Roanoke Colonies Research Newsletter
Volume 5.2 (May 1998)

The Lost Colony Revamped and Waterside Theatre Renovated for 1998 Season

Paul Green’s symphonic drama The Lost Colony, a major tourist attraction on Roanoke Island with connections to the English colonization attempts on the island in the 1580s, has been revamped for the summer of 1998.

Drew Harris, a 27-year veteran of both on and off Broadway, has taken over as artistic director for the show which has been in production almost every summer since 1937. Artistic changes include returning to the use of the theater’s organ to provide live musical accompaniment. Technical changes in the production include the use of body microphones. Additionally, a state-of-the-art sound system has been brought in. Finally, the roof and top floor of the lighting shack have been raised four feet to allow improved lighting of the production.

Just as dramatic are the changes to the Waterside Theatre. For the audience, the most significant change is in seating. The theater’s wooden benches have been replaced by individual stadium-style seats. Changes to improve wheelchair accessibility include space for wheelchairs at the ends of rows rather than just at the back of the theater. In addition, restrooms have been enlarged and renovated, the rain shelter is more than twice its earlier size, and concession stands have been built on both sides of the rain shelters. For the cast and crew, the dressing room and costume area have been enlarged, including the addition of climate controlled costume storage.

The 61st production season of The Lost Colony runs from June 5 to August 28. Shows are nightly except Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Ticket information is available through the Roanoke Island Historical Association, producers of The Lost Colony, at 1409 Highway 64/264, Roanoke Island, NC 27954, by phone at (252) 473-3414, via e-mail at <lstclny@interpath.com>, or through the World Wide Web at <http://www.outerbanks-nc.com/lost colony/>.

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