Archive: Arts & Entertainment

The Hangar Theatre welcomes legendary local actress LaVerne Light for a very special event-An Afternoon of Theatre with La. Light will once again grace the Hangar's Niederkorn Stage on Sunday, August 24 at 4:00 pm for a special theatrical reading directed by the Hangar's Interim Artistic Director Robert Moss. The reading will be followed by a question and answer session with Moss and Light.

LaVerne Misner Light, or "La" to her family and friends, was born into a family of performers in Niagara Falls, New York. From her stage debut at the age of seven, it was clear she was destined for a life in the arts. When she saw a professional production of Hedda Gabler at the age of thirteen, LaVerne's lifelong love for theatre was ignited. La soon brought this passion to Ithaca College where she studied speech and drama.

After graduating in 1942, LaVerne remained in Ithaca with her husband and four sons and amidst a career in arts and education continued to appear on stages across the country from California to Maine. She even performed in radio, television and film, playing Dr. Mansfield in the 1970s cult classic UFO Target Earth. Throughout her travels and the span of her career, La has always made Ithaca her artistic home. She has appeared numerous times on the many stages that this town has to offer, including Cornell University (The Hostage, The Misanthrope, Right are You), The Kitchen Theatre Company (Road to Mecca), and Ithaca's Central Casting (‘night Mother).

Over the course of eighteen years, La appeared in twelve different plays at the Hangar. She thrilled critics and captivated audiences in an array of productions from modern British comedy as Delia in Bedroom Farce to the complex war-time relationships of Fifth of July as Sally Talley. La performed in multiple shows in a single summer on three occasions. In 1984 this meant opening productions of the European royalty drama Lion in Winter as Queen Eleanor and the Broadway musical comedy Damn Yankees as Sister in a span of only two weeks.

It was not only the quality of theatre that drew La to the Hangar; there was something bigger than actors and audience. In her words, "the Hangar Theatre is not only a wonderful stage to perform on, but as an actress there I have always been surrounded by wonderful people. It is a community theatre in every sense." The artistic staff of the theatre had a mutual admiration for LaVerne. Robert Moss, who is directing this special performance, not only directed La in multiple productions and served as Artistic Director for nine of her ten seasons at the Hangar, but also starred alongside her in the 1994 production of Lost in Yonkers. In all of these capacities he was taken aback by LaVerne's talent and veracity, he notes: "La's integrity is so forceful. It ignites and inspires all those working with her."

It has been twelve years since LaVerne last appeared at the Hangar Theatre in I Hate Hamlet and almost three since her last stage appearance in The Christmas Carol at the State Theatre. In 2007 she was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Ithaca College. About the upcoming event at the Hangar, she says, "I'm thrilled to be doing this. It gives me a chance to remind myself and the community about all of the wonderful time that I have spent in that theatre."

La's first role at the Hangar Theatre was Abby Brewster in the 1978 production of Arsenic and Old Lace. Despite breaking her foot and three bones in her elbow just days before opening, La did what she knew best, stepped on stage and acted despite her injuries. After that performance, a reviewer said, "LaVerne Light is not only a trouper, she's an actress of rare ability whom we delight to honor." At the ripe age of 91 years old, La is still a trouper, an immensely talented actress and a woman of the highest caliber that the Hangar Theatre is delighted to honor with this special event.

An Afternoon of Theatre with La will take place at the Hangar Theatre in Cass Park on Sunday, August 24 at 4:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

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