The new Ovation! Musical Theater Bainbridge will bring the Great White Way west.

The brainchild of island director Ron Milton, the theater company will be dedicated to Broadway beats from the snappy to the sentimental.

“We did a survey of the island and found that there were lots of singers who had no outlet,” Milton said.

Milton, who directed the highly successful production of “The Sound of Music” for Bainbridge Performing Arts, will serve as the group’s artistic head, while the show’s star, Corinna Lapid-Munter, is Ovation’s music director.

The pair started developing the concept two months ago, and already have a web site, logo, business cards and brochures, with non-profit status in the works.

They’ve also issued a call for singers, holding auditions Monday for shows in July and August.

The quick work has been possible with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers, said Milton’s wife, Marijane, who brings her 20 years experience in sales and marketing for radio and television to the role of publicity coordinator for the group.

“We already have three summer concerts planned, and more plans are in the works for two shows – one in the fall and one in the spring,” she said.

Ovation will feature the American classics such as Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” and “The King and I” by Rogers and Hammerstein.

“We might consider ‘South Pacific,’” too,” Milton said, “but it takes an awful lot of men to do that show.”

In addition to raising funds, the group is looking for a performance venue on the island. “We are open to any and all suggestions,” he said.

Milton admits that the financial investment of starting the company from scratch is “a little spooky.”

“When you’re paying for it yourself you really do it right,” he said. “You dot all the Is and cross the Ts.

“What we want to be known for is doing great works that move people, that have heart and soul.”

There is another perk in it for the director: starting his own company is a way of staying home.

“I was seven months away from home directing and designing last year and I don’t want to do that again,” he said.

“I want to work where I live.”

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“Relaxed and fun” auditions for Ovation! Musical Theater Bainbridge’s summer “Salute to Broadway” series will be held from 7-9 p.m. June 23 at the Commons. Shows are July 18 and Aug. 15-16.

Call 842-0472 or 780-5443 to schedule an audition. Information: info@ovationmtb.com or www.ovationmtb.com.