By Collin Cunningham
(AKRON, Ohio) Akron's oldest historic theatre is continuing to rebound from the pandemic with new building renovations and programming for adults over the age of 50 ahead of its grand reopening.
News 5 Cleveland reports that the Akron Civic Theater has spent $19 million while being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic to upgrade its South Main street venue. Returning guests will notice the grand lobby and arcade at the entrance to the theater has been restored to their former glory, while brand new additions include a box office, administrative offices and a 220-seat club venue.
“These additions of the civic has a bright future and is poised to become even more of a destination than it already is," Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan told the station in April. "As [the Civic] has undergone a historic transformation, so [has] downtown, and we're on the cusp of a very promising chapter in our city's history.”
The first events at the new John, James and Clara Knight Stage post-renovations are part of the Civic's Civic Celebration Week. That kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Monday night in the form of a poetry read and a collection of vendor booths called "An Evening of Creative Expression."
Taking place the following night is a free performance of Akron-based jazz guitarist Dan Wilson and his band, with other musical acts following on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
It all leads up to a showing of "The Great Gatsby," the Civic's first show in over 16 months.
In late July, the theatre announced its intentions to expand programming when it announced it will host performances at Akron's 2,500-seat East End Goodyear Theater, per WKSU. The first event as part of that partnership is an Aug. 15 stop of the Happy Together Tour.
Akron Civic Board President Candice Carlyon said the following in a press release announcing the collaboration, per Cleveland.com:
After the successful completion of our restoration and expansion project, we are thrilled to have [the] opportunity to further maximize Akron’s arts and entertainment options through this collaborative partnership. We’re expecting a very active and diverse schedule at both theaters in the year ahead.
In another effort to get more people involved with performing arts, the Civic also announced a new theater company called BOOM! designed specifically for adults aged 50 and over. According to Spectrum News, the new initiative is grounded in the same logic as the theater's existing Millenial Theatre Project and All-City Musical but for older participants.
“You don’t have to know what blocking is. You don’t have to know harmonies,” said Val Renner, the theater's associate director of programming said. “It’s basically taking your talents, whatever they may be, and seeing how they fit into productions.”
The troupe's first outing is set for 8 p.m. on Sept. 24 and 25 with a production of "Cabaret". Four more performances are scheduled to follow on Oct. 1, 2, 8 and 9.