YOUNGSTOWN Manager takes on new role for 'Idora'

This show -- and the Playhouse -- will go on, the former stage manager says.
By MOLLY SHERIDAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
When Robert Vargo stepped down as managing director of the Youngstown Playhouse on June 30, he also gave up his role as director of the theater's second annual production of "Idora, Forever!" set to open Friday.
Fortunately for all involved, John E. Ballantyne Jr. was literally waiting in the wings. The show's former stage manager has taken over the production's direction, and the curtain will go up as scheduled.
"Idora, Forever!" is an original musical celebrating the iconic Youngstown amusement park.
Though Ballantyne says he didn't see Vargo's original version of the play last year, he has tried to preserve the former director's vision developed in the first weeks of rehearsal for this year's production.
"It was just one of those situations," Ballantyne explained. "Bob felt he had to move on since his contract was up. I was happy to help out and do whatever I could do." An experienced director himself, Ballantyne has made the project his own, giving his interpretation to the scenes Vargo hadn't had the chance to rehearse before his departure.
Jonathan Emerson and Jackie Diaz have taken over Ballantyne's stage-managing duties.
Handling the transition
Ballantyne and Vargo have worked together on a number of productions in the past 30 years, which perhaps made the changeover especially smooth.
"It was a bit of a transition to move up from stage managing to directing," Ballantyne admitted, "but I think the transition has gone well. The cast and I have settled in, and things are going very well."
Ballantyne said theatergoers should expect a great show from the community cast.
For those who remember Idora, the show is likely to evoke a lot of memories, but even for those who never had the chance to ride the Ferris wheel or eat cotton candy at the park, "it will be just as entertaining to find out what a great place and what a landmark Idora was in this town," he said.
Some controversy
The process of bringing "Idora, Forever!" to the stage last year spawned controversy. Vargo began trying to team up with "Idora, The Musical" playwright Angela Woodhull. But the two parted ways, leaving Vargo to rewrite material in the final days before the play was presented. Earlier this year, Woodhull's "Idora" was presented at Powers Auditorium.
Despite the financial challenges facing the community theater, Ballantyne is confident the theater will survive.
"It's important that people know that The Playhouse has no intention of closing," he said. "No matter what anyone hears, we have a season planned, and we will be staying a part of this community. & quot;