‘Doesn’t it look great?’
Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse reopens, comes ‘full circle’
Marshalltown Community Theatre actors Tim Polzin and John Gill perform part of “You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water’s Running” on Friday night for the reopening of the Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse.
Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center (MACC) Board President Nick O’Toole, who is also the great-nephew of Martha-Ellen Tye, described the reopening event as a “full circle moment.”
Nearly every seat in the Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse theater is filled as the audience waits for a special performance of “You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water is Running.” Each guest had a free bag of Lillie Mae popcorn waiting on their seats.
The Marshalltown public got the first look at the restored and renovated Martha Ellen-Tye Playhouse foyer. Some updates have been included, such as an elevator.
T-R PHOTOS BY LANA BRADSTREAM The lights are back on at the Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse. There was a reopening Friday night, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation.
Marshalltown Community Theatre actors Tim Polzin and John Gill perform part of “You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water’s Running” on Friday night for the reopening of the Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse.
Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center (MACC) Board President Nick O’Toole, who is also the great-nephew of Martha-Ellen Tye, described the reopening event as a “full circle moment.”
Nearly every seat in the Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse theater is filled as the audience waits for a special performance of “You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water is Running.” Each guest had a free bag of Lillie Mae popcorn waiting on their seats.
The Marshalltown public got the first look at the restored and renovated Martha Ellen-Tye Playhouse foyer. Some updates have been included, such as an elevator.
T-R PHOTOS BY LANA BRADSTREAM The lights are back on at the Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse. There was a reopening Friday night, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation.
Trending
After six long years, the Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse reopened for business and artistic pleasure on Friday night, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation.
Tickets for the performance, which were all purchased by the foundation and distributed for free, went quickly, and almost every seat in the theater was filled. It was the public's first opportunity to view the renovated and restored space.
Tye's great-nephew Nick O'Toole, who is also the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center (MACC) Foundation board president, said the event was a celebration of generosity, resilience, patience and the power of community.
"This is not simply the reopening of the building, it's a return of a community space -- a place for stories, music, learning, celebration and connection," he said. "We're excited to raise the curtain once again tonight."
The curtain rose to the Marshalltown Community Theatre's special performance of "You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running," the first ever production upon the MET stage, which first opened its doors on May 9, 1969. O'Toole described it as a meaningful, full-circle moment.
"The August 2020 derecho caused severe damage and a long and complex recovery," he said. "What started as repair became complex restoration and modernization, which was made possible by careful planning, fundraising, insurance coordination, design, construction and extraordinary perseverance."
O'Toole said the playhouse is now welcoming, safe and functional. Some of the repairs and renovations included:
A new exterior ADA-accessible ramp;
Installation of an interior accessibility lift;
Updated ADA-compliant restrooms;
Improvements to the foyer HVAC system;
New carpeting throughout portions of the facility;
Updated audience seating;
Technology upgrades, including the production booth;
New windows and exterior improvements;
Enhanced exterior signage.
"Doesn't it look great?" he asked the audience, who responded with enthusiastic applause.
Emcee David Clark said the night was not only a milestone but also a celebration of a woman whose legacy continues to shape Marshalltown -- Martha-Ellen Tye.
"An anniversary like this is fully possible because of the people who decided they would carry the mission forward," he told the audience.
Two more of Tye's family members and foundation board members spoke about the legacy of their great aunt Tye and about the foundation. Board President Matt Fisher said he was happy the evening had finally arrived and thanked current and former board members for their leadership.
A fan of performing arts, Kara O'Toole said she knew Tye as "Aunt Sis" and was honored to be part of the board and foundation. She spoke with many Marshalltown residents about memories or stories regarding her great-aunt.
O'Toole was told Tye had a "remarkably strong constitution," was "iconoclastic," "humble in the best way, "Iowa's biggest fan," "tireless" and "always there for the momentous events no matter how hard it was to get there."
"The stories are delightful and deeply personal," O'Toole said. "'Aunt Sis' had the magical ability to make anyone feel like they are the center, the protagonist of the story. 'Aunt Sis' was the ultimate booster of our dreams and our pursuits."
Tye was a fearless advocate for performing arts and supported O'Toole's aspiration of becoming a professional dancer. She likes to think she is channeling the performing arts commitment of 'Aunt Sis' as she sits on the foundation board.
"Here's to 'Aunt Sis.' She was simply the best," O'Toole said. "She loved you, Marshalltown. She loved her family and she loved a live performance."
Starting on the reopening night, the stage will once again host theater productions, dance and piano recitals, school performances and other creative programs.
"We hope the restored playhouse honors its history while opening new possibilities for creativity and belonging," Nick O'Toole said. ". . . May this playhouse remain a place where imagination takes the stage and neighbors come together. Welcome back to the Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse."
Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.