The Arctic Playhouse facts for kids
The Arctic Playhouse logo
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| Address | 1249 Main Street West Warwick, Rhode Island United States |
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| Type | Community theater |
| Capacity | 90 |
| Opened | 2014 |
| Years active | 4 |
The Arctic Playhouse is a special theater in West Warwick, Rhode Island. It's a non-profit group, which means they use any money they make to put on more plays and improve their theater, not to make a profit for owners. You can find it at 1249 Main Street in a part of town called Arctic, Rhode Island.
Contents
The Story of The Arctic Playhouse
The Arctic Playhouse started from a group called the 'Daydream Theater Company'. This company began in Providence, Rhode Island way back in 2002.
In 2014, the Daydream Theater Company needed a bigger place. They found a great spot in Arctic Village, West Warwick. This new place could seat 90 people. It became the first home for The Arctic Playhouse, which is also known as TAP. TAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This means it's a special kind of group that helps the community through art. The theater has helped bring new life to this old mill village.
Later, TAP needed even more room to grow. They bought the old Maxine's Department Store building at 1249 Main Street. This new building will be much bigger! After a big renovation that will cost about $1.5 million, the theater will have over 200 seats. That's more than double their old space!
The new theater will have two main areas. There will be a large main theater with seats on a balcony. There will also be a smaller "cabaret stage" for shows that are more up close and personal. A long-time supporter named Ida Zecco hosted the very first Cabaret Club show there in April 2019.
When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, many places had to close. But The Arctic Playhouse found a way to keep going! They streamed their performances live online. This helped keep the arts alive, kept actors busy, and allowed them to continue raising money for their new building.
On September 23, 2021, TAP had its first "in-person" show at the new 1249 Main Street location. It was a play called "Murder at the Howard Johnson's." People sat in a special area that could hold 96 guests.
What's Next for The Arctic Playhouse?
Work is still happening to finish the new theater building. The playhouse is raising money to buy equipment and materials. This helps them avoid borrowing money, which is a smart way to build for the future!
Past and Present Shows
The Arctic Playhouse puts on many different kinds of shows each year. They have musicals, comedies, dramas, and special cabaret performances. Here are some of the shows they have planned or have performed recently:
2024 Season
- Legally Blonde The Musical
- The Brothers Grimm
- And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie
- Crimes of the Heart
- One Slight Hitch
- Lone Star Love Potion
- 45 Seconds from Broadway (A New Comedy)
- A Tribute to Tony – Kelley Lennon
- From My Heart, Aloha – Al Lorenzo
- The Pickup Line – Jeanne Collins Crowley
- The New Belters – Nicolas King and Seth Sikes
- A Tribute to Billie and Amy – Frankie Campofelice and Andy Lantz
- Becoming Okay with Being Gay – Krisanthi Pappas
- French Women Don’t Shave and Other Truths Revealed – La Mechante et le Connard
- The Jim and Val Show – Jim Rice and Valerie Sneade-Roy
- Between Yesterday and Tomorrow – Marieann Maringolo
- Autumn in my Soul – Michelle Currie
- A Taste of Thanksgiving – David Rivera Bozon
- A Song for the Season – Ida Zecco and Jim Rice
2022-23 Season
- 39 Steps
- Bedroom Farce
- Don't Dress For Dinner
- Lon Cerel
- Love ... & The IRS
- Miracle on 34th Street
- The Addams Family (outside production)
- The Games A Foot or Holmes For The Holiday
- There's A Burglar In My Bed
- Cabaret:
- Love Notes - The High C's Ocean State Trio
- P.S. I Love You - Kelley Lemon
- Stories of Family Friends and Fun - Krisanthi Pappas
- Art Isn't East - John Abernathy
- Billy and Amy - Frankie Campofelice and Andy Lantz
- Heart Attack! - Michael Hammond
- Cabaret:
