Like so many performing arts centers, 51 Walden was forced to cancel or postpone most of its spring calendar due to the Covid-19 quarantine. As a modest consolation for performers, supporters, and devotees of this great local gathering place, we've put together this short video playlist. It includes both highlights of previous 51 Walden events and other performers' renditions of works originally scheduled to appear at 51 Walden this past spring.
Click
here to view - choose the entire list or play segment by segment.
And what's more, for the remainder of quarantine, we will be featuring Concord Players members performing songs/scenes of their choice from the safety of their home. Our first feature is Craig Howard, long-time board member and head of our PDSC!
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On May 23, 2020, long-time Concord Players member Bob Peters, 91, passed away in his sleep. A complicated but highly talented man, he contributed his skills to the Players for almost seven decades. He claimed that at the age of 10, he was introduced to the theatre when his father "dragged him along to build sets." In his prime, his expertise at woodworking found its way into the design and construction of at least a dozen Players sets.
In 1972 he put forth the idea of adding a set-construction workshop onto the rear of 51 Walden. He wrote and submitted detailed structural and cost proposals for the project, and they were swiftly approved. He almost single-handedly built the shop himself.
Bob acted in more than two dozen Players productions. He always displayed a powerful presence on stage. Referring to their work together in
The Music Man, John Hutchins called Bob's portrayal of Marcellus Washburn "funny, charming, rascally, and spot-on with the music." Also remarkable, from the play
1776, was Bob's performance as the often-inebriated Stephen Hopkins. The pinnacle of his career came at the age of 77 with his final role: his deeply moving portrayal of Joe Keller in
All My Sons.
In real life, he was the father of three beloved children, a fancier of Labrador retrievers, and an insurance salesman. He was his happiest when making fine furniture in the woodstove-heated workshop he constructed behind his own West Concord home.
Bob leaves his two sons, Alec and Rob Peters, and his daughter, Whitney Foster. The family asks that contributions in his memory be made to Concord Players, P.O. Box 22, Concord, MA 01742.
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The Town of Concord, taking guidance from the CDC and Town Health Departments is making plans to reopen the Visitor Center as soon as it is safe to do so. New procedures will be in place to provide for the safest environment for both staff and patrons. We are actively promoting all the fun outdoor activities there are in Concord. It is essential to our mental and physical health to be outdoors and there are lots of ways to be socially distant while doing so. All our trails and parks are now open to the public and everyone is encouraged to take advantage and spread out. We have launched a virtual Concord to Concord challenge found
here - it's a great way to be outdoors and earn a prize too!
The new
Visit Concord website went live in April and has many exciting ideas for what to do while visiting. We have lots of data indicating that local tourists will be the first to return and we are eager to welcome them back!
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Due to the pandemic, several of our Centennial events will be rescheduled for later this year
. Please stay tuned for updates!
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We want to hear your story. What has this time been like for you? Please share your experience with us as we source material for a new piece of theater by our community and for our community. You are free to keep your submission anonymous. Please email
[email protected].
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A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
My Fellow Players,
As we transition into the new normal, we are all looking to find the best ways to refresh and renew ourselves and find solace and entertainment in the venues we have always been most comfortable with. We are, however, faced with the need to establish different social contracts with each other, recognizing that the health and safety of not only our immediate loved ones, but also those around us, are now inexorably intertwined. The theater is by default one of the most intimate spaces we can inhabit, and we are faced with logistical problems that , although not insurmountable, certainly are challenging. As a community based theater organization our primary charter is to provide high quality theatrical productions of various types that will entertain, educate and stimulate both participants and audiences. During our hiatus, we will continue to provide you with access to the best quality theatrical entertainment that we can, and are in the process of evaluating how we can best serve you, our constituents and the community at large.
With that in mind, please make sure that you visit our
website for links to the many great professional performances that Carol and Mike were able to curate for your enjoyment. Also, I think you may find a few "Easter eggs" scattered in the newsletter as well. So, for all you Damien Lewis fans, a little
"Friends, Romans, Countrymen" fun!
Pending additional directives from the governor's office, we are still planning on presenting live outdoor performances of Shakespeare's
As You Like It which will occur later in the summer. We will have further updates regarding the coming season by next month and rest assured that everyone's comfort and welfare will be paramount in our deliberation. In the meantime, enjoy the summer that is finally upon us!
--Jay Newlon, President
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A continued BIG SHOUT-OUT to Carol Antos and Mike Lague for providing you, our avid audience, more ways of enjoying remote theatre.
"If I can't even remember what day of the week it is, how can I possibly remember which play/musical/opera/concert is available for free online tonight?"
Good news - you'll find the answer on The Concord Players
website! We've developed a one-stop guide organized for your viewing pleasure, featuring offerings from the West End, Lincoln Center, Broadway, Boston theatres, and more! Just click on our logo and enjoy.
"If every auditorium were razed to the ground, theatre would still survive, because the hunger in each of us to act and be acted to, is genetic. This intense hunger even crosses the threshold of sleep. For we direct, perform, and witness performances every night - theatre cannot die before the last dream has been dreamt."
--Declan Deonnellan
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UPCOMING EVENTS AT 51 WALDEN
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In compliance with Governor Baker's order on May 18th, 51 Walden remains closed; all events of the residence groups through June have been cancelled or postponed. Please check our Events page for current information.
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