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with the announcement of our up-coming season we have been asked repeatedly the same questions and heard the most astounding statements from mystified potential patrons. we have decided it is time to share and explain some of the questions we have received regarding our presence at the crighton theatre. there are some re-ally confused folks out there, but fear not. there are even folks that are life long residents of Montgomery county that have no clue about the treasure affectionately called the “crown Jewel of Montgomery county” that is right in their own backyard. Let’s clear up a few things, shall we?

Myth #1: The Crighton has been demolished and is now a parking lot.

fact: no, the theatre has not been demolished. If it has Ricky Skaggs will be surprised to hear that. Ricky just fin-

Name Official Name FunctionCrighton Theatre Same Theatre building built in 1934 by Harry M. Crighton

Crighton Theatre Foundation Montgomery County Owner of the Crighton Theatre(CTF) Foundation for the Performing Arts (MCFPA)

Crighton Community Same This one is confusing; this name has Playhouse been used to describe both the theatre building and also the Crighton Players

Crighton Players The Little Theatre Former resident theatre company at the of Conroe, DBA Crighton Theatre, left in 2008 and now are The Crighton Players, Inc. resident company at the Owen Theatre.

Crighton Players Foundation Foundation for the Fund raising group for the Little Theatre of Crighton Players Conroe and in no way affiliated with the Crighton Theatre

Crighton Kidz Same Youth group begun by Amy Sowers now run by the Little Theatre of Conroe. Crighton Kidz do not perform at the Crighton Theatre. Amy Sowers now directs Bravo Company at the Crighton Theatre for STAGE RIGHT.

By: Steven & Carolyn Wong

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ished a McPaS concert at the crighton on april 3rd, 2010. Vince gill, who has a nearly sold out show coming cour-tesy of the Sounds of texas, will also be surprised if he shows up to play in a parking lot. the fact is the crighton theatre still stands at 234 n. Main St. in downtown conroe; where it has stood for over 75 years. and you can be as-sured that if a day ever comes when that building is to be brought down, a legion of fans would gladly stand in front of a wrecking ball to protect her.

though not been ‘brought down’ by a wrecking ball, time is slowing ravag-ing the old theatre’s glory. It has been over 30 years since the grande dame of conroe has had a major facelift. for the 75th anniversary the crighton theatre foundation has launched a $750,000 capital campaign to fund improvements to the crighton theatre. the improve-ments will make it more competitive as they seek to book popular performanc-es and events. the restoration will up-grade equipment, replace the theatre seating, refresh the lobby and improve backstage spaces. call the Box office at 936-441-7469 to see how you can help.

Myth #2: “Crighton” refers to a single group.

fact: Several organizations have used the “crighton” name for many years.

are you confused yet? we admit it is a bit daunting trying to figure the ‘name’ thing out. Many of you have asked us why the crighton Players con-tinue to use the name crighton if they are no longer there. well, we believe they have had a long and happy associ-ation with that name. they were the rea-son the crighton was refurbished over 30 years ago. they raised the funds, they fixed it up. we can certainly under-stand why they want to keep the name; it is part of their history. all of us on the board of StagE RIgHt were crighton Players in some capacity; on the board, as performers, and as backstage crew. we certainly harbor no ill will toward them. we merely seek to provide support for the crighton theatre. theatres need the steady predictable income of a resi-

A row of Red Hat Ladies waiting for Vaudeville to start

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StagE RIgHt is a theatre group that seeks to inspire and enlighten the com-munity. our programming has focused on comedies and musicals. Between the three resident groups you can find enter-tainment programming that is sufficiently diverse to please almost anyone. would you like to know what’s happening at the crighton every month? then sign up for our newsletter! StagE RIgHt creates an e-newsletter every month that is jam packed with pictures, articles, and links to different groups. Sign up by visiting our website: www.stage-right.org or visit a website we created that has informa-tion on all events coming to the crighton:

Hospitality have asked StagE RIgHt to produce a world pre-miere of a brand new play. Jes-sie Jones, nicholas Hope, and Jamie wooten – best known for their work on tV shows includ-ing “the golden girls” – heard so many good reviews from their friends that they selected StagE RIgHt over many other theatre groups in the US to host their next premiere. that will take place at the crighton the-atre in the fall of 2011.

Myth #4: Only one group calls the Crighton its home.

fact: there are three resident groups at the crighton theatre: McPaS (Montgom-ery county Performing arts Society), the Sounds of texas Music Series, and StagE RIgHt. McPaS concentrates on touring groups that provide professional qual-ity performing arts in Montgomery county. Ricky Skaggs was one of the latest McPaS guest artists. the Sounds of texas offers patrons a chance to hear a wide variety of new, undiscovered artists as well as sea-soned veteran performers in a listening room environment. Vince gill will be a Sounds of texas guest this august.

dent company. the Players have chosen to provide that now for the owen theatre. we at StagE RIgHt hope you help both groups provide live theatre entertainment in downtown conroe.

Myth #3: Plays are no longer done at the Crighton.

fact: Several groups produce plays and musicals at the historic crighton the-atre which include StagE RIgHt, Bravo company (youth theatre group for StagE RIgHt), christian Youth theatre, and covenant christian. other professional groups have used the crighton for their traveling shows (i.e., Elvis tribute artists).

we have one more show in our 2009-2010 season: annie. Everyone’s favorite spunky orphan will be at the crighton July 23 – aug. 8. the StagE RIgHt 2010-2011 season of shows include: • no time for Sergeants in September• christmas Belles (our very first show back by popular demand)• always, Patsy cline in february 2011• Harvey in april; a big bunny just in time for Spring• the Music Man in July as our family mu-sical

In addition, the authors of the south-ern comedy trilogy which includes dearly Beloved, christmas Belles, and Southern

Crighton Lobby

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www.crighton-theatre.com. would you like to support us in our ef-

forts to bring family friendly entertainment to the crighton? consider underwriting a show. we are currently seeking sponsor-ship for all of the shows in our upcoming season as well as our final show of 2009-2010: annIE. Please contact us at info@stage-right.org or 936-441-SHow for more information.

Myth #5: There is an old and new Crighton.

fact: there is only one crighton the-atre. call her ‘old’ if you must, but we pre-fer ‘historic’ or ‘antique’ if absolutely nec-essary. the ‘new’ theatre in town is the owen theatre. conroe has two theatres not two crightons. these theatres can be key to enlivening the downtown con-roe area, but not without your help. while both theatres are a major reason that peo-ple come to the downtown area, they can-not succeed alone in supporting events, restaurants, bars, coffee houses, and more. do you have a large group coming to a show? call one of the downtown res-taurants and see if they can stay open for your group. we suggested this to one of our groups and Vernon’s city café happily took care of a bus load of folks coming

to see a StagE RIgHt show. they had a wonderful meal and then walked across the street to the crighton: without stress about missing the show due to traffic and without paying to park in a downtown ga-rage. after a show, consider going to the corner Pub for a drink-you’ll probably see some of the cast there!

Myth #6: Vaudeville has never played at the Crighton.

fact: for the 75th birthday of the historic crighton theatre StagE RIgHt hosted an authentic vaudeville show. See the website at www.stage-right.org for the television interviews or the pictures tak-en during the show. fan dancing, corny jokes, and plenty of music! Youtube also has some pictures of the Vaudeville show. It was very well received and we hope to bring Vaudeville back to the crighton in future seasons.

Myth #7: This is Conroe. No one famous has ever performed on the Crighton stage.

fact: If you don’t include debbie Reynolds, Marvin Hamlisch, Vince gill, Mavis Staples, Los Lonely Boys, asleep at the wheel, guy clark, Rosanne cash, Ricky Skaggs, and more then yes, you

would be right.the historic crighton theatre has

ambience and style that few places can boast. However, like all historic buildings it needs your help and support to contin-ue to serve the community. How can you help? Support the resident groups of the crighton theatre. donate your time, tal-ent and treasure to the resident groups and the crighton theatre when you are able. Be an advocate for responsible spending of city and county funds that support the downtown area and the crigh-ton theatre. tell your family and friends about the activities at the crighton and the downtown area.

we hope to have ‘debunked’ some of the myths that have been swarming about lately regarding StagE RIgHt and the crighton theatre. of course there is an-other myth that the old theatre is haunted. we don’t know if that is true or not but when we’ve turned all the lights off and are getting ready to leave for the evening we do sense a presence. the walls literal-ly seem to hum with the energy bought in by all the folks that have walked through the doors these many years. the laughter, the music, the spirit of all that have come to that place is still present. we hope you will come to the crighton and see for your-self. u