Founded in 1977

That's right folks, we've been around long enough now to have a history! It all started back in 1977 when a young, 24 year old U of A student, named Tony Terry Jr., grabbed a few great friends from the drama department, and headed to Alaska! Skagway Alaska to be exact. They founded the "Mighty Moose Melodrama Theatre" and the one and only production was called GOLD Fever! or Danger at Bonanza Creek!. This show was written by Howard Allen, designed and painted by Tom Benson and produced by Tony Terry. After a long, cold, and unprofitable summer, BUT FUN!, the troupe said, "The heck with this! Let's head back to the desert!". Shortly after their return to Tucson, and with the help of Tony's brother Tom, they opened The Gaslight Theatre in an old red barn at Trail Dust Town on Tanque Verde Road.

In spite of a slow beginning, we began to outgrow the old barn. (100 seats, 106 if we sat people on the bar!) So, we packed up once again and moved down the road to our third location at the corner of Sabino Canyon and Tanque Verde Road. Here, with the help of many friends in 1980, we designed and built a new theatre with 223 seats. What a change!

After ten great years at that location, we were fortunate enough to move, and this time actually purchase our new home; the old Jerry Lewis Theatre at the corner of Broadway and Kolb. Once again, doing most of the work ourselves, we renovated the theatre, and also built "Little Anthony's Diner" from the ground up.

Many of our artistic staff have been with us since the early years. Tom Benson, our resident scenic designer, and a founding partner, began with us in Skagway. the late Mr. Danny Griffith, "The King of the Melodrama Pianists", joined us during our second show The Sally Cathleen Claim or All That Glitters is not Gold! in 1978. David Darland, the youngest stage technician in our history, started in 1977. Patricia Gawne has designed all our fantastic costumes since 1979. Several of your favorite cast regulars also have been with us since the early years: Peter Van Slyke joined us in 1978 for our second season; Joe Cooper and Armen Dirtadian joined us in 1983.

Through the years we have been fortunate to have the talents of Tim Gilbert, "The Guy With The Eyes", Glenda Young, Donna Davis, Nancy LaViola and many others on our stage. Tim Gilbert was our first Gaslight actor to retire in January 2001. Are we that old already?

As we enter our 27th year of entertaining Tucson families, we are so grateful to our talented, dedicated actors, directors, musicians, & technicians - the hardest working in Arizona - MAYBE EVEN THE WORLD! The very creative Tom Benson for his beautiful scenic designs and spectacular special effects. Last but not least, how could we forget our fabulous audiences? Without you and your continuous support, we just wouldn't be the Gaslight Theatre we are today. So, we humbly dedicate this show to you.

And, as they say folks ... The rest is history!