The thunderstorms that rolled through town last week went by relatively unnoticed by most, but not for those who regularly attend Mill Creek Park’s “LIVE! At the Morley” summer concert series. Easy Street Productions was scheduled to perform on Wednesday, August 11th, the troupe’s first live concert in over 18 months due to the pandemic. Any other year the two organizations may have thought, “Oh well, better luck next year.” But this year marks the 30th anniversary between the two organizations, and neither of them wanted to let a little rain put a damper on things. Before the first raindrop fell, Mill Creek Park’s recreation manager Chris Bundy was on the phone with Todd Hancock with an idea of how to postpone the concert and make it part of an even bigger event on August 25th.
Mill Creek Park and Easy Street Productions first started collaborating back in 1991 when the park was celebrating its 100th anniversary. The park asked Easy Street cofounders Todd Hancock and Maureen Collins to develop a show that could tour local schools and help educate children about Mill Creek’s history and importance. The show titled “Volney Rogers Goes to School” was a big success, entertaining thousands of school children, with Hancock portraying Mill Creek Park founder Volney Rogers and Collins as “Mother Nature.”
The collaborations continued when the Morley Pavilion was constructed in 1994. Hancock was brought in as a consultant on its design, and Easy Street Productions was booked as the finale for the Morley’s inaugural summer concert season. Easy Street holds the distinction of being the only act that has been invited back to perform every year since its construction. In the 25 years before the pandemic, Easy Street has had to cancel only once due to rain. Thankfully this year’s concert could be rescheduled and is now part of a much larger family event.
On August 25th, Mill Creek Park will host “Family Fun Nite” featuring a free concert by Easy Street Productions, followed by an outdoor showing of Disney’s latest animated feature film, “Raya and the Last Dragon.” The concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. on the Morley Pavilion stage and afterward, an inflatable movie screen will be added for the Disney film beginning at dusk. As an added bonus, Mill Creek Park is offering a “Summer Deal” from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Wick Recreation Area of unlimited Par-3 Golf, Batting Cages, Tennis, Volleyball, Dek Hockey, and the Wet Playground. The cost is $25.00 for families with up to five members, $7.00 for each additional person. Families can register in person, or by calling 330.740.7114. Both the concert and movie are free.
Easy Street will be heading back to Mill Creek Park for its annual Halloween musical workshop beginning on September 25th. Maureen Collins will lead “Zombie Camp at the Morley” for kids ages 3 through teens. The workshop will feature Halloween’s greatest hits with choreography by Colleen Chance and Megan Cleland. For information and registration form email EasyStreetShows@aol.com.
