Plain Press, February 1996, Vol. 23, No. 2

Cleveland Public Theatre plans to bring back Vaudeville

by Joe Mosbrook

While some community theaters struggle, the Cleveland Public Theatre has raised $45,000 to renovate the historic Gorden Square Theater. Artistic director James Levin is launching a capitol drive to raise the remaining $300,000 needed. Although the remaining financial sources are uncertain, managing director Holly Holsinger says they plan to open the new theater by this fall.

The 84-year-old Vaudeville theater is located next to the Cleveland Public Theatre on Detroit Avenue just east of W. 65th. It once entertained audiences of 1,500 with such talents as Bob Hope.

The new theater will be Cleveland Public TheatreÆs largest of three theaters housing 350 whereas the other two seat 150 and 75.

"Vaudeville is by far our biggest box-office draw, and we hope to bring back to this theater to what it once was," said Holsinger. Besides vaudeville, the new theater will host experimental opera and popular plays held over from the smaller venues.

Gorden Square originally opened in 1912 as Cleveland's premier theater. In addition to vaudeville, it hosted silent movies, dramatic theater and eventually talking pictures. The theater's thriving run through the twenties was cut short by the depression in the early 1930s. While most vaudeville theaters were cleared for new development, Gorden Square survived the wrecking ball in part because it is virtually invisible from Detroit road. "No one knows it's there," said Levin. "When I tell people about it, they think I'm talking about the Capitol Theater."

Over the years it was used as a warehouse and a chopshop, among other things. The seats have long since been removed and the structure has not weathered its 50 years of neglect well.

Despite their expansion, Cleveland Public Theatre plans to reduce their productions from 32 to 18 per year. Holsinger says this will allow shows to run longer. While the theater relies heavily on word-of-mouth promotion, many people do not hear about shows until they close. Holsinger hopes longer runs will increase audiences.

The Cleveland Public Theatre will continue all of its other events such as the Plays Festival and poetry readings. Holsinger says the theater operates for the benefit of local artists and the community. In addition to other programs, the theater holds summer drama classes for inner-city youth.

"No one is turned away," Holsinger said. "If someone can't pay the $12 or $8 dollars, they'll pay what they can. Artists are not wealthy."