OBT History
Although the "OBT Thespians" group have only been on throne since 1994, the actual Theater (On Broadway Theater) pre-dates that by nearly 30 years.
In 1979 the area's first silent movie & intimate live theater, the On Broadway Film Society, and the Dolphin Players theatrical troupe, began and took shape in the careful hands of Larry & Tosca Means, Kit Lewis, Randy Ullom, Ross Klooster, and Betty Bingham. Showing old classic films, they ran the gamut from Laurel & Hardy to Ingmar Bergman, from John Wayne to Buster Keaton. Perhaps most memorable were the Silent Movie audiences who were treated to the wonderful live musical accompaniments of the late Don Loftus. In addition to old movie classics, On Broadway also dabbled in live entertainment sprinkled inbetween films, ranging from talented musical guests (solo guitarists, folksingers, local choirs and Dixieland Bands) to theater improv, poetry readings, belly dancing, pantomine, and even full blown musicals. It was a time of wonderful local talent showcases!
Then slowly over the years, one by one the core members left to pursue other venues, leaving Tosca Means to trade in those old classic movie projectors for the power of the small intimate stage. Thus the On Broadway Theater sprouted wings and lined its nest. Whether drama or comedy, musicals or children's theater, the quality & scope of this small stage to be able to reach its audience has been nothing short of phenonemal. Perhaps one of the many reasons why OBT was approached in 1999 about hosting acting classes for the Alternative Youth Activity (youth at risk) programs, funded by the Oregon Arts Commission.
OBT has seen its share of in-house Theater core groups stream through its lobby the past few years, beginning with the Dolphin Players, then PACT (Playwrights American Conservatory Theater), and eventually the On Broadway Thespians core group.
In the Fall of 2006, the building that housed the On Broadway Thespians changed hands and thus the group ultimately lost it's lease and had to face the prospect of relocation. The first move was across the street to the old Egyptian Theatre movie house that had been vacant for some time until another group (ETPA or Egyptian Theatre Preservation Assoc) got involved. The idea was to renovate and turn an old historic building worth saving into a productive performing arts center for the entire community. Inviting the On Broadway Thespians to relocate there as the first Live Theatre resident group seemed like a natural fit, as was wanting to show old classic films (movies). In addition, ETPA wanted to also offer a myraid of other performing arts such as music, dance, and other local events.
Five OBT productions were staged there, but ultimately the lack of green room (dressing rooms) and prop storage areas in addition to set lighting proved problematic, and so the theater group started looking elsewhere for more permanent digs. Sadly, the Egyptian would end up with their own building renovation woes just another three years later, and having to close.
In 2008, OBT added a second venue to their new nomadic venture, Dinner Theater, at Stray Katz/Genevieve's (formerly Gussies) Restaurant in the downtown Empire district of Coos Bay. Again, five more productions of various genre plays were tried there, and once more, lack of stage size and adequate lighting, coupled with green room/dressing room woes further compounded everyone's frustrations. Parents were nervous about letting their children be in a play that was running next door to a bar. Play attendance sank to an all time low.
OBT then decided to experiment staging another children's play over at the Pony Village Mall. Since there had been another theater troupe there previously, it was hoped that such a public venue could support having us there as well. Sadly, it did not. Set problems, lighting problems, lack of green room ammenities, and low play attendance once again played a role in holding OBT back. With operating funds at an all time low, and no permanent home in sight, OBT went into hiatus for nearly two years.
2011 will mark their first year back into the performance sunlight, with a comedy piece to be staged over at Little Theatre On the Bay, a friendly rival troupe with many cross ties to one another.
(For additional OBT historical reference, don't forget to check out the special Memorials section.)
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