Por (therefore: Sp.)

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From Page C2

ABOVE: Kyle Einweck, pianist, directs performers during a rehearsal of Mary Poppins. BELOW: Kyle Jackson, right, director and choreographer, and actors Judah Sanders and Tessa Fray rehearse their roles.

Actors performed their scenes at home in front of green screens with musical numbers recorded at the theater with each person individually.

And while the results drew raves — Enterprise theater critic Bev Sykes said “Cinderella’s” opening number “is so well sung and danced that it’s difficult to believe that all those people aren’t on the stage together” — it was enormous work for the Issacsons.

“And I did not really enjoy it,” admitted Steve Issacson, “because it was like 300 videos that had to be taken, we had to record them in front of a green screen, and then we had to do 500 to 700 hours of editing, but I had no idea what I was doing. Not a clue.”

It was also a money-losing endeavor.

Fortunately, Issacson said, DMTC received state grants early on and a $100,000 loan from the Small Business Administration that covered the rent for eight or nine months — enough, he thought, to get them through to January 2021 which is “when we thought it would all be over.”

“Best laid plans,” said Issacson.

A return to live theater in January wasn’t to be. But it has since arrived. The production of “Camelot,” which was halted after one week in March 2020, finally returned for two week in August.

“We’re back live, so that’s good,” Issacson said as the show got underway. “It’s nice to be rehearsing. It’s nice to see people.”

Of course live theater has not completely returned to its prepandemic ways.

DMTC, in particular, is strict about COVID-19 protocols.

Everyone entering the theater — including cast members, crew and audience members — must show they are fully vaccinated. The only exception is for those under 12 who are ineligible for the vaccines. They must show proof of a negative COVID test taken in the previous 72 hours.

And everyone must wear masks.

“There are a lot of places that are not wearing masks,” Issacson said. “It’s really hard to sing and dance in masks, but I’m not going to break the law. I’m not going to bend the law. If that’s what the public health department says, that’s what we’re going to do. And that’s what we’re doing until we hear otherwise.”

The actors use microphones on stage and a few tweaks to the sound system ensured their voices sound clear and unmuffled despite the masks, Issacson said.

Jan Issacson, who directed “Camelot,” ensured everyone had 10-minute “breathing breaks” where they could go outside, socially distance and remove their masks.

And after 17 months away, Steve Issacson said he had to “remember how everything worked.”

“I haven’t programmed lights for 17 months. I haven’t used our ticketing system. I went, ‘How do I do this again?’”

Now it’s all back on track with some exciting productions ahead.

“Titanic: The Musical,” for example, features a false stage on top of the stage which is lifted into the air on a 40-degree angle to simulate a sinking ship.

“It is the coolest, coolest effect,” Issacson said.

In addition to “Titanic” (which runs Nov. 12 to Dec. 5), other coming main stage shows include “Mary Poppins,” which opens Sept. 17; “The Producers” (Jan. 7-30) and “Urinetown” (March 4-27).

The Young Performers’ Theatre is also back, with “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” opening on Sept. 25 and “Disney’s The Lion King Junior” on Nov. 20.

DMTC offered its 2019-20 and 2020-21 season ticket holders this 2021-22 season at no charge. It was a bit of a financial hit, but the company has received a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant — part of the American Rescue Plan Act — which was aimed at ensuring places like DMTC were still standing when

See DMTC, Page C8