Dark times at Playhouse

By Milan Paurich

The theater’s decision to suspend productions casts a long shadow.

When Youngstown Playhouse Managing Director John Holt announced on Oct. 28 that the Playhouse would be suspending operations until spring, you could practically feel shock waves resonating throughout the entire local theater community.

“Having to make this decision was excruciating and horrible,” Holt said in a recent interview. “We fought long and hard against this happening, but all of the elements conspired against us. The Playhouse is a victim of very bad financial times,” he continued. “We’re hopeful that the Playhouse can survive this one way or another. But we’re also realistic. It is my sincerest hope that the dark period won’t last too long.”

If the Playhouse, the area’s longest-running community theater, had to shut down for the winter months due to financial hardships, what chance do smaller, less established theater companies have of making it through America’s current economic crisis?

The Playhouse’s two remaining 2008 main stage productions — the Agatha Christie murder mystery “And Then There Were None” and musical comedy “Big” — have been delayed until next summer. Also affected by the shutdown were the Playhouse’s Youth Theater holiday spectacular “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and the February dinner theater production of “I Do! I Do!”

No new dates have been announced for either of those shows, however.

The next scheduled Playhouse show will be the musical “Blood Brothers” in March.

What, if anything, does the Playhouse news signify for the future of community theater in the Youngstown area? Can a local arts community dependent upon grants and corporate donations survive when the economy, both state and national, is on life-support?

To help answer those questions, The Vindicator solicited local reaction to the Playhouse news.

Christopher Fidram (director; actor)

I think the Playhouse’s decision is a smart one. They’re putting their patrons first by not raising ticket prices and ensuring that audiences have a comfortable and enjoyable theater experience. Community theaters across the country have done the same thing, and it’s paid off.

Kathy Shook (actress)

With their school outreach programs that open a world of possibilities to children and young adults, the Youngstown Playhouse has been more valuable to our area than most people realize. We have so many talented children whose lives could be forever enriched — and possibly changed — if the Playhouse is allowed to continue their Youth Theater program.

Lori Broderick (actress)

A dozen of us gathered recently in the confines of one of Youngstown’s greatest treasures to rehearse “And Then There Were None.” But instead of taking our places on the near-completed set, we were told that the show would not go on. So our talented and committed band of “suspects” bid a sad adieu, anxiously awaiting our reunion. Let’s all hope that this isn’t the final curtain.

Barbara Evans (actress)

It makes me deeply sad, not for myself, but for John Holt, his great staff and the talented, dedicated actors, directors and crew. I’ve witnessed first-hand how hard each of them have worked and sacrificed to keep The Playhouse not only viable, but filled with an energy and spirit that can be felt when you walk in the door. This is only a speed bump in the road for the Youngstown Playhouse, and for all of the people who love it.

Michael Moritz (Playhouse musical director)

The news, of course, is very sad. It’s regrettable that some shows will be postponed, but a wise choice considering the current financial situation. I’m confident, however, that the Playhouse will emerge from their hiatus stronger than before. If anyone has ever considered supporting the Playhouse before, now is the time to get involved.

Cherie Stebner (season ticket holder)

Are there solutions? Maybe. My current attitude is that it will be like everything else that’s been left behind in Youngstown. There will be a great deal of talk, a great deal of hope and then quietly, after a period of time, it will sink into oblivion just like the steel mills and everything else that once made Youngstown a thriving metropolis.

Without actual productions, donations and ticket sales will come to a halt, breaking the “awareness of existence” cycle. It will then become virtually impossible to resurrect because people will have drifted away and eventually forget.

Brooke Slanina (president of the Oakland Center for the Arts)

I applaud the Playhouse for being brave enough to take this step. Many community theaters invoke a “dark” winter to save on energy bills; it’s smart and it makes sense. I think the Playhouse is strong enough to regroup and survive.

John Ballantyne (YACTA president)

The Playhouse is a very valuable part of this community, and some people simply miss the boat on this concept. If this was a sports team, everyone would be in an uproar. When the local hockey team fell apart, it wasn’t two days before Bruce Zoldan had a bid in to get another one into the Chevy Centre. Maybe the Playhouse needs to add a sports facility.

This is bad news for community theater in general. When one theater goes through this kind of hardship, it affects all of our local theater companies. Ticket buyers get squeamish about buying tickets to anything. Just like good theater breeds more good theater, theater closings breed uncertainty.

Molly Galano (actress)

We all have to realize that this is the same situation many arts organizations are facing today. Money is tight, families are struggling and most community theaters are up against the same set of problems as the Playhouse. Like a beautiful sunset, theater is an intangible thing. Yes, we can live without it, but what kind of life would that be?