Freeman Stage celebrating 10 years with big names

Looking back on it now, it may seem inevitable that the Freeman Stage would be successful.

But that wasn't always the case.

Patti Grimes, Freeman Stage executive director, said 10 years ago, when the Freeman Stage opened, Sussex County needed a space for the arts – but it wasn't clear how the community would respond when the Freeman Stage opened.

Hundreds of performances and hundreds of thousands of patrons later, the answer is clear – the community wants and continues to want to experience the arts.

"We are truly grateful to the community for embracing our mission and helping us bring the arts to Delmarva," Grimes said during the March 15 announcement for the 2017 summer season.

Michelle Freeman, president and CEO of the Carl M. Freeman Companies, announced the season's big acts, but she did go off script briefly to comment on how important the arts have been in her life when she was growing up in Wilmington and seeing shows at the DuPont Theatre.

Arts give hope and joy, said Freeman, before quickly moving into what the enthusiastic crowd had come to hear – the season's lineup.

The Freeman Stage's 2017 season features more than 50 performances.

This season's national acts show why the Freeman Stage has continued to grow.

Those performers and dates include the Tedeschi Trucks Band, June 17; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, June 18; The Stray Cat Lee Rocker, June 24; comedian and former Tonight Show host Jay Leno, June 30; The O'Jays, July 1; Dustin Lynch & Granger Smith, July 6; Blues Traveler; July 11; The Wallflowers and Better than Ezra, July 12; Gary Clark Jr., July 17; Hunter Hayes, July 28; Michael Franti & Spearhead, July 29; Sutton Foster, July 30; Chicago, Aug. 1; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Aug. 3; Mary Chapin Carpenter, Aug. 8; Joey Alexander Trio, Aug. 12; and Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Aug. 22.

Gov. John Carney said he was blown away by the enthusiasm and sense of community.  Providing an outlet for the arts here in Sussex County is really important, said the governor, and most importantly, he added, it's fun.

Sussex County County Administrator Todd Lawson said the county was proud to be a small part in the success of the Freeman Stage.

The county has provided transportation for students who otherwise wouldn’t have the ability to get to the stage for performances.

“This is a big deal,” he said of the service the stage provides.

Lawson wasn’t there only to represent the county. As the father of two kids, both younger than 10, he said they’ve grown up coming to the stage for performances and making memories.

“We’re waiting for those July nights,” he said.

Stephanie Cohen, a volunteer captain, is a self-described old-timer of the stage. She’s been volunteering since year one. She said she appreciated the unique variety of shows the stage brings to the community annually.

“This is the little stage that could,” she said.

The Freeman Stage is a program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, and is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Performances are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

For more information on this season’s events, a full list of performers or to find out how to volunteer at The Freeman Stage, call 302-436-3015 or go to freemanstage.org.