FORD FAMILY RECITAL HALL Gem of a theater to open downtown

The $4.8 million 600-seat theater, which opens Friday, is part of an $11 million renovation of Powers Auditorium.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
ORD FAMILY RECITAL HALL, THE first theater built in downtown Youngstown in 75 years, has been called a gem: small yet prized and of the finest quality.
The Ford and its adjacent Eleanor Beecher Flad Pavilion -- a combined 24,000-square-foot project that cost $4.8 million -- open Friday with an inaugural concert by Appalachia Waltz Trio.
The theater and pavilion, which also includes a restaurant and terrace, are in the DeYor Center for the Performing Arts complex, which includes Powers Auditorium and its East Wing, where administrative offices and a library are located.
"We always felt there was a need for an intimate space," said Patricia Syak, executive director of the Youngstown Symphony Society, which operates the DeYor Center. With the exception of Severance Hall in Cleveland, Ford Hall is the only acoustic -- or nonamplified -- musical performance venue in the region, according to Syak.
"It is a gem," she said.
The 600-seat theater and pavilion is the final piece of an $11 million project that also included the renovation of Powers Auditorium and construction of the East Wing, both of which were completed several years ago.
Gary Balog of Ricciuti Balog & amp; Partners of Youngstown was the architect of the Ford/Flad structure. Kreidler Construction of Poland was the general contractor.
Marquee sign
The entire DeYor complex will be tied together in coming weeks by a large and gaily-lighted marquee sign that will add a very bright and noticeable addition to the downtown landscape. The sign will be a reproduction of the original one that graced the building when it opened in 1931, said Syak. Powers was the last theater built downtown.
Old photos of the marquee sign were used as a model for the new one, said Syak, who did not know what year it was taken down.
The plans for the sign are being reviewed by the Youngstown Design Review Committee. Construction and installation of the sign will begin once committee approval is received, and that will take four to six weeks, according to Syak. She anticipates getting approval in May.
While the marquee sign will re-create the original, it will be state-of-the-art. The front will say "DeYor Center for the Performing Arts" in lights, while the sides will have moving words, with photo capability similar to a stadium scoreboard. Upcoming events will be advertised on the sides, said Syak.
Uses
The theater will play host to a variety of performances, including dance by Ballet Western Reserve; a Dana School of Music Showcase Concert; and a variety of ensemble and symphony recitals.
"When we were in the planning stages, we asked every arts group in town, 'What should we build that you could use?'" said Syak.
Theater productions may also be held at the Ford, provided they don't require a curtain or "fly system," which is used to move props and settings. The theater's stage has neither.
Other events that are in the planing stages are a production of "Tony and Tina's Wedding," and performances by Christian rocker Phil Keaggy, polka band leader Del Sinchak and jazz quartets.
"It will be a very mixed bag of entertainment," said Syak, who said the goal is to present 60 performances per season, which runs from September to May.
The pavilion and theater will also be available to be booked for parties, weddings and receptions. Also, First Night Youngstown will use it for performances during the annual New Year's Eve event.
And hometown talent will be showcased in a series to be called Hometown Heroes, Syak said.
Intimate
Patrons will be guaranteed an intimate experience. The 60-by-40-foot stage -- the same size as the one in Powers -- extends into the smallish seating area in a semicircular fashion. There are roughly 300 seats on the main floor, and another 300 in the balcony.
"The performers will be virtually in the audience," said Syak. "It will be an up-close and personal experience."
Funding for the DeYor projects was raised mostly from donations by foundations and private citizens. A few state grants were also received, said Syak.