Manatee Players need volunteers to finish moving

   You probably thought Manatee Players had completely moved out of their creaky old home at Riverfront Theater and into the luxuriant Manatee Performing Arts Center. After all, they've been producing shows in the new theater for months, and Riverfront Theater seems like a distant memory.

Manatee Performing Arts Center

   Turns out there are props and costumes that are still back in the old place, and Manatee Players wants your help to finish moving them. There's apparently a lot of stuff still left to move, 'cause they're looking for 50 volunteers on each of two days, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1 and 2. The fun starts at 9 a.m. both days.
   Once all those costumes and props are moved, all the company's operations and belonging will finally be under one roof again.
   If you'd like to sign up to volunteer for one day or both, call 941-749-1111.

Manatee Players' remarkable run at Riverfront Theatre in Bradenton shouldn't be forgotten

Manatee Players production of "Cabaret" in 1988. Photo provided.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2013/01/27/4367936/manatee-players-many-decades-at.html#storylink=cpy

In December 1953, the Manatee Players' brand new Riverfront Theatre in downtown Bradenton opened its doors with a production of the heartwarming play "I Remember Mama."

The troupe has continued performing at the venue on the waterfront in downtown Bradenton for nearly six decades, winning numerous awards including major ones on national stages.

Judging by the company's current, sold-out production of Cole Porter's musical "Anything Goes," which just last year could be seen again on Broadway, The Manatee Players will be entertaining audiences for many more decades.

But, as regular Bradenton Herald readers are well aware, that remarkable run at the Riverfront Theatre will end when the Manatee Performing Arts Center opens in March with a production of "Miss Saigon."

The new multi-use venue will surely be a huge boon for downtown Bradenton, but it's important we don't forget all the fabulous fun and hard work that happened inside the Riverfront Theatre.

To help preserve those memories, The Manatee Players and the Bradenton Herald are reaching out to all the actors, volunteers and board members from the community theater company's rich history for photos from past productions.

Email scanned photos to me at wtatangelo@bradenton.com.

That doesn't work for you?

Give me a call at 941-745-7057 and I'll see what can be done to get those photos saved for posterity and viewed by our fellow theater enthusiasts.

Read more.