On Sunday, Sept. 14 there was a party at the Sea View Theatre in recognition of the “coming back to life” of our community theatre.  While major donors to the campaign to raise funds for a new digital projector were those primarily honored, everyone could enjoy the classic film, “The African Queen” for $15 entrance fee (net revenue after costs to be used for further improvements).  The quality of sound and sight was incredible, making Bogart’s and Hepburn’s scenes in the African wilds even more memorable than most of us remember.

Behind the campaign to renew the theatre is a hardworking group of Orcas residents headed by Donna Laslo, including Jared Lovejoy, Ian Woolworth, Valerie Harris, Matthew Laslo, Ingrid McClinton and John Mount. Tremendous thanks go to Donna and her team for saving this historic building, and for their continued enthusiasm for making improvements. Plans call for new seats, more varied productions at the theater, projection of athletic events, film festivals, and more. Thank you, Donna, for inspiring us all with your vision of a fine neighborhood theatre.

Anne Hay

Orcas Island

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The Sea View Theatre hosted a “Red Carpet Gala: A Retro Hollywood Party” on Sept. 14, celebrating the Orcas community who saved the Sea View Theatre.

This was a fantastic night and it really felt like Hollywood right here in Eastsound!  There are many people to thank who contributed and made this event so special.  My deepest thank-you to Veronica San Martin and Orcas Events for generously donating everything we needed to make it such a glamorous affair! We couldn’t have done it without you!

A huge thank you to the volunteers who put it all together: Valerie Harris and New Dawn Catering; Flowers by Leslie Ginnis, Sarah McCulloch and Anne Hay; the paparazzi; Paul and Peter Kamen; Jared Lovejoy and The Barnacle; The Orcas Center; antique cars by Jim Hamilton and Dwight Guss; Orcas Issues and Islands’ Sounder for media coverage. Extra special thanks to the hardworking production team: John Mount and Ingrid McClinton, Michel Vekved, Julie Pinardi, Matthew Laslo, Marty Graves, Sukima Hampton, Susan Slapin, Michelle Gregg, Ruth Anne Comrie, Robert Hall and White Construction. A grateful Hollywood hurrah for our wonderful musicians for the evening: Martin Lund, Gene Nery, Grace McCune, Kellen Comrie and Stormy Hildreth.

I loved how the community showed up, dressed to excess and became celebrities, at least for the night! Thanks again to all the donors – and we sold many seats in our “Replace All of the Seats” campaign!

I feel grateful and lucky to live in a community of such wonderful people.

Donna Laslo and Friends of The Sea View Theatre