Community Corner

Malverne Community Theatre Raises Funds for First Show

Supporters fill Our Town Grille for kick-off event.

Dave Coonan and the members of the company are one step closer to staging their first production.

Dozens of local residents, thespians and theatre enthusiasts packed in Malverne Saturday night for Cocktails and Curtains, a kick-off event to fund the group's debut show.

For the price of admission, participants enjoyed a delicious spread of hor d'oeuvres, wine and beer, and were entertained by the improvisational comedy of recent graduates Sarah St. John and Amy Coonan, and two of Coonan's former students from Hicksville High School Mike Pagano and John Ortiz and some brave audience members. Some guests also went home with several raffles prizes including gift certificates donated by Our Town Grille, Malverne Bagels, Malverne Deli, the Brick Cafe, and a crystal Tiffany bowl.

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Coonan, a Malverne High School graduate, Lynbrook resident and president of the revived company, called the night a success as it raised $1,400, exceeding his expectations. Now, the group will be able to purchase the insurance needed to acquire a space to stage their first show, which Coonan has yet to reveal any details about. He's aiming to have the production up and running this December.

"The number one thing that I want to get out of this, and ... everyone else who has helped put this together, is artistic respect," Coonan told those in attendance at the Aug. 18 event. "There are bad community theatres and there are really good community theatres, and I want to go even beyond that to exceptional."

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Coonan thanked all his supporters including Bob Fraissinet one of the original board members of the Malverne Community Theatre, which was formed in the 1960s. He was in attendance but missing from the crown was MCT's first president, Bob Prowler.

Coonan explained how it was Prowler, who formed the original Malverne Community Theatre, signed the company over to Coonan in October 2011. Prowler, who was very active in the village and ran The Malverne Times, passed away last month at the age of 89.

If it wasn't for Prowler and his initial vision, Coonan said, his plan of bringing theatre back to Malverne would not be possible.

"I was very pleased with the turn out and with the outpouring of support," Coonan said in a statement released to Patch. "I'm excited to get started producing and directing some terrific theater and further adding to Malverne's long history as a center for performing arts. From what I saw on Saturday, many people are behind that vision as well. The board and I couldn't be happier with the event."

The company still has more fundraising to do before it can bring its first productions to life. To learn how you can support the Malverne Community Theatre, visit MalverneTheatre.org and become a Facebook fan. 


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