Theater will kick off its 80th anniversary with community party
Published on Wednesday, Sep 16, 2009
The Akron Civic Theatre, one of the historic jewels of downtown, has been a place for movie and concertgoers to escape under a domed sky of twinkling stars and floating clouds for 80 years now.
The venerable atmospheric theater, originally called Loew's Theatre, started out as a picture palace, designed in 1929 by Viennese-born John Eberson to resemble a Moorish courtyard.
Today, the Civic will kick off its 80th anniversary with a community party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of and inside the building at 182 S. Main St. The theater will announce its 80th anniversary season and offer a free lunch, theater tours, ticket giveaways and an organ concert.
Ten years ago, when the Civic celebrated its 70th anniversary, it was one of 16 atmospheric theaters left in the Unites States. Now, only 11 remain. In 2002, the theater underwent a dazzling $22.6 million renovation, restoring its original vibrant palette and expanding the stage, along with other updates.
As part of its 80th anniversary, the theater is kicking off the year-long campaign ''80 for 80'' to raise $80,000, focusing on small personal donations. Funds will support theater programming and show vouchers offered to local social service agencies.
To make a donation, call 330-535-3179 or download a form at http://www.akroncivic.com.
The Civic Theatre has seen its foundation and corporate support drop, and its Ohio Arts Council funding has been slashed by 50 percent to $20,000. The good news is that ticket sales are increasing and individual donations are steady, said Howard Parr, executive director.
In the last year, the Civic has worked with the city and the county to restructure its debt, paying about $35,000 annually to each entity.
The 2008-2009 season includes a mix of concert, dance and theater tours as well as local dance companies, musicians and a sprinkling of movies. Highlights include concerts by country music star Gary Allan, contemporary Christian artists MercyMe, and a combined performance by Motown greats The Temptations and the Four Tops.
''It's really building on the success of last season, where we had a lot of community-based programs, a lot of community partnerships,'' Parr said.
This year's partnerships include the new AkronNites series, which features local artists performing before just 100 guests in the theater lobby, and a four-event international series partnering with Akron International Friendship.
The season also will include a a low-cost Live Performance Family Theater series with productions of the folk tale Henny Penny, the drama Harriet Tubman and the Train to Freedom, and a musical version of Hansel and Gretel.
Also notable, Akron's Youth Excellence Performance Workshop, which is celebrating its 20th year, is presenting a performance by Ailey II, the junior company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York. Ailey II merges young modern dance talent with emerging choreographers.
Here's the 2009-2010 anniversary schedule. For ticket information, call 330-253-2488 or see http://www.akroncivic.com:
• 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24, — Pick Yourself Up: Songs for Hard Times, presented by the Musical Theater Project Cabaret Performance, featuring 70 years of economy-coping music.
• 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 — Hattie Larlham Foundation presents ''Hollywood,'' a fundraiser with a fashion show and clips from classic films.
• 2 p.m. Oct. 4 — Henny Penny.
• 8 p.m. Oct. 10 — Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, melding American modern dance with Chinese classical arts.
• 7 p.m. Oct. 11 — The Four Lads with guest Helen Welch.
• Oct. 14-15 — Children's Concert Society presents the Freedom Brass Band of Northeast Ohio.
• 6 p.m. Oct. 18 — Contemporary Christian artists MercyMe.
• 8 p.m. Oct. 24 — The Optimist Club presents Women of the Bible.
• 8 p.m. Oct. 29 — Pop/rock singer-songwriter Ryan Humbert and Emily Bates, featuring visual artist Todd Volkmer.
• 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 — The Six Ages of Woman, cabaret by Mary Faktor.
• 2 p.m. Nov. 8 — University of Akron Steel Drum Band.
• 8 p.m. Nov. 12 — Rachel Roberts with visual artist Jeremy Taylor.
• 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 — Country star Gary Allan.
• 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21 — Warren Miller's 60th anniversary film Dynasty plus Northeast Ohio Skifest.
• Nov. 28-Dec. 6 — Ballet Theatre of Ohio's The Nutcracker.
• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 — Ryan Humbert ''Strung Out for the Holidays'' concert, including a nine-piece acoustic band.
• 7 p.m. Dec. 13 — The Lettermen Christmas Show.
• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 — Jingle Bell Swing, starring Helen Welch and featuring the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.
• Dec. 31 — First Night Akron New Year's Eve celebration.
• Jan. 16 — ''Akron Screams'' independent horror film festival.
• 8 p.m. Jan. 23 — Draw The Line, Aerosmith tribute.
• 2 p.m. Jan. 24 — Zobapago, an Akron-based children's band.
• 8 p.m. Jan. 28 — Singer/songwriter Chris Allen, featuring visual artist Arnie Tunstall.
• 8 p.m. Jan. 30 — Hotel California, Eagles tribute.
• 8 p.m. Feb. 5 — Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, improvisational comedy.
• 8 p.m. Feb. 6 — Zoso, Led Zeppelin tribute.
• 2 p.m. Feb. 21 — Harriet Tubman and the Train to Freedom.
• 8 p.m. Feb. 24 — Ladysmith Black Mambazo, vocalists of South Africa.
• 8 p.m. Feb. 25 — Musician Zach, featuring visual artist Andrew Shondrick.
• Feb. 26 — Ailey II, presented by YEPAW.
• 8 p.m. March 6 — Celebration of Arts and International Communities.
• 2:30 p.m. March 13, 2:30 p.m. March 14 — Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, Fancy Nancy.
• March 20 — Summit Choral Society.
• 2 p.m. March 21 — Hansel and Gretel.
• March 24 — Akron Corporate Idol, presented by the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
• 8 p.m. March 25 — Singer/songwriter Robin Stone, featuring visual artist Stephanie Neary.
• March 27 — Winter Breakout V, presented by the Akron General Foundation featuring contemporary jazz group Special EfX.
• April 14-15 — Children's Concert Society presents Akron Lyric Opera performing Little Red Riding Hood.
• 8:30 p.m. April 17 — The Temptations and The Four Tops, benefiting the Akron Civic Theatre.
• 2 p.m. April 18 — Aesop's Classic Fables Giant Puppet Theater.
• 7:30 p.m. April 22 — Divas! starring Helen Welch.
• 7:30 p.m. April 24 — The Duttons, performing bluegrass to classical.
• May 1-2 — Ballet Theatre of Ohio's The Wizard of Oz.
• 7:30 p.m. May 2 — A Fine Romance: The Love Song Cabaret, featuring masters of the American musical, presented by the Musical Theater Project Cabaret Performance.
• 8 p.m. May 22 — Intercultural Journeys presents Gesher-Jeser-Bridge, bringing Arab and Jewish musicians together.
Arts writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.
