New Everyman Theatre Set To Open Downtown, Across From Hippodrome
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Moving day can bring with it a lot of anxiety--except if you are a regional theatre company which has fought for decades to build a new performance space and offices.
Mike Schuh reports from the new Everyman Theatre, across from the Hippodrome.
It's been the Empire, Palace and Town Theatres--now it's the Everyman.
"It's very exciting," said Vince Lancisi, Everyman artistic director.
Closed for more than 20 years, it was a gutted 100-year-old wreck. Now it has a new stage.
"These are electricians putting last-minute touches on our systems," Lancisi said.
A soundproof theatre nestled inside a shell. From vaudeville to burlesque, to movies, it's now a state-of-the-art performance space. With 250 all new seats, everyone has an amazing view.
"I can talk in my normal voice so actors can be a lot more natural on stage than they could in the old theatre which is tiny," said Lancisi.
On the walls and elsewhere are local actors from current and past companies.
While the guts and glass are still being installed, this multi-million dollar renovation is getting a heart transplant. The staff and everything they want from the old theatre on Charles Street is being trucked down.
It's a good time to be the artistic director.
"We had our resident members in the other night and they were literally in tears. It's like building a temple for us to play in," Lancisi said.
The first show at the new theatre will be "Osage County." Opening night is Jan. 14.
