Playhouse building will return to action

By Guy D’Astolfo

A fundraiser gave the theater company an emotional and financial lift.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Playhouse building will return to action as a theater — a little sooner than planned — when the theater company stages “Barefoot in the Park” for a two-weekend run that begins July 10.

The financially strapped community theater had closed its building in October and indefinitely halted its season, citing high heating costs and a sharp downturn in funding.

The Playhouse was to present the Neil Simon play at Boardman Center Middle School as it continued to clean and repair its own building. But Pat Fagan, Playhouse spokeswoman, said Monday that the production has been moved to the theater’s long-time home off Glenwood Avenue.

Why the change? “We found out a few weeks ago that the middle school would ask us to use union stagehands,” said Fagan. “We didn’t want to incur any extra expenses. Fortunately, we had enough time to take action.”

Nick Opritza, supervisor of the Boardman Performing Arts Center and a member of the stagehands union (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 101), said Boardman schools have had an agreement with his local for at least 50 years, under which stagehands must be used for all productions that are not by a school-related group. He said the cost of using union stagehands would have been under a thousand dollars.

The stagehands union also has agreements with several other local auditoriums, including Powers Auditorium and Covelli Centre, said Opritza.

The Playhouse building had suffered damage when a water pipe burst over the winter, and had sat empty for almost eight months. But it had been largely cleaned up for a June 20 Night at the Races fundraiser.

Returning to the building had always been the goal, but Playhouse officials didn’t think they could get the auditorium part of it ready this soon. “Barefoot” will be the first theatrical production in the 650-seat auditorium since the play “Company” closed Oct. 4.

Fagan called the return “a victory, a homecoming.”

“Prior to the fundraiser, most of us had not been in that building since it closed,” she said. “We went in a few days before the fundraiser, and it was so good to be back.”

John Cox, who is directing “Barefoot,” said the building has come a “long way from the frozen tundra it was in winter. The place has gotten a full once-over and we felt it was perfect to move [the play] back there.”

The burst pipe wasn’t the only setback the Playhouse suffered this year. A tax lien was placed on it by the IRS. The building also needs roof and plumbing work.

The Playhouse board has been making regular payments to the IRS, and recently began renting its hall to a church for Sunday services. In the spring, the Playhouse received a $10,000 gift from local philanthropist Tony Lariccia.

The June 20 fundraiser played a big financial and emotional role in getting the theater back on its feet.

“It was so good to see so many of our customers,” said Fagan. “We definitely made some money and everyone had a good time. We also got a lot of support and a good feeling.”

The Playhouse is planning another fundraiser in August, she said.

Fagan also said the 2009-10 season will be announced in a couple of weeks. “We’re waiting to hear if we will be granted the rights to all of the plays,” she said. “The season will include some classic pieces and a few plays that are new to the area.”

XFor reservations for “Barefoot in the Park,” call the Playhouse box office at (330) 788-8739.