The Acorn Theater is a turn-of-the-century former corset stay factory, and the conversion to its current performance space was the subject of multiple shows on HGTV.
The burlesque performers love that part of Acorn's history, naturally.
Co-owners David Fink and Kim Clark bought the building about 10 years ago, when there was no paved street in front and the building was in terrible shape. "Everyone thought we were crazy, which we were," Fink said, laughing.
But almost eight years later, the Acorn is now a great weekday or weekend getaway from Chicago. The Acorn is located in Three Oaks, Mich., about 70 miles from downtown Chicago and about 60 miles from Kalamazoo, Mich. Located in Berrien County, Three Oaks' most famous former resident was Carl Sandburg.
Fink and Clark, Chicago residents, bought the 101-year-old abandoned factory in 2001—and now also live in an apartment above the Acorn.
After two years of construction, the facility reopened in 2003 as the Acorn Theater, a 250-seat multidisciplinary space used for high-quality professional performances and live theater. The Acorn produces about 45 separate shows annually that run the gamut from Absurd postmodern clowning to new works by Tony Award-winning creators.
Music also holds a special place in the Acorn lineup: Former seasons have featured internationally known rock bands including Jefferson Starship, Poi Dog Pondering and The Cowboy Junkies; folk legends such as Peter Yarrow, Richie Havens, Shawn Mullins and Corky Siegel; and others such as rock icon Lesley Gore, pianist Jim Brickman and opera star Nathan Gunn.
The Acorn Theater has shows most Friday and Saturday evenings.
"The Acorn is a hip and relaxed space where everyone is encouraged to be themselves—performers as well as patrons," Fink said. "We present a huge variety of live performances that are world-class. Many of our performers are LGBT and many of the shows would have special appeal to [ the LGBT ] community.
"Some of the 'out' performers [ at the Acorn ] have included Lesley Gore, Vicki Shaw and Matt Alber, as well as a number of cabaret artists, rock musicians and classical performers. Many of our shows that are not specific to the LGBT community are still appealing to LGBT audience members, such as our Opera at the Acorn series and some original plays and musicals."
Fink worked in manufacturing along with the theater until a couple of years ago. Clark teaches ethics and advanced screenwriting at DePaul University and ran for U.S. Congress ( from Michigan ) a few years ago.
They have been partners, personally and professionally, for close to 20 years.
"We want everyone to be comfortable in our space," Fink said. "One of the most interesting things about the Acorn is that it is a live performance space created in an old-time, small-town similar to a cross between Mayberry and Twin Peaks. The town now has respect for openly gay members, and it is common for transgender and cross-dressers to visit—and be accepted, respected, and even unnoticed."
Clark is a writer and producer of television and film. He previously served for several years as national head of the writing programs at Chicago's Second City in the Second City Training Centers. His students currently write for many television series, such as Saturday Night Live. Clark also has served as artistic director at the Chicago Center for Performing Arts.
Fink holds positions as board chairman of the internationally known Chicago Improv Festival and chairman of the board of the Poetry Center of Chicago, affiliated with the Art Institute of Chicago.
"The LGBT community from Chicago is important to us," Fink said. "Many of our patrons are second home-owners with weekend places in the area. We produce work from a clear point of view, without being overtly offensive to the straight community. The result is a wonderful common ground/playground for anyone who respects serious creativity."
Thursdays also are one of the most popular nights at Acorn, for its music video dance party with videos from the 1960s to today. "We occasionally begin with a live performance, most of them have a special gay appeal," Fink said. Performers have included Steven Brinberg singing as Barbra, Edie doing a drag-nightclub act and New York cabaret artist David Gurland.
"Many of our patrons have become regulars," Fink said. "In fact, many now add a budget line in their monthly personal expenses to buy tickets. One calls it his replacement for personal therapy and soul-building."
For more information, go to www.acorntheater.com .
