, a new adaptation was produced to address copyright issues that had developed. This version expanded the cast to include a combination of paid professionals and a volunteer community ensemble, which embodies the commitment Cider Mill Playhouse to continue work by professionals while providing opportunities for community theatre involvement.
Final Season: 2016-17
When In Carthage By Santino DeAngelo Directed by Tim Mollen September 15 - October 2
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery By Ken Ludwig Directed by Craig MacDonald October 27 - November 13
The Importance of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde Directed by Tom Kremer January 26 - February 12
Peter and the Starcatcher Directed by Norm Johnson March 9 - 26
The Drowsy Chaperone Directed by Lee Byron June 1 - 19
Pump Boys and the Dinettes Directed by Gail King Belokur August 3 - 19
