Bill Krone has been a cowboy, pirate, conman and even a crab in various Villages theatrical productions.
Now, he’s ready for another challenging role: chairman of the Villages Musical Theater. Krone is a former high school principal and one of the most popular and versatile performers in The Villages.
“We want to continue to offer quality productions with high artistic standards,” said Krone, who recently succeeded Bill Davis as head of the theater company. “But we have to be fiscally responsible.”
VMT was formed nearly two decades ago and currently has about 140 members, Krone said. “We have a history of doing good shows and we’re going to keep on doing them,” Krone said. “And we want to enjoy ourselves doing them.”
The VMT’s next major production for will be “Beauty and the Beast.” The musical will be staged next March and directed by Sue Schuler. Auditions will be held Sept. 21, 24 and 25. For information, go to:
http://www.thevillagesmusicaltheater.org/upcoming-auditions/
“We’re hoping everything will work out, because these days, with the virus, you never know,” Krone said. “We just want people to be safe and enjoy themselves.”
In addition to Krone, the current board of directors are: Ed Slivken, Bruce Greenberger, Judy Pluta, Mary Lou Merkner, Linda Berthiaume and Dave Newell.
All, like Krone, have a history of theatrical achievement in The Villages. He first hit the stage back in 2008 and has appeared in nearly 20 productions for various groups.
“Billy Flynn in ‘Chicago’ was my favorite,” said Krone, who was principal of Williamsville East High School, a suburb of Buffalo. One of his students was Rob Gronkowski, who now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but helped the New England Patriots to multiple Super Bowl titles.
Among the other roles Krone has played for The Villages Musical Theater include: Charlie Davenport in “Annie Get Your Gun,” Jigger Cragin in “Carousel”, and Lank Hawkins in “Crazy For You.”
Krone’s roles with other local performing companies have included playing Julian Marsh in “42nd Street,” Cliff in “Cabaret” and Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.”
He showed his comic musical side a few years ago in a Disney tribute for Smash Productions. Krone wound up playing a lion, a blue genie and last but not least the red crab from “Little Mermaid.”
