A Thriving Theater Scene

Theatre in Wilmington, NC, is outstanding, thanks to numerous talented theater companies. One of the oldest is the Opera House Theatre Company, which has been performing since 1985. Now in the midst of its 26th season, Opera House is presenting outstanding musicals including Annie,  Man of LaMancha and The King and I. When you can see wonderful productions for about the price of a burger and a beer in New York City, you know you’re blessed to live or visit here.

Opera House was founded by Lou Criscuolo, one of those rare individuals who was a New York actor born in New York. He trained at The Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg and Elia Kazan and performed in Broadway productions including Man of La Mancha and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Criscuolo came to Wilmington to do a play at Thalian Hall after a renovation, and has been here since.

Red Barn Studio

Actress Linda Lavin and her husband Steve Bakunas opened the Red Barn Studio on 3rd Street in 2007, a combination art studio, theater and venue for art, acting and music classes. Ms. Lavin, born in Portland, Maine, made her way to New York City after graduating from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. She performed in numerous Broadway productions, winning excellent reviews in both dramatic and musical roles. She won a Tony award in Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound in 1977 and was nominated for three other Tony awards along the way. She is perhaps best known to the public for her starring role in the television show Alice, for which she earned two Golden Globe Awards as well as an Emmy nomination.

Ms. Lavin and Mr. Bakunas, who married in 2005, now live in Wilmington where they are tremendous boosters of downtown, the theater and the arts. The productions staged thus far at Red Barn Studio have been very well received. In early 2009, Driving Miss Daisy, starring Ms. Lavin in the title role, was scheduled from February 12 to April 3. Although the run of the play was extended and extended and extended since so many wanted to see it, all performances still sold out. Those of us who were lucky enough to garner seats were treated to a wonderful evening in the theater, with outstanding performances not only from Ms. Lavin, but by Maxwell Paige and Jason Hatfield as well.

Ms. Lavin continues to wow audiences and critics in New York also where she once again has earned nominations for a Tony Award.