All School - All Parish

Way Off Broadway

Way Off Broadway - the name is a reminder that although we always strive for excellence we are all ordinary people who have been blessed with different talents and are motivated to use these talents for the enjoyment of others and the good of everyone involved.

The seeds of Way Off Broadway were sown in 1963 when Jean Walsh, the Guild President, convinced the late and much loved Tom Folliard who in turn convinced Mille and Ted Cronin that putting on a show, ("Sounds of Broadway") was the way to get the newer and older sections of St. Linus Parish together.

By 1970 the parish, the school and the parish debt had grown significantly so Barbara Ryan, the Guild President, had the idea that another venture into "Show Biz" was absolutely necessary to raise the needed funds. Since the first show was such a community builder and spiritual success Tom, Mille and Ted agreed to try it again with a slightly different format in order to raise the needed revenue. "T.M.T. Productions" would produce and direct a Palace Variety Show and four mini-musicals each year. A committee headed by a Chairperson and Co-chairpeople would run the business end of the venture and new chairpeople would be chosen each year.

The first Way Off Broadway in 1971 attracted 3,100 customers and brought in $24,000 net income to the parish. More importantly, between 600 and 700 parishioners worked as bartenders, waitresses, show room captains, maitre'd, electricians, ticket sellers, ad sellers, seamstresses, chefs, security, lighting people, etc., while about 125 parishioners were performers in the five shows. All ages helped and were involved, the seniors handled Ticket Central and the Donut Shoppe, teenagers were runners and delivered food and performers ranged in age from 22 to 76.

Each year since then, except our hiatus years, we start working on next year's show within weeks after closing night. Way Off Broadway volunteers work year round. All our workers buy tickets just like you, the audience, as their financial contribution to W.O.B. and St. Linus Parish.

Starting in 1976, each of the mini-musicals had its own director. Having worked closely with the original producers, in 1987, Marie Hayes and Paul Nirchi successfully took over as producers of Way Off Broadway and directors of the Palace. In 1996, Marie Hayes returned as co-producer along with her daughter, Margaret Hayes. Hannah Hayes joined Margaret as directors of the Palace.

At the end of our 24th year, 1998, well over 100,000 customers have come through our Way Off Broadway façade and enjoyed an evening of show biz and fun. St. Linus Parish has netted over $1,000,000 in 24 years of Way Off Broadway.

As a result of all this, St. Linus gained a new and powerful unity, increased participation in all phases of parish life and instilled a loving spirit of friendship and cooperation that lives on today.

NOTE: The above article was written in the 1998 Way Off Broadway ad book.