Masterpiece theater

A seemingly small, white building, easily mistaken for a church, that sits on High Street in Arrow Rock, is one of the aspects that makes the village a national historic landmark.

The lawn is decorated with flowers that are firmly planted in pots to keep them from falling down the slight hill. A new sign that reads, “Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre,” hangs above the doors, making people wonder if there really is something inside.

Once inside, people are greeted with photos of past productions throughout the theater’s 49-year history. Double doors lead eager audiences through a hallway and into their seats. The theater lights dim and the black, heavy curtains open, showing off a stage that was built for professional actors.

The Lyceum Theatre was once as a small Baptist church owned by Dr. and Mrs. John Lawrence and Mr. and Mrs. “Red” Argubright. According to the Lyceum Theatre Web site, the church was left vacant in the 1960s and the couples offered to turn the building into a theater. 

The first production, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” was performed on a stage that was 9 feet by 20 feet and with a budget of $3,500 for the entire season.

Steve Bertani, managing director, began working at the Lyceum in 2006. 

“It’s hard to believe a theater like this has survived almost 50 years,” Bertani said.

In 1967, a building fund committee formed to raise money for an expansion. By 1969, $45,000 was raised and the new expansion opened on July 3. 

Jackie Buckley, marketing coordinator for the Lyceum, said only about 120 people could fit in the audience when the theater first opened. Actors would exit through a side door to a building next to the theater to change costumes.

During the 1970s, the Lyceum increased its productions from three per season to six. There was a need for housing for the actors, so the Henry Swanson Hall, named after the first artistic director, Henry Swanson, was built and housed 20 to 25 seasonal cast and crew.

About 10 years later, the Lyceum became the first theater in Missouri to receive an award from the Missouri Arts Council.

Quin Gresham, artistic director, is in his fifth season with the Lyceum. He has been working at the theater for about 10 years. 

“You just breathe easier in Arrow Rock,” Gresham said.

Arrow Rock has a population of 79, but Gresham said it is probably even less than that. The theater is one of the main economic resources for the community. 

“The town in and of itself is one of the most unique things in Missouri,” he said.

The 1990s brought much-needed change to the theater, including an expanded stage and seating for more than 400. Until now, shows were performed on a rotating schedule, where a different show would play each night. Gresham and Bertani decided to change to a stock setup. 

In 1993, a studio was built behind the theater in which to build sets; elements from past plays still linger in the building as crew members work on upcoming performances.

The expanded costume room holds elaborate apparel and the dressing rooms are brightly lit with big bulbs lining the mirrors. 

“It’s certainly every bit as good as you would see in Kansas City or St. Louis,” Buckley said.

In the past four years, Bertani’s and Gresham’s work with professional actors from across the U.S. has paid off.

“We have quite a reputation in New York,” Buckley said.

The Lyceum Theatre is a nonprofit organization; Bertani said 60 percent of its revenue comes from ticket sales, with the rest from grants or donations. 

The first year Bertani worked with theater, attendance was at about 40 percent capacity. In 2008, the theater was at 70 percent capacity. 

“We’ve seen an increase in attendance each year,” Bertani said, noting that about 24,000 people visited last year.

And with that increase in attendance has come an increase in the quality of the productions, Bertani said.

“It’s going to be the people that keep the Lyceum going for years to come,” Bertani said.

This week, the Lyceum Theatre’s cast and crew are preparing for opening night of “Hairspray”  on June 3. 

LYCEUM THEATRE 2009 SEASON

“Hairspray,” June 3-13

“Annie,” June 19-28

“Hello, Dolly!” July 8-18

“You Can’t Take it With You,” July 25-Aug. 1

“The Diary of Anne Frank,” Aug. 8-15

“Nunsense,” Aug. 22-30

“Sleuth,” Sept. 5-12

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” Nov. 14-22

For information about times and ticket prices, visit the Lyceum Theatre Web site at www.lyceumtheatre.org or call, 660-837-3311.