The Garry Marshall Theatre

September 2021 through august 2022 was a mini arts renaissance for The Garry Marshall Theatre. Our first live, in-person production since The march 2020 shutdown opened to rejoicing families who filled The theater with a joyful noise in response to The highly-anticipated original musical "The root beer bandits." The funded project was a stunning way reopen our doors and welcome The community back to our intimate venue. And for those arts-lovers who were still hesitant to join in group gatherings, we showcased five new plays in our annual new works festival. This streaming festival allowed for audiences to experience these diverse stories from their homes. The winter season at Garry Marshall Theatre was a community favorite. We partnered with los angeles' beloved troubadour theater company in a re-imagined production of "santa claus is comin' to motown." The musical boasted a five-piece live band on stage and a cast of ten. The production was a financially beneficial for both gmt and troubadour in a combined effort to bring back audiences to live Theatre. For those around The world who needed a boost of holiday cheer, we streamed our all new christmas special "holidaze harmony: a soulful christmas" with terron brooks and kamilah Marshall. This marked our second year pivoting our annual live event to a multi-cam holiday tv special. Further establishing The gmt as a place for vibrant storytelling and unique experiences, we partnered with impro Theatre in a never-before-presented "jane austen unscripted" tea party in our new outdoor courtyard space. Guests were treated to tea, treats, a marvelous tea party setting and a fully-improvised play in The style of jane austen. The audience appeal was so great that weekly performances were added in addition to an extension. Again, gmt was able to re-gain more financial stability, at The same time introducing The public to The new outdoor venue. The summer of 2022 was brimming with eduction, appearances by inspiring broadway names, and stunning musical experiences. Young people and families were treated to The second edition of "family garden days." Education, exploration, creativity and discovery are The tentpoles of this program that brings story Theatre, gardening, visual arts and learning to The community. With The young readers' novel "seedfolk" as narrative that all elements are built from, this program saw generations sharing in togetherness and participation in The live arts experience. Appearances by tony-winner jerry mitchell and guests including billy porter provided an unmatched theatrical conversation on The gmt stage as a summer fundraiser for The venue. The summer fundraising effort continued with a three-night, sold-out, one woman musical "legally brunette" starring natalie lander. Bringing many new patrons to The venue, this empowering solo-show was truly connected to Garry's legacy as natalie's father is known to The world as 'squiggy' of The marshall-produced tv series "laverne & shirley." To round out The summer on 2022, gmt produced The first outdoor "summer concert series." This 5-night program showcased singers from various backgrounds and appeal in five nights under The stars. This program was able to establish The gmt's outdoor venue as a nighttime home to events, concerts and experiences. It was a banner year of cultivating community, offering sensational diversity in programming, and highlighting The unique experiences that gmt offers to The greater los angeles and streaming arts landscape.