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Strip the Tibbits
What's under the Brick?
Restoring Our Treasure
On Tuesday, September 21, we recognized the 128th anniversary of the opening of Tibbits Opera House. Barton Tibbits told his opening night guests he wished to present to them the finest opera house in the nation for a city the size of Coldwater.
We used the anniversary to introduce our slogan "Strip the Tibbits" and announce we are $162,000 away from our $1 million mark. We introduced Tom Roberts, the architect hired to complete the façade and recognized the single largest benefactor to the restoration to date, Lucille and Dallas Dearth, who wished to remain anonymous until her death earlier this year.
Ken Delaney and Mary Smith, co-chairs on the campaign acknowledged several significant new gifts which have brought us closer to our goal. We are grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Robert Browne who made a $25,000 gift, Oak Prairie Farms, owned by Ron and Melody Hostetler and Brian and Nancy Nunemaker who pledged $25,000, additional new pledges and gifts came from Georgann Reppert, the Nunemakers and the Mary Cross Tippmann Foundation.
The immediate goal of $1,000,000 represents 100 percent of the match required for the Federal Scenic Byways grant of $500,000. Once the mark is hit, fundraising will continue, but work will begin with the removal of the current façade to reveal the original brick. This is a necessary step to evaluate true conditions, determine the final details and drawings for full restoration and confirm the final fundraising goal. We will have to live with temporary protection on the façade through this final review process. Then we will start putting the fresh face on the old treasure.
Can you feel how close we are? To make a donation, volunteer on the campaign or find out more, contact Christine Delaney at Tibbits at 517-278-6029. |
Start hunting season with a laugh, even if you've never hunted.
Escanaba in da Moonlight, the hilarious Yooper, deer camp comedy opens Tibbits Entertainment Series on October 15 and 16. Tibbits professional company brings together Jeff Daniels' entertaining script, the comic directing talents of Charles Burr, and a great cast of comic actors and turns them into outrageous laughs.
In the story, the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family's Upper Peninsula camp. Thirty-five-year-old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. In a hunting story to beat all hunting stories, Escanaba in da Moonlight spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book.
The cast includes Summer Theatre alum Alan Elliott (Arsenic and Old Lace), Hilary Anthony (Desperate Hours) and Dennis McKeen (Room Service). Joining them are John Payonk, Ian Russell and Ben Lee Jackson.
According to Charles, this is the most requested play for Tibbits Professional Summer Theatre to produce. He says, "I love directing farce and comedy, and our string of high energy productions such as Room Service, Run For Your Wife and Leading Ladies have proven to be audience favorites. I have a great cast of funny people--always a good start. As rehearsals commence, we will be pulling out the yooper accents, creating some Sweet Sap whiskey and figuring out how to eat moose testicles after being doused in porcupine piss. Really."
The show is PG-13 for language and situations. Tickets are $26, $24 for members and $15 for students. To order them go to Buy Tickets. |
 | | Brian Sage & his "magic foot" |
Summer Theatre
What do YOU think?
Whew! What a summer season. Rave reviews for all of our shows, a great company of actors, designers, directors and technical staff, and a great show of support from our community. Warm weather and stable gas prices brought people to the lakes, and a desire to forget their troubles and be entertained brought them to the theatre. Still tallying the details but once again a large share of our audience came from outside Branch County. Our local attendance was up and we had a great loyal following of people who came to more than one performance.
The dust has not even settled and already we're planning for next summer. We would really like to have your input on shows, so if you could take 3-1/2 minutes and complete the survey, maybe you'll see one of your requests on next year's schedule. SurveyFeel free to forward the link to others you know who are interested in theatre. (Please note, the survey allows only one submission per email address.)
See photos from the 2010 season Photos
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 Tropical Extravaganza Auction
Aloha! Tibbits sets sail on a "Tropical Extravaganza" for this year's Auction. We're going coconuts on Saturday, November 6, 2010 with a treasure chest of donations up for bid. Join the fun and be a part of this great party and our main fundraising event of the year.
Tibbits volunteers are gathering donations of goods and services and once again the list offers something for everyone. The silent auction begins in the art gallery at 6 pm. The live auction takes to the stage at 8 pm. Food, beverages, and decorations will all reflect our fun and fanciful "Tropical Extravaganza."
Save the date, gather some friends and dig out that Hawaiian shirt! |
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Calendar of Events
Miss-ter Coldwater Pageant
Coldwater Jaycees
Sept. 25, 6pm Art Gallery Reception Part of Coldwater Art Walk Arts ALive Oct. 1, 5-8pm
"Holes"
Branch County Comm Theatre
Oct. 7, 9, 7pm; Oct. 10, 2pm
"Escanaba in da Moonlight"
Tibbits Entertainment Series
Oct. 15, 2 & 8p; Oct. 16, 8pm "Miracle in Mudville" Tibbits Young Audiences Sponsored by Coldwater Kiwanis Oct. 28, 29, 7pm; Oct 30, 2pm Tibbits Annual Auction "Tropical Extravaganza" Nov. 6, Silent auction 6pm; Live auction 8pm
You can also see the Branch County Community Calendar for other events in the area at Community Calendar |
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Entertainment!
Patrizio Buanne the singing sensation from Italy gave an exciting performance, Tuesday, September 21! The audience loved him and he loved Tibbits and Coldwater. More than once he exclaimed from stage, "I want to come back; please, bring me back!" |
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Wish List
Auction donations, small generator, ticket printer, garment steamer, grand piano, copy paper, small copier, shop exhaust fans, volunteers with computer design and social networking skills.
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Dancing Celebrities
Tibbits Boosters raised over $7000 and honored the winning dance team of Mary Gail Stevens and Al Cockrell at the third annual "Dancing with the Celebrities" held September 11.
Eight other couples also danced their way across the stage to benefit Tibbits: Bridgett Taylor and Don Hicks, Louise and Al LeVeque, Kate and Kirk Bell, Carrie Steele and Ethan Oberlin, Dawn Gallup and Randy Wolfe, Amy and Al Fenner, Rhonda Ives and Mike Brooks, and Kay Riegel and Wade Adams. The audience of over 400 enjoyed themselves, cheered, applauded and cast their dollar votes while they watched the Samba, the Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Mambo, and Rumba. The evening also featured champion professional dancers, Vernetta and Bob Harrison.
Congratulations to all the dancers and thank you to all who voted. Great job. |
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What Your Dollars Do
You can make a crucial difference in Tibbits' success by becoming a member of the Tibbits Opera Foundation. We rely on the generosity of our members to sustain the daily operations of the theatre and to bring quality entertainment at affordable prices.
As a member you can feel good about providing children live theatre experiences, about nourishing the dreams of aspiring performers, of maintaining a treasured piece of history, of helping the local economy and in benefiting the quality of life in our region.
As a member you can earn the privilege of attending many Tibbits events at a discounted rate or receiving first option to purchase tickets.
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