Community Theater Plays and Performances in Walpole, Massachusetts

The "Walpole Footlighters" of Walpole, MA is a local theater group that performs at the Walpole Footlighters Playhouse in Walpole, MA. In general theater is well received in Massachusetts . There are great summer theater venues on the North Shore, South Shore, in the Berkshires and on Cape Cod. Theater enthusiasts can get find lots of professional theater options in Boston throughout the year. But Massachusetts also abounds in local theater companies who work year in and year out to offer quality productions for local audiences at reasonable prices. Such a local theater group is the Walpole Footlighters and their success among Massachusetts local theaters is almost legendary.

From Humble Beginnings . The history of the Walpole Footlighters of Walpole, MA goes back to the wild and woolly times of the 1920's . In 1924 the high school principal in Walpole, MA called together 12 local theater buffs who decided to work together to plan, produce, direct and act in local productions. These twelve called in one additional assistant, a carpenter from a nearby town to help with stage repairs, and together they became known as the "Original Thirteen" . In Massachusetts, one of the original thirteen colonies in the United States, the name had significance and seemed a good omen for success.

In the 1920's plays were performed in all sorts of unusual places. Local theater groups often had to really scrap to come up with a home. The Walpole Footlighters were no exception. In the course of their more than 80 year history, the Walpole Footlighters, community theater in Walpole, MA , performers have found a home for their performances in a variety of local buildings. Earliest performances by the Walpole Footlighters were given in the Walpole Town Hall for the first five years of their history. Then for the next 10 years the group made use of the local high school which they were allowed to use for dress rehearsals and shows.

Eventually the group's director and leader convinced a local citizen to allow the group to make use of a sizable barn which then became home for the Walpole Footlighters until after World War II. Then a little convincing and a lot philanthropy resulted in the donation of a building by a local business concern to the Walpole Footlighters. Finally they had a theater of their own , or at least a building that with a lot of work and some financial assistance they would be capable of turning in to their own theater. Having a their own home theater meant that the group could expand the number of plays they perform each year and extend the days of performance to suit themselves. Matinees could even be offered . This new home became and remains the Walpole Footlighters Playhouse. The humble beginnings of the Walpole Footlighters, Walpole, MA are remembered each year because the town of Walpole has declared that each year April 13 will be celebrated in Walpole as "Walpole Footlighters Day" in perpetuity.

This Year's Offerings. The 2007-2008 production calendar for the Walpole Footlighters in Walpole, MA has been set . All performances will be given at the Walpole Footlighters Playhouse which is located at 4 Scout Rd., East Walpole. The season will kick off on October 19 with a showing of "The Spitfire Grill". This charming story is taken from a film by Lee David Zlotoff and recounts how a young female parolee assists an elderly woman in the lottery sale of her small town grill. This play will be given by the Footlighters on weekend evenings October 19, 20 26,27, and Sept 2 and 3 . Sunday matinees will be held on Sept 28 and Oct. 4.

Occasionally the Walpole Footlighters have had the joy of bringing to the stage original works of some of their own members. Such is the case with this year's foray on stage by local playwright, John Shanahan and his offering "Dinner for Several". The Footlighters have helped to encourage this work by sharing in some live readings of the play in its developmental phases and are now proud to offer it as one of their seasonal pieces. "Dinner for Several" will be performed on February 8,9,15,16, 22,23 in the evening and Sunday matinees will be held on February 17,24.

The final dramatic offering for this theater season by the Walpole Footlighters is entitled "Enchanted Spring" and is a romantic comedy by Matthew Barber. This play offers a view into the lives of two less than satisfied wives and their attempt to find themselves again in a pleasant wisteria surrounded setting. It's fun to have a real live spring setting for a performance called "Enchanted Spring" and so the dates for this performance have been set for May 2,3, 9,10,16,17 with matinees scheduled for May 11 and 18.

With a theater of is own to work with the Walpole Footlighters have often chosen to share additional productions beyond their standard fare. This year besides showing three full scale plays, the Walpole Footlighters will also host two variety presentations. "Comedy Tonight" will be offered on November 16 and 17 and will feature three Boston area comics who will come ready to spread their humor in good taste. The proceeds of this event will go to the Walpole Footlighters Capital Improvement Fund. . Music is in the air and on the stage at the Walpole Footlighters Playhouse on March 15 at 8 p.m. and March 16 at 2 p.m. when audiences will be treated to a sharing of the music of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli and Judy Garland.

There are five great offerings in the coming year and you can enjoy them all at very reasonable prices. Ticket prices for individual shows are $15 for regular performances and $18 for musicals. If you prefer you can purchase a three play subscription for $35 . At this rate one can tell the Walpole Footlighters operate to enjoy theater themselves and to share it with the public. The Walpole Footlighters have been in existence for more than 80 years . When the lights come up on the Walpole Footlighters in 2007-2008 viewers can continue to expect great quality from an accomplished local theater group.

The Walpole Footlighters is a community theater that gets its strength, its manpower and its audience from the local area. Should you wish to join Walpole Footlighters, buy tickets or volunteer you may contact them through their website at www.footlighters.com. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the Walpole Footlighters, Walpole , MA