For 40 years I have had the honor of making the Marriott Theatre my artistic home. It all began in January of 1982, when I was cast in my first Marriott production, Fiddler on the Roof. Eventually I would leave New York, making Chicago and the Marriott Theatre my new home. During the early 90’s I left performing and became the resident Music Director at Marriott, and soon thereafter Associate Producer. I became Executive Producer of Marriott Theatre in 2000. It has been a glorious ride! However, it is time for me to exit stage left. (Or up an aisle in our theatre.) I have gotten to do more than I could have ever dreamt possible, so I leave with a full heart. Having been living with Multiple Sclerosis it is now time to prioritize my health. The current season (who knew it would take three years to get through) will be my last as producer.
As I reflect, I will miss all those amazing performances throughout my time here. Thousands of incredible moments that live for just a moment in time and then are gone, only to be held in our memories and the emotional imprint it leaves behind. I will miss our incredibly supportive subscribers. Amazingly, 90% of these loyal friends have stood by us the past couple of years, assuring a successful reopening. I spoke to so many on the phone from our shuttered office during our two-year hiatus. Their ownership of this theatre was palpable and heartwarming during an incredibly difficult time for all of us.
I especially want to acknowledge a few that I have had the pleasure to work alongside with for so many years, behind the scenes, deserving of a thunderous ovation. These friends retired during my tenure, many during the pandemic, and none got the sendoff they deserved. My friends Barb Kavanaugh, Box Office (30 years+), Eileen Hughes, Subscriptions (30 years+), and Nancy Vaughan, Group Sales (30 years+); my right- hand partner for a quarter century, Business Manager Margaret Newton; the great Costume Designer Nancy Missimi; longtime Designers Dianne Williams (lights) and Thomas Ryan (sets); the talented Draper, Diane Hinman; Subscription guru Lauren Johnson; the best in the biz -Michael Hendricks, Stage Manager; the greatly appreciated Lauren Iezzi, Business Manager. And it is especially hard to leave my friend, Conductor, Patti Garwood. And special thanks to the running crews and ushers, box office crew, and the best staff in the world.
And special love to our incredible Artistic Directors for the past 40 years, Dyanne Early, Rick Boynton, Andy Hite, and Aaron Thielen. Leading their artistic teams, they created magic time and time again. We have a very small production staff with giant talents, they and our Artistic Directors have made this theatre what it is.
There are still adventures to come. I’m really looking forward to supporting Aaron Thielen and Ryan Nelson’s burgeoning nonprofit Broadway Across Borders, and the incredible work begun in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Germany, and Serbia. And of course, I look forward to seeing all that the future brings from this great theatre!
The Marriott Theatre business model, like the theatre itself, is unique. The Bricton Group and ownership will be posting the positions for Theatre/Hotel. I’m thankful and appreciative of Marriott International, The Bricton Group, and our ownership for their support of my staff and I, and of the hundreds of artists that have graced our stage, bringing millions of theatre goers to Lincolnshire.
So, thank you. There is nothing that can adequately express how much all of this and all of you have meant to me.
With love and gratitude,
Terry James Executive Producer
Marriott Theatre