FEBRUARY 2025 PART II

MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE

Est. 1944

Beginning in 1944 as a traveling troupe called the Marathon Little Theatre, our organization held its early productions at restaurants, hotels, City Hall and even the local High School. For just over 50-years, tents and travel trailers assembled in parking lots acted as the Backstage where actors donned their costumes and got into their make-up. In 1995, the MCT Board of Directors, our General Membership and the local community came together to raise the funds needed to purchase our current venue.

October, 2025 marks our 30 year celebration of calling 5101 Overseas Hwy our home. Built in 1959, this building has hosted hundreds of performances and showcased incredible talent. Over the years, it has weathered hurricanes and the effects of aging. This past year, our beloved venue underwent a much-needed spalling repair and an electrical upgrade, ensuring it remains a beacon for the arts for years to come. Over the next 12 months, we’ll honor our past while sharing ways you can help us build an even brighter future.

COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER........................

In 1997, patrons donated $500 each to bring theatre seating to MCT, nearly all 150 seats!

As you visit our theatre take notice of the donation plaques on each seat!!!

HERE ARE JUST A FEW.........

F9 DONATED BY Renee Parker

G13 DONATED BY Richard & Irene Switlik

C14 DONATED BY Diane Vanbeuren

HURRICANE IRMA

SEPTEMBER 2017

Hurricane Irma struck the Florida Keys on Sept. 10, 2017, as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 132 mph and storm surge up to 8 feet.

Our theatre was greatly impacted, but with the help of volunteers and generous fundraising we were able to open our doors, but NOT replace our roof.

FIRST SHOW after 2 months of beginning closed.

Starring: Devin Clarke & Kara Pascucci

This 2 Act musical explores whether a couple, once united by their dreams, can remain connected as their paths diverge. 

HURRICANE IRMA SEPTEMBER 10, 2017

Ocean Reef Community foundation donates $135,000 to MCT for Hurricane Relief.

FIRST MAIN STAGE SHOW AFTER IRMA MAY 2018

8 months after Irma, the theatre was able to perform a Main Stage production.

Director: Michael Chaplin

Assistant Director: Jim "Boomer" Kelly

Producer: Marilyn Tempest

Starring:

Devin Clarke, Marty Dillis, Jim "Boomer" Kelly, Norma-Jean Kelly, Jerry Nussenblatt & Brian Witte

When the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp, thirty-five-year-old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. In a hunting story to beat all hunting stories, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book.

Marathon Community Theatre & Cinema has been a cornerstone of creativity, culture, and connection for our community for decades. As we look ahead to 2025, we are launching our Remembering the Past, Rebuilding the Future campaign to ensure that this beloved space continues to inspire for generations to come. To achieve this, we need your support.

Our campaign focuses on addressing critical infrastructure needs—most urgently, replacing our aging roof and undertaking essential building repairs and upgrades. These improvements are vital to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment for our community to gather, perform, and create.

We are thrilled to announce a generous opportunity to double the impact of your contribution. Thanks to a matching donation challenge, every dollar you donate will be matched up to $50,000!

This means your support goes twice as far in helping us reach our goal!

Here’s how your gift will make a difference:

·       PHASE I  New Roof: Built in 1959, our building is in desperate need of a roof replacement. GOAL $250,000

·       PHASE II  Building Repairs and Upgrades: Creating a more accessible, comfortable, and functional space for performances, film screenings, and community events. GOAL $250,000

With your help, we can preserve the legacy of Marathon Community Theatre & Cinema while laying the foundation for an even brighter future.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today. You can donate online, mail a check, or in person at our box office.

Every dollar brings us closer to our goals—and thanks to the match, your generosity will have twice the impact.

Together, let’s remember the past, rebuild the future, and ensure that Marathon Community Theatre & Cinema continues to be a vibrant hub for our community.

Thank you for your continued support and belief in the power of the arts.



DOUBLE THE IMPACT, DOUBLE THE CHANGE

PHASE I

ROOF REPLACEMENT

Your donation can go even further!

Every contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000.

$20,000 RAISED SINCE JANUARY 1, 2025

That's $40,000 with our Match Donation!!

Marathon Community Theatre & Cinema is synonymous with the heart of cultural arts in Marathon with the goal of continuing to build community through art. We are the ONLY Community Theatre located in Monroe County and house the ONLY Theatre and Cinema within a 50-mile radius.

Our building was constructed in 1959, and it needs critical repairs.

With the 30-year anniversary of MCT purchasing the building quickly approaching, we are asking for your help to continue enriching the culture arts of our community for generations to come. Our aim is to produce engaging, inspiring, high quality theatrical productions that entertain our diverse community of local citizens, seasonal residents and large tourist population; train and support the next generation of theatre artists; provide arts education programs that promote life-long learning to our local community; and celebrate the essential power of the arts to illuminate our common humanity.

Marathon Community Theatre is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that is operated by a fully volunteer Board of Directors with a small paid staff