By Lynda Sturner**** Provincetown is a town like no other. In most places, when a real estate owner decides to make changes to his property, he makes a business plan, files the necessary papers to get the permits to proceed and eight out of 10 times, he accomplishes what he set out to do.
But Ptown is different. When Art House owner, Ben DeRuyter, announced plans to eliminate two 100-seat theatres in his building and replace them with a pub-brewery, a great brew ha-ha happened.
Artists, writers and performers rose up in protest. Many, including Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner, wrote letters and articles that appeared in the Provincetown Banner and The Boston Globe. The Provincetown International Film Festival threatened to move the festival to another town.
These two intimate theatres at The Art House have long been a center for world-class entertainment during the summer months. It closes for the winter, but in season from Sunday to Sunday, it’s jam-packed with performers, drag queens such as Varla Jean Merman and Jinx Monsoon, comics like Judy Gold and the world famous string quartet, Well Strung. This eclectic mix of players play to sold out houses.
Eight years ago, Producing Artistic Director, Mark Cortale, took over the booking and brought Broadway @ The Art House there. With Sirius XM radio star Seth Rudetsky as music director and host, superstars such as Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Judy Kuhn, Idina Menzel, Mario Cantone, Betty Buckley, Sutton Foster, Marilyn Maye, Norm Lewis, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are among the many who played this venue.
Rudetsky has worked with and interviewed everyone who is anyone on Broadway and he knows these players well and knows how to get them to tell their stories. He asks, they talk, they sing and there’s lots of laughter and fun. The best part is, you get to be upfront and close to these amazing performers. Usually, you see them on a big Broadway stage or concert hall. It’s exhilarating!
The Provincetown International Film Festival has been using that space for twenty years.
Producer David Flowers created a haunted house with a twist. His immersive, interactive Halloween and Christmas shows are a phantasmagorical experience.
The Art House has played a significant role in the history of the arts in Ptown.
When Ben DeRuyter read these articles and letters, he responded in The Provincetown Community Space, an online posting site. Here are some excerpts, from his remarkable letter:
“The decisions I make as a property owner and community member here in Provincetown, have always been made with an eye towards the long view and a constant desire to be constantly evolving and improving. But that isn’t to say that I always get it right.
“In this case, I was mistaken about just how important The Art House is to our community. To those of you who helped me realize this, thank you. Your passion is making a difference.
“So here’s what I intend to do! Our property and my business is in need of retooling and renovation. We will develop a plan that incorporates a state of the arts performing venue, suitable for cinema, theatre, cabaret and music acts alike. We will marry the venue seamlessly with an expanded restaurant and Provincetown’s first pub-brewery.
“We will work with town officials to permit and build a venue that will serve our community, our stakeholders, including our exceptional staff, for many years to come. And this business, the entire business, will operate year-round.”
Only in Ptown, cabaret lovers, only in Ptown.
