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March, 1994, Western Door President, Margaret Laurie, was asked by the Village
of Lewiston, New York, to write a historical play about the founding of the town.
The residents had made the ÒSquare Mile VillageÓ the center of commerce on the
Niagara Frontier in the early 19th century. When the finished product, CenterÕs
Stages, was performed for free at the Village Gazebo, Laurie knew she had a hit,
and the Western Door Playhouse was born. Although
WDP wasnÕt officially founded under its present name until 1998, Laurie authored
and produced two additional plays about the history of Lewiston, Blood on the
Western Door, which covers the development of the Village during the 18th century,
and Freedom Passage, which chronicles Western New YorkÕs role as a nodal point
of passage on the Underground Railroad. In
2000, WDP expanded its artistic mission by including non-historical drama in its
mainstage season, which took place at Artpark at the Church. Arsenic and
Old Lace, written by Lewiston's own Joseph Kesselring, met with rave reviews and
sold-out houses. Later, in the late spring of 2001, WDP concluded its third
official season with Neil SimonÕs memorable war of the sexes, Barefoot in the
Park. Again, reviews were testament to the fact that WDP was blossoming
into the premier professional playhouse in the region. In
2001 WDP moved to the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center (NACC)Ñthe site of the
ÒoldÓ Niagara Falls High SchoolÑits permanent home. In the wake of September
11th, members of our creative team held an impromptu brainstorming session.
Out of this was born Let Freedom Sing...& Dance, WDP's original musical salute
to America. This production chronicled the role of music during times of
America's involvement in conflict at home and abroad. While well received
and enjoyed by the general public and critics alike, this production also served
to open this new venue to the local community. Western
Door Playhouse, Inc. is committed to becoming a permanent presence in Niagara
County, being a central player in the revitalization of Niagara Falls, New York,
and contributing to the enduring heritage of the Niagara region and the world.
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