- By Simrat Applebaum
- Around Town
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Peter Flynn, Artistic Director, announced a few of the artists that will be joining the Hangar this summer.
The role of Mae West/Joe in the first show of the season, Dirty Blonde, will be performed by actress Emily Skinner who received a Tony Award nomination for her role in Side Show. On Broadway, Skinner has performed in The Full Monty, Jekyll & Hyde, and James Joyce's The Dead.
Hangar Board of Trustees President Mary Kane Trochim
honored past President Paula Peter with a gift
The role of the unpopular president Charles Smith in the hilarious November will be played by Wally Dunn. Dunn's Broadway credits include Gypsy, Spamalot, and All Shook Up; Movie credits include The Good Shephard, The Manchurian Candidate, and School of Rock; Television credits include Law & Order and Law & Order SVU.
Hangar alum Jennifer Caprio will be joining the Hangar again this summer as the Costume Designer for November and the surprise Broadway musical TBA. On Broadway, Caprio designed the costumes for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Reflecting on 2008, Lisa Bushlow, Executive Director, said the Mainstage season's diversity, educational outreach, launch of a Capital Campaign, and the hiring of Artistic Director Peter Flynn made 2008 an extraordinary year.
Shelley Semmler, Co-Chair of the Hangar For All Seasons Capital Campaign Committee announced that 75% of the $4.6 million Capital Campaign goal has been raised by the community to date. Facility renovations are planned to begin in September 2009 and be completed before the summer season opens in June 2010.
Hangar Board and staff honored several individuals whose enthusiasm and unwavering support has greatly contributed to the life of the Hangar Theatre. Hangar Artistic Assistant Franklin Killian was honored with The Agda Osborn Award for his unwavering support of the Hangar Theatre artistic team. Killian is a young actor/director who put his own artistic career on hold as he volunteered with Lab Company recruitment and local casting.
The Philanthropic Angel Award was presented to Board member Shelley Semmler for her enthusiastic and passionate leadership as a donor, Development Committee Chair, and Co-Chair of the Hangar for All Seasons Community Campaign Committee. Past Board President Paula Peter said that Semmler has demonstrated through her own example what it means to stretch to give a gift that transforms the Hangar, transforms the donor, and inspires others to do the same.
The Erin Aljoe Schlather Inspiration Award, in memory of the young local actress it is named for, was presented to 13 year old actress Chunmei McKernan for her exuberance and enthusiasm as a long time member of the Next Generation School of Theatre and for her outstanding performance in Les Misérables: School Edition last summer.
Songs from Once on This Island as well as other Broadway tunes were performed by guest singers from Ithaca College, Pace University and New York City. Mark Fifer, the musical director for the Hangar's 2009 surprise Broadway musical, guest musical directed the musical performance.
The Hangar Theatre Board of Trustees voted in new and renewing Board of Trustees members and celebrated the life of Bobbie Morse and Connie Reps, who were active volunteers who were committed to the Hangar Theatre throughout their lives in Ithaca.
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