The Arctic Playhouse evolved the ‘Daydream Theater Company’ that was founded in Providence, Rhode Island in 2002.[1] In 2014, Daydream Theater Company was looking for a new, larger location. A venue was secured[2] in Arctic Village, West Warwick.[3] This location, seating 90 patrons, became home to The Arctic Playhouse,[4][5] (TAP) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The theater contributes to the revival of this formerly vibrant mill village[6] and is theater as is should be.[7]
After demand for more space, TAP acquired the former Maxine's Department Store,[8] (1249 Main Street) which will be the new home of The Arctic Playhouse, following a $1.5-million renovation[9][10] that will give the theater company room to grow. “At the current location, the playhouse has 90 seats. At 1249 Main Street, it will have over 200 seats”, said board member Lloyd Felix.[11]
Executive Producer Jim Belanger welcomes Cabaret Host Ida Zecco
The new facility plan is divided into a main theater with balcony seating and a cabaret stage for smaller, more intimate, audiences. Long time supporter Ida Zecco[12] hosted the first Cabaret Club on April 30, 2019 with Jim Rice on piano and guest artist John Abernathy. Another regular supporting artist, Lon Cerel,[13] followed on May 3 with his Thief of Thoughts[14] performance.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, performances were streamed live to keep the Arts alive, actors and patrons involved and continued funding for renovations.
September 23, 2021 marked TAP's first "in person" performance at 1249 Main Street - "Murder at the Howard Johnson's" directed by Tony Annicone, with patrons assembled in a modified area of 1249 which presently seats 96 people.
Future
New Home of The Arctic Playhouse
Renovations continue for completing the theater with fundraising a vital part of this so equipment and materials can be purchased avoiding the need to finance into the future.
Seasons
2024 Season
• Legally Blonde The Musical
• The Brothers Grimm
• And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie
• Crimes of the Heart
• One Slight Hitch
• Lone Star Love Potion
• 45 Seconds from Broadway (A New Comedy)
o A Tribute to Tony – Kelley Lennon
o From My Heart, Aloha – Al Lorenzo
o The Pickup Line – Jeanne Collins Crowley
o The New Belters – Nicolas King and Seth Sikes
o A Tribute to Billie and Amy – Frankie Campofelice and Andy Lantz
o Becoming Okay with Being Gay – Krisanthi Pappas
o French Women Don’t Shave and Other Truths Revealed – La Mechante et le Connard
o The Jim and Val Show – Jim Rice and Valerie Sneade-Roy
o Between Yesterday and Tomorrow – Marieann Maringolo
o Autumn in my Soul – Michelle Currie
o A Taste of Thanksgiving – David Rivera Bozon
o A Song for the Season – Ida Zecco and Jim Rice
2022-23 Season
39 Steps
Bedroom Farce
Don't Dress For Dinner
Lon Cerel
Love Sex & The IRS
Miracle on 34th Street
The Addams Family (outside production)
The Games A Foot or Holmes For The Holiday
There's A Burglar In My Bed
Cabaret:
Love Notes - The High C's Ocean State Trio
P.S. I Love You - Kelley Lemon
Stories of Family Friends and Fun - Krisanthi Pappas
Art Isn't East - John Abernathy
Billy and Amy - Frankie Campofelice and Andy Lantz
Heart Attack! - Michael Hammond
2021-22 Season
Exit Laughing
Lie, Cheat and Genuflect
Miracle on 34th Street
Noises Off
Second Nature Rides Again!
Sex and the Older Girl
Social Security
The Hatmaker's Wife
Lon Cerel
Cabaret:
Angela Bacari
David Bozon
Eden Casteel
Ida Zecco and Jim Rice
Ida Zecco
John O'Neil
Michelle Currie
Robb Bernard
Roderick Ferguson
The Next Generation
Valerie and Jim
2020-21 Season
Miracle on 34th Street - The Radio Play
Murder at the Howard Johnsons
The Edgar Allan Poe Afterlife - Radio Show
- - - - -
2019-20 Season
Vintage Hitchcock (Joe Landry) dir. Diane Lupo
Bermuda Avenue Triangle (Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna) dir. Tony Annicone
Any Friend of Percy D'Angelino is A Friend of Mine (Jason Milligon) dir. Fred Davidson
The Gift of the Magi / Balls / The First Noel (O. Henry / George Cameron Grant) dir. Rachel Hanauer
