Season-ticket sales, contributions increase over 2003's

The executive director credited volunteers with the ticket drive's initial success.
By GARRY CLARK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Playhouse has doubled its number of season-ticket holders from last year, and contributions have increased 70 percent over last season's levels, even though its formal campaigns for ticket sales and community support have yet to begin.
In a prepared statement issued Wednesday and described as the "first of ongoing monthly reports to the community," Playhouse board president Anthony Donofrio said that "the community must continually be made aware of our progress and become a part of our success."
Bentley Lenhoff, who has agreed to remain as executive director for the entire 2004-05 season, the theater's 80th, credited volunteers with the "initial success that the organization has experienced."
Statistics
The statement outlined the following statistics as of Sept. 15 in pointing to the Playhouse's renewed vigor:
U There are now 615 season-ticket holders, a 100 percent increase over last season. A telephone campaign for season tickets is being chaired by John Burgan and Keith Downard and will begin Sept. 27. Lenhoff has stated that the goal is 1,500 season tickets.
U A total of $18,000 has been contributed already, with a community support campaign referred to as the Playhouse Renaissance Season set to begin Wednesday. The goal for that campaign is $204,000, and committee co-chairmen are Atty. Richard McLaughlin and William Cossler. That goal has been increased, according to Lenhoff, by $54,000 because the co-chairmen are very optimistic and wanted to "go for $204,000 in 2004."
U Playhouse debt has been reduced by $7,000 during the first three weeks of "sustained effort to manage the Playhouse as a professional organization," and the stated goal is to eliminate all past debt by next June.
Other updates
Lenhoff, reached by telephone, said that although the theater's liquor license had lapsed earlier this year, officials are endeavoring to obtain a "club" license to serve and sell drinks to members and those attending functions at the Playhouse. "This will allow us to be open to members on weekends and after shows where we can have other entertainment as well," he said.
He also said that the organization's status as a nonprofit entity, which had been in doubt, is secure so that supporters will be able to make tax-deductible contributions.
clark@vindy.com