Musicals, concerts, comedies & more!

MVP History/Timeline

Since 1997, the Merrimack Valley Players have been providing the Merrimack Valley with quality musical theatre, hilarious comedies, murder mysteries and formal concerts. We are a not-for-profit theatre organization dedicated to bringing musical and theatre education and entertainment to the Merrimack Valley and surrounding areas.

2008 - The Gershwin brothers come alive!

• "AN EVENING OF CONCERT GERSHWIN" was performed in April, proving that the Gershwin brothers can withstand the test of time!
• LOOKING AHEAD: The 8th annual Christmas concert will be performed in December!

2007 - Rodgers and Hammerstein come alive!

• Presenting the first ever spring concert, "AN EVENING OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN" was performed to rave reviews.
• The 7th annual "SONGS FOR THE SEASON" Christmas concert bowed in December!

2006 - Murder, suspense and "Ease on down the Road"

• MVP tested its acting chops with the dramatic murder mystery “THE NIGHT IS MY ENEMY”, directed by member Mike Caruso.
• A high energy production of “THE WIZ” debuted in July, to a grateful audience.
• The 6th annual Christmas concert went up in December.
• The group presented itself to a new “audience”, in Manchester, NH, by singing the national anthem at the Verizon Center, before the start of a Manchester Monarchs hockey game.

2005 - Who knew you could have fun at a wake? & "Hello Dolly!"

• MVP took a gamble that paid off nicely, and presented the first member-written comedy, “THE WAKE OF ONE, IRA CHANG” at the Stevens Theater. Written and directed my members Jeff Kucukistipanoglu and Glenn Wakeley, the show was performed for a slim budget of $3500 and boasted a cast of over 20 actors, all of whom kept the laughs coming.
• The crowdpleaser “HELLO DOLLY!” premiered in July of 2005.
• The 5th annual Christmas concert was performed in December.

2004 - First comedy & "20 million people"

• The spring of 2004 brought the valley the first ever non-musical comedy “BATHROOM HUMOR”. It was performed at the Stevens Theatre at Merrimack College. Member Chad Dow hit a homerun directing the first MVP non-musical, that served up big laughs.
• That summer, Richard J. Piatt took the helm as Artistic Director for “MY FAVORITE YEAR”, a throwback to the comedies of the late-50s and early 60s.
• The 4th annual Christmas concert premiered, now offically named "SONGS OF THE SEASON."
• The group also tried a new adventure, recording a Christmas CD. The valley now had a lasting recording of MVP’s amazing Christmas music.

2003 - "Go Forth" & "The Lullaby of Broadway"

• For the first time, a musical was presented in the spring. The show was “JUST SO”, performed at the Rogers Center for the Arts. This show was also the first member-directed show. Director Richie Hoehn brought Rudyard Kipling’s stories to life, in addition to playing a leading role of the Elephant Child.
• That summer, now with a budget of $20,000, the tap dance hit “42nd STREET” was met with standing ovations.
• The 3rd annual Christmas concert chorus grew to now include 20 people.

2002 - "The Company Way"

• Now boasting a budget of over $12,000, MVP presented the popular “HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING” at the Rogers Center.
• The 2nd annual Christmas concert bowed in December. A chorus of 14 singers, two pianists (Phil Naroian & Bryant Clark), and the new MVP musical director (Susan Veilleux) presented an amazing set of Christmas music.

2001 - "We got rhythm"

• MVP scored their biggest hit to date, with a rousing, crowd-pleasing presentation of Gershwin’s “CRAZY FOR YOU” at the Rogers Center. Membership numbers climbed as high as 50 people.
• In December of 2001, MVP tried something new, presenting its first ever formal Christmas concert, at the beautiful Methuen Memorial Music Hall. Donning suits and formal dresses, the group presented a set of new and old Christmas music, including holiday favorites, as never heard before. The concert was a great success, and started a tradition of an annual concert, that continues to this day.

2000 - "Comedy Tonight"

• MVP took a big step by moving into the brand new Rogers Center for the Arts, on the campus of Merrimack College. The 600-seat, professional-looking Rogers Center became the new home for the summer musicals. The first show at the Rogers was “A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM”
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• The group also completed all necessary steps to become an official not-for-profit company.

1999 - "We Beseech Thee"

MVP performed "GODSPELL" in the auditorium of Salem High School.

1998 - "You gotta have heart"

The organization’s sophomore outing was “DAMN YANKEES”, performed in the main theater of Central Catholic High School.

1997 - How it all began (our "Corner of the Sky")

A group of friends performed “PIPPIN” in the halls of St. Anthony's Church, in Lawrence, MA, with a budget of just under $500. The seed for MVP was planted.