By Shannon Reid
For the Homer News
The iconic red building of the Pier One Theatre can’t be missed on the Homer Spit drive, its foundation built up with the help of gravel reconstruction and a small town’s love for live theatre. This summer Pier One Theatre has a full schedule of several performances and Youth Theatre workshops.
Back in 1973 Lance and Barb Petersen, the current artistic director and company manager of Pier One Theatre, and Richard and Donna Dixon produced the first play, “The Drunkard,” in the original building of the present day Ferry Terminal.
Before Pier One could perform in its current location, renovation was critically needed. Lance Petersen described the first inspection of the building as “disheartening.”
“The building flooded during high tides. There was a high tide mark of scum about four feet up the interior walls and the back door to the building opened out onto a steep beach,” he said.
In the summer of 1986, gravel was pumped around the structure while the city of Homer was expanding the Small Boat Harbor, filling up the beach and surrounding area. That year the Youth Theatre presented “Treasure Island,” with the main stage theatre opening with a revival of “The Drunkard,” followed by “Angry Housewives.”
“Since then, Homer’s Pier One Theatre on the Spit has produced live theatre from Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer,” said Petersen.
A Youth Theatre Skills Camp production directed by Casey Parret, Adella Sundmark and their assistant Johnny Hamilton will present “Remembering Kathy, as told by Charles Dickens,” tomorrow and Saturday. Cast members are Vianne and Jackson Sarber, Lilly Smith, Chloe Allman and Hanah Morgan.
The multi-media show called “Rhythm of the North” will play every Tuesday from July 1-Aug. 5. “The Odd Couple” performs July 4-6, July 10-13, July 17-20 and July 24-26.
Youth Theatre’s “Peter Pan” runs Aug. 1-3 and Aug. 7-9. The returning “Outrageous Jazz” will play Aug. 15-16 and “4Play” will wrap up the season, performing Aug. 22-24, and Aug. 29-31.
A Pier One Theatre production of the musical “Les Miserables” will be performed at the Homer High School Mariner Theatre this October.
Lance Petersen said volunteer help for responsibilities like popping popcorn and ushering is needed for every performance. Volunteers receive free admission to the show.
General admission is $14, senior tickets are $13 and tickets for 20-year-olds and younger are $10. Members of the Raven Club, or individuals and businesses who make a financial contribution to Pier One Theatre, are $12.
Reservations are encouraged. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. and Youth Theatre matinees at 3 p.m.
To make reservations or to be listed as a volunteer, call 235-7333. Tickets can be purchased in advance at The Homer Bookstore or at the box office outside Pier One Theatre 45 minutes before the show.
For current listings, check out the Pier One Theatre website at pieronetheatre.org or its Facebook page at facebook.com/PierOneTheatre.
Shannon Reid is a freelance writer who lives in Homer.
Pier One Theatre
Homer Spit
Tickets: $14 general, $13 seniors, $12 Raven Club members, $10 youth under 20
On sale at the Homer Bookstore or at the box office 45 minutes before shows
For reservations, call 235-7333
Visit Pier One’s website at pieronetheatre.org
or Facebook at www.facebook.com/PierOneTheatre
3 p.m. Friday, Saturday: Remembering Kathy, as told by Charles Dickens, Youth Theatre production
7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 1-Aug. 5, Rhythm of the North, Johnny B’s multimedia show
7:30 p.m. July 4-6, July 10-13, July 17-20 and July 24-26, The Odd Couple
3 p.m. Aug. 1-3 and Aug. 7-9 , Peter Pan, Youth Theatre production
7:30 pm. Aug. 15-16, Outrageous Jazz
7:30 p.m. Aug. 22-24 and Aug. 29-31, 4Play
