Arts & Entertainment
Molloy Celebrates Grand Opening of Madison Theatre
Martin Short hosted Saturday night's grand opening of the college's performing arts theater.
“You’re a very special audience to me,” comedian and Saturday Night Live alum Martin Short told a crowd of more than 500 at ’s new Madison Theatre on Saturday night. “I don’t wax for just anybody, and I can’t tell you how humbled your response makes a big star like me feel.”
This tongue-and-cheek humor, which drew applause and laughter from viewers, characterized Short’s hosting duties at Molloy’s 2011 gala event, which marked the opening of its new performing arts theatre. On a more serious note, Short said, “Having a regional theater this close to Manhattan is something worth celebrating.”
The theatre is a part of Molloy’s new , which opened in September. The Madison Theatre and the student center are part of a major transformation of Molloy’s campus, which also includes the recent opening of the school’s first residence hall.
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Saturday’s gala event at the theatre featured musical and comedy performances by Rachel Dratch, Mario Cantone and Scott Adsit, among others. The Young Symphonic Orchestra provided musical accompaniment for the evening.
The event also honored Molloy president Drew Bogner with a Lifetime Achievement Award and Sister Mary Hughes of the Sisters of St. Dominic with a Distinguished Alumni Award. “We are especially fortunate to pay recognition to our two honorees,” said gala co-chair John D. Cameron, Jr. “This evening is also a night of entertainment and fun to be enjoyed by all.”
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The opening of the Madison Theatre will create many opportunities for student involvement, according to Jacquelyn Rath, assistant director of public relations at Molloy. Students will be able to volunteer in the theatre and purchase discounted tickets to the professional products. In addition, there will be some student performances.
“We believe that an education in the arts is essential to the education of the entire person,” explained Rath. “So having the Madison Theatre on campus will allow Molloy to continue its mission of educating the wider community.”
In the coming months, the Madison Theatre will host Steve Solomon’s one-man show, My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m In Therapy, the Shuffle Concert, blues production From My Hometown, and a guitar performance by Bernie Williams.
