MOMENTOUS MILESTONES
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SEASON OF THE ARTS
PERFORMING ARTS
BY SUSAN BURGESS
The Sunrise Theatre marks the
beginning of its 100th year with
the graceful Swan Lake ballet
on Dec. 28 performed by the
State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine.
STATE BALLET THEATRE OF UKRAINE
Treasure Coast theaters, performing arts
companies reach major anniversaries
If there is ever a time for a theater to shine, it’s during a
major anniversary year. Eight anniversaries marking decades
or half decades this year foretell a brilliant season
for the Treasure Coast performing arts. Expect curtains
to rise on some of the best shows now that the worst of the
pandemic years seem behind us.
Years of hard work and sometimes digging, hammering
and sawing by theater founders created today’s robust
performing arts scene on the Treasure Coast. But their communities
were there for them throughout their struggles, and
although they couldn’t really have foreseen the results, they
hoped. And it paid off.
SUNRISE THEATRE
The oldest theater in the area at 100 years, the historical 1923
Sunrise Theatre served not only as a theater, “it brought the
Fort Pierce community together starting with vaudeville acts,
and movies until it closed in the mid-’80s,” said marketing
manager Anne Sattterlee. “Now restored, it is again the shining
light in downtown, with a variety of annual programming.”
The theater marks the beginning of its 100th year with the
graceful Swan Lake ballet presented by the State Ballet Theatre
of Ukraine followed by Johnny Mathis, Oak Ridge Boys,
Simon and Garfunkel Story, and the annual tribute to the iconic
band Queen called One Night of Queen.
BALLET VERO BEACH
The youngest to celebrate a decade is Ballet Vero Beach
with a 10th season that includes locally choreographed works
and an adapted traditional ballet that moved its setting to
the Indian River Lagoon — The Nutcracker on the Indian River.
Creative director and CEO Adam Schnell mused about the
early days. “Longevity … you know, it is funny, I used to
say IF Ballet Vero Beach keeps going and then around year
five I realized it was going, and going pretty well.
“Now, as I reflect on a decade of dance, we’re focused on
longevity and the truth is we have always been led by the
needs of our community and I have to imagine that is what
will ultimately lead to us having staying power.”
VERO BEACH THEATRE GUILD
Vero Beach Theatre Guild has the habit of reinventing its
building, making improvements that keep its theater fresh
and young despite its 65 years. COVID provided an oppor- >>