[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. MICHAEL PRICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 15, 2014

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Michael 
Price and to celebrate his distinguished career leading the Goodspeed 
Opera House.
  As a fixture of the celebrated Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, 
Connecticut since its opening in 1963, Michael has devoted his career 
to the dramatic arts. Filling the role of Executive Director at 
Goodspeed for the past 46 years, Michael has preserved the legacy of 
the Victorian theatre building which was originally built in 1876.
  With an unwavering flair and talent for the theatre, Michael 
graduated from the Yale School of Drama and became involved in 
Goodspeed from its very first season. Taking up the Executive Director 
position at the theatre five years later, Michael has built Goodspeed 
to become not only a local treasure for Connecticut, but also a 
national icon for the arts community.
  With highlights including the birth of successful musicals such as 
``Annie,'' ``Shenandoah,'' and ``Man of La Mancha,'' Goodspeed under 
Michael's leadership has made a significant contribution to the 
American dramatic arts, launching some of our nation's most beloved 
music and theater. Goodspeed Opera House is the first regional theater 
to receive over 12 Tony Awards and two Special Tony Awards, for 
outstanding Contributions to the American musical in 1980 and for 
outstanding achievement for regional theater in 1995. Goodspeed 
continues to produce three musicals a year, with nineteen Goodspeed 
productions moving on to Broadway. In the 50 years since they opened 
their doors, the Goodspeed Opera House remains committed to their 
original mission of restoring and revitalizing the heritage of the 
American musical theater through premiering new musicals and rethinking 
old favorites.
  Balancing his devotion to the Goodspeed Opera House and its smaller 
counterpart the Norma Terris Theatre in neighboring Chester, Michael 
has also remained an active advocate for Connecticut's arts and tourism 
industries. Serving as Chairman of the Connecticut Commission on the 
Arts and Connecticut Culture and Tourism Advisory Committee, I was 
honored to get to know Michael during a 2010 trade mission to Israel. 
On that occasion, I observed firsthand the passion with which he 
encouraged Israelis to choose Connecticut as a vacation destination and 
to promote Goodspeed productions in Jerusalem
  During his long career, Michael has become an irreplaceable part of 
the Connecticut arts community, as well as an inspiration to American 
theatre. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the career of Mr. 
Michael Price.

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