[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 86 (Friday, May 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JON KIMBELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN F. TIERNEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2008

  Mr. TIERNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jon Kimbell, 
Artistic Director and Executive Producer of the North Shore Music 
Theatre (NSMT) in Beverly, Massachusetts, who after twenty-five years 
is retiring and embarking upon the next stage of his illustrious career 
in musical theatre.
  Jon Kimbell has been at the helm of NSMT for nearly half of its 
existence. During that time, he provided the inspiration, experience 
and leadership that transformed the NSMT from a seasonal summer stock 
theater to a year round operation. Jon's energy and enthusiasm were 
contagious, and in partnership with a dedicated staff and a committed 
Board of Trustees, Mr. Kimbell oversaw the theatre's expansion from a 
$1 million organization with 7,000 subscribers in 1983 to a $14 million 
operation with 20,000 subscribers in 2008.
  The North Shore Music Theatre helped make the region north of Boston 
a major destination in the cultural tourism industry. During Jon's 
tenure, NSMT became a nationally-recognized venue, and it has been 
named the second largest performing arts organization in the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts by Boston Business Journal. Jon Kimbell 
and the North Shore Music Theatre are important pistons in the engine 
of the creative economy that attracts so many to the North Shore--both 
to live permanently and to visit repeatedly.
  For a quarter of a century, Jon was true to the mission of the NSMT, 
and he worked tirelessly to increase the awareness, significance and 
celebration of musical theater and the performing arts through superb 
entertainment and educational programs. Under his tutelage, the North 
Shore Music Theatre established initiatives that expanded the horizons 
of countless thousands every year--from special needs populations, to 
underserved communities, to pre-professionals in training programs, and 
the theatre supported the development of an inter-generational musical 
theater program that united senior citizens and elementary school 
students.
  Perhaps one of Jon's greatest achievements came at the most 
challenging of times. In the wake of a devastating 2005 fire that 
nearly destroyed the building, Jon guided the theatre with a firm hand 
and resolve, and utilizing his ever-resourceful personality and 
connections, he successfully arranged for NSMT to produce much of its 
season at the Shubert Theatre in Boston. Jon brought life to the old 
adage that ``The show must go on!'' He went on to spearhead a recovery 
effort that allowed NSMT to reopen a mere 110 days after the fire.
  It is appropriate that the House recognize this personal milestone of 
Jon Kimbell. He has been accorded the accolades and been named 
recipient of numerous industry awards, and he will be remembered 
locally for having written and created one of the North Shore's valued 
holiday traditions, A Christmas Carol. His contributions to the quality 
of life for the people of the North Shore and beyond cannot be 
overestimated and will last into the future. Jon Kimbell was an engaged 
and contributing member of the North Shore community.
  Bravo, Jon Kimbell!

                          ____________________