Milton Theatre opens new Quayside Stage

For years, the land next to the Milton Theatre was overgrown with weeds and barren.

But now, the theater has purchased the land, cut down the weeds, installed gates and introduced its newest addition: the Quayside Stage, which held its first event, Concert For A Random Soldier, Aug. 25. 

Director Fred Munzert said, “We’re super excited about it. We’ve walked past that for five-plus years now and having it as another downtown spot where people can come and hang out is awesome.” He said because the theater’s lobby space is limited, he liked the idea of using the land next to it as an outdoor lobby. 

He said,  “We want to get using it, and it is going to go through a lot of changes. To have people out there right away is the best thing.”

Located alongside the Broadkill River, the event featured food and beverage vendors and T-shirts for the show. Acts on stage included Hot Sauce Band, The Funsters, Dirk Quinn Band, Connor Filicko and The Gone Boys. 

Munzert said the theater expects to offer more events at the Quayside Stage in 2020, possibly beginning in April. He said the intention is to have acoustic performers on the stage one or two nights per week. A screen on the side of the building could allow  movie nights outdoors, he said.

The Concert For A Random Soldier has been a Cape Region staple for nearly 15 years. The event was founded by the Clifton family, whose son, Chad, was killed in Iraq in 2005. The name of the event comes from Terri Clifton, Chad’s mother’s book, “A Random Soldier.” Donations and sales have traditionally gone to Guitars for Vets, a nonprofit organization that provides guitars and guitar lessons for veterans. Among the donors this year was the Milton Police Department, which presented a check for $200.