A book that details the history of Cyrano, an important center of art and culture in Alaska

Sandy Harper is a recognized pack rat.

The walls and shelves of her downtown Anchorage condo are filled with photos, books and articles, many documenting her decades-long career in the arts.

Harper, 85, who founded Cyrano’s Off Center Playhouse with her husband Jerry in 1992, didn’t have to push too far when she decided to publish a book about the legendary theater.

The Little Theater that Could and Did, published earlier this year, is a comprehensive account of the hundreds of productions the theater has hosted. The book not only provides detailed descriptions of each show directly from participants, but also often provides deep background information and a reminder of their cultural impact.

Mr Harper said the book was originally conceived to honor the work of Jerry, who passed away in 2005.

“He was such a talented and extraordinary person and he certainly had an impact on theater in Alaska, so that was kind of a legacy for him,” Harper said. “That was my initial motivation, and it was just fun to take a walk down memory lane.”

The first section of the book is appropriately divided into three acts. Act 1 covers the biography of the Harper family before their arrival in Alaska.

The second act covers the early days of Cyrano’s, which was formed in 1987 as a cafe and bookstore. It quickly evolved into a hub for events across local music, art, theater and film.

“It evolved into what we would call a cultural mini-mall,” Harper said.

The final act features the launch of the theater and Cyrano’s troupe.

The addition of “off center” to the title is a nod to the atypical spirit of the theater, which was originally called “eccentric theater.”

Despite Alaska’s economic turmoil starting in the 1980s, Harper said theater was a huge catalyst for creativity at the time.

“We weren’t really concerned about finances,” she says. “We just wanted to do what we wanted to do.”

Much of the book covers Cyrano’s work in detail, with over 300 pages of both text and visuals.

This section includes review excerpts, notes from the playwright, director, and artistic director, and even a few special surprises.

The 2003 film “Dinner with Friends” includes a recipe for lemon-almond polenta cake shared by the characters in the show.

Although several works were written by world-renowned playwrights, many of the plays were written locally and featured Alaskan people and issues.

“Growing Up Alaska Native,” based on the book by AJ McClanahan, is a collaboration between Cyrano’s and the Alaska Native Heritage Center and includes interviews with young Native American leaders.

Written by Cyrano resident playwright Dick Reichman, “War” was developed for the stage through the Last Frontier Theater Conference at Valdez and the Cyrano Playwrights Series.

Reichman also wrote “The Ticket,” which centers on a fictional meeting between former governors. Jay Hammond and Wally Hickel.

In detail, it took Harper five years to produce this book. But she really enjoyed looking back at the many boxes of notes, flyers, and other documents.

“I love writing and was a researcher before I became a producer,” she said.

Using the concept of a coffee table art book, Harper independently self-published it, with Rick Miller assisting with the graphics and layout.

“I could not have completed this book without him,” she said.

In 2017, Cyrano’s moved from its location at 4th Avenue and D Street, taking over the former Out North Contemporary Art House building in East Anchorage.

But regardless of location, Cyrano’s has played an important role in the development of Alaska’s arts and culture.

“It was always active and full of life,” Harper said.