The community playhouse in Albany’s South End is celebrating a milestone achievement this month.
“Yes, we are celebrating our 60th year of operations- 50 of them at our Second Avenue home,” said Albany Civic Theater President Margaret King. “We will be doing a Cabaret night and hope to draw back some of our former actors, directors, subscribers and supporters as we pay tribute to some of the best musicals ever done in the area. We were very well known for our musicals.”
The converted firehouse has been the staple to the neighborhood’s arts and entertainment for more than half a century, going back to the days Democrat party boss Dan O’Connell called the area home.
The theater opened its doors in February 1955, when Marion Karczmar directed Blithe Sprit, according to the theater’s website. The theater was formed when The Ilium Players of Troy joined with the Albany Dramatic Group. The theatre moved from Beaver Street once the Empire State Plaza was planned for construction.
“We have some of our original performers from the early ‘60s, and later, returning to reprise their stuff,” said King.
“Bells are Ringing”, “Gypsy”, “Man of LaMancha”, “Cabaret” and “Kiss Me Kate” are only some of the productions already scheduled for the upcoming months.
For more information, please visit Albanycivictheater.org.
