Deb Jackson

There is good news and bad news on the horizon, which do you want first? The good news is that the state passed a budget in the eleventh hour earlier this month. It included an increase in per pupil funding – ‘Good’ that value is put on educating our future generation. The ‘Bad’ news is that the press release included a statement that there would be cuts to Arts and Culture. Why is it lost in our collective thinking that thriving societies value arts and culture?

It is almost curtain call on the OTP 65th anniversary season. This weekend is the final weekend of “Four Old Broads,” which is our last adult MainStage show of the season. This is a funny show about four friends living in assisted living who plot to take out the evil nurse and plan an escape. Add in an old Elvis impersonator and be ready to laugh.

Our exciting anniversary season is in the final stretch. Every show this season had new volunteers on stage and new patrons in the audience. We just wrapped up our third Studio Theatre show, “Paint Night,” to sold-out audiences. And next up in the renovated Schmuckal Theatre is the Young Company production of “The Giver.” In April, “The Drowsy Chaperone” opens on MainStage.