Theatre Company of Port Richmond: Proving That Stage Plays are Alive and Well in the Riverwards

Theatre is alive and well here in the Riverwards.

The Theatre Company of Port Richmond is a long held tradition for generations of residents in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Auditions are held in early December where locals from Port Richmond and Fishtown try out, but folks from places like New Jersey and Montgomery County also travel down to become part of the production.

Originating in 1984 as The Nativity Theatre Company, their first production served as a fundraiser for the local parish. In 1991, the group reformed on their own as The Theatre Company of Port Richmond (TCPR) and moved down the street to their current home, The Lithuanian Music Hall on Allegheny and Tilton.

/Jen Painter

For more than thirty years, the community theatre troupe has been performing beloved classics such as “Bye Bye Birdie”, “My Fair Lady”, and “Music Man”. This year’s production is the classic story of Don Quixote, “Man of La Mancha”.

During rehearsals, Spirit News caught up with both newcomers and long time contributors, and saw just how much fun and anticipation the people have for this warm tradition. TCPR is certainly a family affair: As many as four generations of a family have been a part of the company. One of the actors, Terry Wilson, was introduced to the company through his brother-in-law. The director Jim McDermott, one of the original members, is joined by his wife, his daughters, his sister and brother-in-law, among other family members and friends who exhibit multiple talents. One of Jim’s daughters stands beside him during rehearsals as assistant director and at the dress rehearsal, Jim hops up on stage with the cast and joins the chorus.

Theatre Company of Port Richmond Performance

/Jen Painter

Most of the teenage members of TCPR have worked with the company since they were very little. When McDermott’s daughter Allison was just six years old, she took a role in her first show, “Annie Get Your Gun”. She has been with the theatre company ever since. So, what keeps her coming back? Sure it’s thrilling to be up on stage, but mainly, she says, “It’s the people — we just have so much fun together.”

Alison’s uncle, Paul Kiser, is also part of the cast and he has managed the sound and lights since the beginning. He told Spirit News how the original stage crew created their own make-shift lighting board with a piece of wood, regular old light dimmers, and rulers to move the dimmers up and down. Paul is in the process of passing the torch to his 12 year old grandson who has his sights on learning such skills.

Theatre Company of Port Richmond Sound Board

/Jen Painter

Members of the group often wear many hats, such as Mike Foley who built the mechanical stairs and plays classical guitar on stage, or neighbors Mary Beth Hrynczyszyn and Teri Koltonuk who design all the costumes and have styled each show for the past nine years. Sister Kate Shelly and Sister Diane McManus of Nativity BVM lead the orchestra for each show as conductor and accompanist.

Stories unfold as we explore the old music hall and chat with the people. Maude Doran, the Company Manager, and Mary Ann Becker show us around. Mary Ann has been with the company for 32 years, since its inception. Now 66 and rooted in Port Richmond, she fondly remembers attending dances in the main hall as a teenager.

From the custom styled, hand sewn costumes and the homemade dinner-theater buffet, to the barn-building style construction of the set and the skilled stage crew, the Theatre Company of Port Richmond is impressive to say the least. Every role and every detail are thoughtfully attended to. Katy Brown, 29, a metal worker at Iron Studio in Fishtown, has been the theatre company’s stage designer for five years. We also met Patrick Burynt, a lifelong woodworker who came on this year to craft some of the set and props.

The Theatre Company of Port Richmond embodies an undeniably charismatic identity, supported by the personalities and energy of the individuals involved. They appreciate the time and focus it takes to pull off a quality production every year. Some traditions bring everyone involved joy and this is undoubtedly one of those traditions.