The Town Players of Newtown is back in business.

After a year and a half of darkened stages, theaters of all sizes, from community and regional to Broadway, are beginning to open their doors, sweep the stage, dust off the musical instruments, and get actors on their feet and audiences in the seats.

Town Players of Newtown is no different. Board members, actors, entertainers and directors are readying a season with a wide variety of performances to take in.

The Little Theater in Newtown, which the Town Players calls home, not only weathered the pandemic, the Orchard Hill Road building also survived a water leak and tree limbs crashing down on its roof. With much determination, optimism, and support from the community, board members brought this jewel box of a theater back to life.

A recent Saturday afternoon chat with Brian DeToma found the Town Players board chair in what he refers to as his happy place: the newly renovated lobby of the theater. DeToma explained that he, his board, cast members, and tech crew — many who have been with the Town Players for years — find the theater to be a home away from home.

DeToma first became interested in acting while in high school, when he was cast in Arsenic and Old Lace. After that he was hooked.

He studied theater at SUNY Oswego and went on to do summer stock in Auburn N.Y. After 25 years of community theater in New York, DeToma found his way to Connecticut, hoping to discover opportunities to perform and direct. He was pleasantly surprised, he said, by the plethora of venues and opportunities available to actors.

DeToma has held his position on the Town Players board since 2017. He has also worked with Ridgefield Theater Barn as both an actor and a director. His dedication is palpable.

Following the abrupt cancellation of performances in March 2020, the Town Players then shelved plans for the entire 2020 season. One previously planned performance, The Elephant Man, will now be performed this summer, opening August 13, with the majority of its original cast.

In November, the Town Players will stage The Fantasticks. The other plays slated for 2020 will be staged in 2022, along with two new selections.

The process of choosing the plays for a season of theater begins with a request for proposals from directors. This year’s announcement will go out in September, so for anyone who has ever thought of directing their favorite play, this is the time to burnish that vision and put it on paper.

The Town Players recently held a simply lovely cabaret-style fundraiser, which was charming from beginning to end. The group has more fundraising opportunities coming up. Don’t miss them, they always prove to be great fun.

DeToma described several other events under consideration, including improv nights and staged reading Sundays. It is inspiring to witness this small, persistent theater continue to grow and perform, despite the many obstacles it has faced.

The Town Players marches on, ever evolving and creating quality performances. We are fortunate to have it in our midst.