One last hurrah in Main St Theater location but the’ Show goes on’
-January 25,2019-
The Enchanted Playhouse players will take one more bow at the Main Street Theater in Visalia they have called home for 15 years when the children’s theater group offers a performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe this coming March.
“We’ve got an agreement between the City of Visalia and JR Shannon who is buying the building – to let us stay until March 31” says ETPC spokesperson Shanna Meier. The children’s playhouse – strapped for funds – will be allowed to stay rent-free until then.
In the meantime the escrow on the 1948-era building has not closed and likely won’t for some weeks.
So whats next for the for the popular theater group? “ The Show Will Got On” proclaims their Facebook page this week.
“We are in discussion with local arts and theater groups to see if we can form some sort of consortium to help everyone with fundraising” says Meier, perhaps resulting in finding a building somewhere. As of the end of that month they will need to clear out of the old theater.
For the time being a Spring show is likely at the Rotary Theater as the group is working on 3 shows this calendar year, expects Meier.
Fundraising is big concern and the group’s GO FUND ME campaign continues. Pledges have added up to some $3000 so far.https://www.gofundme.com/save-the-enchanted-playhouse Recent plays have also all been fundraisers for the program that has performed for 300,000 children over the past 25 years.
As for the building Visalia developer JR Shannon continues to market the property for development likely for restaurants although no tenant has been signed as of yet.
“We were glad to be part of the agreement to give the children’s theater more time – give them one final hurrah in their theater building ” says JR, looking along with city leaders to lower the temperature from last fall when the group was arguing with the city council over the sale of the property to the highest bidder, who was Shannon.
Watch to buy tickets for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Directed by Kelly Ventura. The starting date to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has been changed to Friday, March 1 @ 7 pm@ The Main Street Theater, 307 East Main. Closing is Sun., March 10. “We are still in business!#eptcsave. Please share!”
In other Downtown Visalia news Shannon expects his tenant down the street – Stacked Burger to open next week.