In 1981 John F. McDonald, Jr. began
a summer troupe producing one show a year. He called this organization The
Quincy Community Theatre. Three years earlier Mr.
McDonald created JM Productions as an
entertainment producer. His company worked with local schools & church
organizations to assemble creative teams to produce full scale
musicals for fundraising efforts. JM Productions hired choreographers,
lighting designers, directors, music directors & actors to
help create “quality entertainment at reasonable prices” for
these groups. This became the “mantra” for JM Productions.
Previously, proposition 2 ½ had cut all funding for community
theatre in Quincy, leaving the city without a theatrical artistic
outlet. The city was lucky to have The Quincy Symphony
Orchestra, Choral Society & Art
Association. Mr. McDonald felt it was time for Quincy
to once again have a place for local residents to see and participate
in community theatre. The small group started with a modest grant
from The Quincy Arts Council and money raised at various fundraising
efforts. Even after a few successful shows, the company still had
to rent various halls and school auditoriums for lack of their
own performance space.
In 1989 JM Productions & The Quincy Community Theatre approached
The Woodward School Foundation in Quincy to collaborate under their
non-profit 501c3 status. This collaboration lasted for 10 successful
years. The companies collaborated on three major musicals a year.
Students at the school participated behind the scenes as well as
on the stage. Community members played major roles in the operation
of the company as well as on the stage. During the ten years, The
Quincy Community Theatre evolved from a struggling summer group
to an established and respected company, producing ten years of “Quality
Entertainment at Reasonable Prices” to the delight of thousands
on the South Shore.
After a brief hiatus the group moved its entire operations to The
Common Market Restaurant in Quincy, MA. The idea to elevate
the groups’ status from community based to semi professional
dinner theatre came from patrons who regularly suggested that it
would be great to have “One Stop Shopping” when it
came to their entertainment and dining needs. The Common Market
Restaurant took a chance on the concept and JM Productions had
three successful years producing 6 shows a year in the restaurant
function facility. The venue only held 75 patrons so after three
successful years the company approached Raffael’s
Restaurant in North Quincy, MA to rent their 125 seat
venue. For seven additional years JM Productions presented monthly
musical events. The reviews were tremendous and over 5000 people
asked to be entered into JM’s data base. When Raffael’s
lost their lease and traveled to Hull to take over Siro’s
on Nantasket Beach at The Clarion Hotel, JM Productions made the
decision to follow Raffael's. After a brief relationship at “The
Den” on Sea Street (small cabaret room) the theatrical
company continued in earnest its quest to open a stand alone facility
not affiliated with any restaurant or other business. Our customers
spoke loud and clear so we listened ~ patrons want a weekend night
spot that offers entertainment and light refreshments. The search
is still on for a downtown location for our productions.
Please stay tuned as we continue on our journey to provide South
Shore audiences with many more nights of “Quality Entertainment”!
JM Production's Mission Statement
To provide an entertainment venue that promotes a wide range
of theatrical, music and visual art programs for Massachusetts'
South Shore and surrounding communities. JM Productions will
be the link to the City of Quincy and its rich cultural history.
Our philosophy is having an “open door to the arts” for
all who enter our venues. JM Productions also continues to
be the leader in the community to bring a state of the art
cultural center to Quincy, Massachusetts.
Learn more about John's exciting life as assistant
to the stars!
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