Our History. Founded in 1997 by Mary G. Guaraldi, Canyon Moon Theatre Company, then known as Oak Creek Theatre Company, was housed in the Sedona Arts Center in uptown Sedona for its first three years, with plays presented in the Charles W. Raison Theatre. Many memorable shows were performed there, including the inaugural Forever Plaid, Sylvia, and the amazing musical Always... Patsy Cline.
Times changed and for a myriad of reasons the theatre relocated to a small, intimate space in the Old Marketplace on 89A. Here, theatre lovers enjoyed more great hits, including Talley's Folly and the hilarious and irreverent Nunsense. After four years at this location, the space was converted into offices and our lease was not renewed — leaving Mary and Canyon Moon Theatre once more in search of a permanent home.
For the next year — one entire theatre season — Canyon Moon was a 'traveling theatre,' performing at any available venue and searching for a place to sink roots. In spite of it all, loyal patrons enjoyed triumphs like Someone Who'll Watch Over Me and Nunsense II, the follow-up to the previous season's hit.
During this stressful and exhausting period, Mary investigated numerous possible sites, spoke with an endless list of people regarding the theatre's needs, and hoped and prayed that something suitable would appear.
Unsure if the theatre could survive another 'mobile' season, she finally... finally... found a space that would work: the old Dansk building in the Oak Creek Factory Outlets in the Village of Oak Creek. In the late summer of 2006, Canyon Moon Theatre Company signed a two-year lease with two one-year options to renew, meaning that Canyon Moon had a home for the next four years.
Comfortably settled into its new home, Canyon Moon Theatre presented an eclectic mix of shows for its next season, ranging from Oscar Wilde's delightful The Importance of Being Earnest and the witty, insightful Suburb: The Musical to the thought-provoking Talking With...
During the theatre's milestone tenth season, Canyon Moon presented six productions that explored the human connection, including audience favorites Fiction, Trying, and Late Nite Catechism.
Now the Theatre turns its attention to Season XIV and six exciting new productions for 2012!
Our Programs. At Canyon Moon, we offer two different theatre programs. The first, The Main Stageseries, includes four productions that take audiences from introspection to riotous laughter. This series is a good introduction to Canyon Moon Theatre — and often suitable for people in residence for only a portion of the year. The second program, The Splinter Series, is a more adventuresome experience for theatregoers that includes comedies, dramas, and musicals. The Splinter Series first began at the urging of some of our audience members who enjoyed several different types of theatre experiences.
Additionally, the Spaghetti Confetti Company produces plays for youth and family audiences, performed in our theatre and on tour to schools and other venues regionally.