THE PLAYHOUSE President of board resigns

A new season of plays has been announced.
By GARRY CLARK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The embattled Youngstown Playhouse board of directors has lost its president.
John J. Maluso resigned as president Thursday. The resignation will be effective Saturday. Vice President Ida McLaughlin will take over as president. Maluso joined the board in 2001, was vice president during the 2001-02 season and has been president since the 2002-03 season.
Earlier this week, members of the Save Our Stage Committee had called for the resignation of the entire eight-member board.
Jack Ballantyne, a Save Our Stage Committee member, said this morning that it is "regrettable that this had to take place. We feel that he made the right decision. We thank him for his years of service to The Playhouse." He also said that the group appreciates Maluso's love for the theater, and they wish him success in future endeavors.
Applauded for service
Bentley Lenoff, who had been contacted by two board members earlier this month regarding returning as managing director, said this morning that he applauded Maluso for his service to The Playhouse. He said, "Maluso led the theater during its darkest times and did his best to keep the lights on -- literally and figuratively.
"Mr. Maluso seems to have the best interests of the organization at heart. By resigning, he is acknowledging the need for a change in the leadership and operation of The Playhouse.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Maluso's resignation is meaningless unless all other current board members recognize, as Mr. Maluso has apparently recognized, that they are not what The Playhouse needs now."
Next season
The Playhouse also announced today that it will open its 80th season Oct. 15 with "Murder at the Howard Johnson's." According to board member Glenda Whitehouse, that production will run through Oct. 31.
Planned for the rest of the 2004-05 season are: "Nunsense," Nov. 12-28; "Moon Over Buffalo," March 4-20; "Smoky Joe's Cafe," April 15-May 1; and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," June 10-24. In addition, a Christmas production still to be chosen will be presented Dec. 17-19.
During Maluso's tenure as president, The Playhouse was relieved of a $140,000 bank loan for capital improvements and operations. In January 2003, Youngstown City Council approved $60,000 in Community Development Agency funds that went to First Place Bank, which forgave the remainder of The Playhouse's loan.
Maluso also asked to use a $50,000 gift from Abe and Leona M. Adler Charitable Trust to pay other Playhouse debts. The money was earmarked for construction of a second, smaller theater at The Playhouse that was to be named for the Adlers.
XContributor: Debora Shaulis, Vindicator entertainment editor.