YOUNGSTOWN Playhouse begins stages of renovations

The addition gives the Playhouse room so multiple productions can rehearse at the same time.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Playhouse wants the start of its renaissance to spur change in its South Side neighborhood.
The Playhouse broke ground this morning on its $2 million federally funded renovation and expansion. The project includes an overhaul of the old theater, a new 300-seat arena and outdoor performance space. The project was close to three years in the making.
"The entire facility will not only be modernized but transformed into a gem," said Robert Vargo, Playhouse managing director.
At the same time, the Playhouse is talking with the city about improvements to its Glenwood Avenue neighborhood, Vargo said. Volunteers largely built the Playhouse in 1959, between West Evergreen and West Earle avenues on the city's South Side.
For example, the Playhouse wants better lighting on heavily traveled Glenwood. More demolition of dilapidated buildings or homes nearby also would help, he said.
The Playhouse project is a large investment in the neighborhood.
What's planned
The main building and its 469-seat theater will get a complete overhaul, Vargo said. The project includes new or improved seating, lighting, sound, technical equipment and dressing areas; replacing the buildings' plumbing and electrical systems; doubling the lobby's size; a new box office and other office space; installing an elevator; and bringing other elements to code.
The work should take six to nine months.
"It's going to be nice," Vargo said.
Additions include the Adler Arena Theater. The space will be an 80-foot-by-80-foot multipurpose room. The arena gives the Playhouse space to stage experimental productions. The addition should be built within four months.
Multiple productions sometimes have to rehearse at the same time and there is no space, Vargo said. The new theater will let the Playhouse offer multiple productions at the same time.
A concrete space outdoors for performances will be built behind the Playhouse and connected to the new theater. The outdoor space will feature different levels, giving the spot a Greek amphitheater look, he said.
A new metal storage building outside will give the Playhouse space to store sets, furniture and costumes. Now, all those items are stuffed into the old building, Vargo said.
The parking lot and fencing also will be rehabilitated and landscaped.
Earlier delay
The $2 million was delayed after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Vargo said. The money came from the federal agency handling security for national parks and monuments. That department needed money for security upgrades before the Playhouse grant was released, he said.
Former Congressman James A. Traficant Jr. secured the $2 million grant in December 2000. The money was the first phase the so-called "Millennium Cultural Cooperative Park" involving the Playhouse.
Traficant wanted to secure an additional $10 million for a theater downtown and a cultural park. City and playhouse officials had talked about renovating the deteriorating State Theater, or knocking it down and building new.
That potential funding was killed in committee in May 2001, two weeks after Traficant was indicted on racketeering, bribery, obstruction of justice and tax evasion charges. He was convicted on all the charges and is serving eight years in federal prison.
There was no mention of Traficant at this morning's event; he and his office were referred to only as the 17th District.
The Playhouse is still talking about a project beyond the Glenwood theater, Vargo said.