Council honors Mason Community Players and Mark McGrath with resolution and concert promotion

Mason City Council on Sept. 2 unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-19 commending the Mason Community Players for more than five decades of local theater and recognizing Mason native and Broadway performer Mark McGrath.

The council read the resolution, which notes the organization’s founding in 1973, more than 150 productions, and its current home at 5529 Mason Road. Mark McGrath addressed the council and described how his appearance with the Mason Community Players in 1776 helped secure a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music and launched his stage career.

McGrath said he dedicated his upcoming Sept. 13 concert in Mason to founding member Karen Terry, who recently passed away, and he asked patrons to support the theater’s ongoing facility needs (McGrath noted the playhouse needs roof and HVAC repairs). The council and several members of the public praised the theater’s long history and described Friday’s benefit as a “full-circle” moment for the community.

Council moved to suspend the rules and adopt Resolution 2025-19 on consent; the motion passed and the resolution was adopted by voice vote with no opposition. The resolution directs the clerk to certify a copy to the Mason Community Players. Councilmembers encouraged attendance at the Sept. 13 benefit; ticketing information was announced at the meeting (masonplayers.org).

The resolution and the ceremony were accompanied by tributes from council members and a short history of the group’s founding, including the council’s original $1,000 support in 1973 (the resolution notes the equivalent value in today’s dollars). No fiscal appropriation or ongoing city commitment beyond the commendation was specified in the adopted text.