Musicals, comedies & concerts!

Genesis...

When a group of friends decided to put on a musical at St. Anthony’s church in Lawrence, MA, little did they know that they were laying the groundwork for what would eventually become a full-blown community theater organization. The plan was as simple as can be: to put on a show and have a lot of fun doing it.

In the summer of 1997, director Dawn Gabriel and music director Dave Comtois joined forces to stage the popular musical “Pippin”. They transformed the St. Anthony’s church hall into a makeshift theater, and called on friends to play lead roles and fill out the show’s chorus. And they pulled this all off by spending barely $500.

And with that, MVP was born!

From the very beginning, MVP was determined to be family-oriented, with the process of planning out future seasons taking place in members’ livings rooms. Sets for the summer musicals were painted and constructed in members’ driveways. Costumes were taken from members’ closets and attics.

Over the years, the organization has grown, performing in venues such as the Salem High School auditorium, the theater at Central Catholic High School, and the small 100-seat blackbox Stevens Theater, and the beautiful 600-seat, professional Rogers Center, both on the campus of Merrimack College. The Rogers Center is perfect for large scale musical productions. With each year, casts and orchestras of the musicals, grew in size, as well as set pieces and costumes.

In 2001, MVP performed its first Christmas Concert, in the gorgeous Methuen Memorial Music Hall. Since then, the Christmas Concert has become an annual event, always a crowd-pleaser.

The Merrimack Valley Players have truly tried a little bit of everything. Through popular musicals, hilarious comedies and beautiful concerts, we are always up for something new. Committed to being family-oriented, new friendships continue to be made, and existing ones have flourished as never before. We have even been blessed to witness the weddings of MVP members (and even more blessed to sing at those weddings!)

Actors, singers, and dancers come from all around the Merrimack Valley, and from as far as Boston or northern New Hampshire to be part of the MVP experience. You are always welcome to join us for new theatrical adventures.

As the Merrimack Valley Players continue to look to the future, and moves into a new decade, the valley can expect to continue to be entertained.