For Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach, 'The Game's Afoot' | News | hometownnewsvolusia.com

Board members Steve Ense, Pat Malota, President Mike Funaro, new managing director Kendra Lott, board member John Oswalt and volunteer community liaison Jan McGoey stood in front of the original sign in the lobby of the New Smyrna Beach Theatre.

Since 1947, the New Smyrna Beach Theatre has been performing Broadway-style performances for the community.

Due to Covid-19, it will be closed in March, and the theater staff are pleased to announce that it will officially reopen on January 7 with "footsteps in the game".

"No matter what it means today, we are all excitedly trying to reopen and return to normal," said Michael Funaro, chairman of the board. "A team of volunteers is needed to carry out the work we do here. We understand the needs of the audience very well."

Safety measures have been taken to ensure that customers feel comfortable and safe when they return to the theater. For example, a 250-seat venue can only accommodate 98 people at most, and they are all socially distant. Masks are essential, and actors will also wear state-of-the-art masks. These masks are transparent so that facial expressions can be observed. After each performance, the theater must be thoroughly cleaned.

Cleaning includes using the services of a commercial cleaning company to disinfect the surfaces of the theater auditorium, lobby, restrooms, box office, and all backstage areas before each performance. In addition, the theater also uses non-toxic, plant-based, disinfectant atomized solutions.

Any actor on the stage should maintain a distance of at least 12 feet from the nearest audience to ensure that potential contact does not occur. Hand washing stations are located throughout the theater. There will be no discounts.

Audiences will be seated in the order of arrival and will be asked to wait in line outside the theater if necessary. The auditorium will open one hour before the scheduled performance time. After each performance, customers will be asked to leave the building according to the number of rows.

Mr. Funaro said: "We are a very close family organization and we try to keep all the plays on stage." "We all get along. We come here to have fun and enjoy ourselves."

He emphasized how many volunteers work outside the theater, but it took a long time for everyone to make the magic happen on stage.

Mr. Funaro said: "Covid shocked our world." "Since March, we have been in the dark-80% or more of our revenue comes from ticket sales."

Starting on January 4, Kendra Lott was hired as the new (and only) salary employee. Ms. Lott has many years of experience in the theater industry and has extensive non-profit management expertise.

Ms. Lott said: "I am very happy to start work. I think this is what the community needs right now to be with other people in a way that feels safe." "There is a reason to go out and dress up and sit down with the audience. Meet people you know on stage. I think that community theaters like this, whether on the stage or in the background, are all about the audience."

The theater generates strong emotions.

"I like this little theater very much," said board member Pat Malota. "The people who work here are volunteers. They do their best to make people come and enjoy the wonderful drama, the excellent actors. With this Covid, it is really hard to leave. So, I hope they can come here to play with confidence The (new script) is going well. For me, it’s fun. I hope other people will come in and play with me.”

Without an audience, a scene is nothing.

"You need the audience to perform... There is no applause there," said Jan McGoey, a volunteer community liaison who also sang and danced. "It's good for other things. There is nothing more like a live theater. Every show is different. We hope to make a comeback. Even if the audience is limited, people can still enjoy live performances in a safe environment."

Ms. McGoey pointed out that 350 people participated in a recent outdoor "Broadway in the Park" event.

"Game in Progress" is set in December 1936. Broadway star William Gillette invited his fellow actors from the play "Detective Sherlock Holmes" to his Connecticut castle for a weekend spree. But when a guest is stabbed to death, it depends on Mr. Gillette himself, because he assumes the role of his beloved Sherlock Holmes to track down the murderer before the next victim appears.

The play will continue until January 24.

Upcoming movies include "Restaurant" from March 18th to 28th. From April 8th to 18th, "The Cat on the Hot Tin Roof"; and "How to Love the Other Half", May 6th to 16th. The musical and other shows are planned to be launched later this year. Auditions for the canteen will be held on the 720th floor next to the theater from January 17th to 18th at 7pm.

For "playing in progress", the ticket price for seniors is US$20 or US$19 and for children is US$10.

Seats will be sold as general tickets, so you will not get reserved seats. Instead, customers will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis when they arrive

The small theater is located at 726 Third Avenue. For more information, please call (386) 423-1246 or visit

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