I just got word that, after nine years as a main player in Central Oregon’s theatrical world, 2nd Street Theater will be closing for good following the upcoming run of Harvey.
From our angle, things seemed to be going well with the 2nd Street, with the theater recently wrapping up a month-long run of Evil Dead: The Musical, which featured several packed houses (and plenty of stage blood, too) in October. But in the long run, 2nd Street owner, the acclaimed television writer Maralyn Thoma says that due to the hard economic climate, the theater, as we currently know it, will be closing.
But, from what Thoma says, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve seen the last of the theater, even though the building is currently for sale.
“It was a very hard decision to make but since we will still own the building, it will be open for other groups to produce shows and rent the space for parties and events. I may even produce one or two shows a year as long as the building is available,” Thoma said in a press release this morning.
Again, we haven’t necessarily seen the last of 2nd Street, given that Harvey, the classic comedy best known for its Jimmy Stewart film adaptation, opens on December 3 (The Source will have a full review in the next issue). And who knows, maybe someone else will step in and keep the spot going as a theater or at least a spot where plays can still be staged on occasion.
This article appears in Nov 19-25, 2009.
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So nearly a year later, I am happy to report that 2nd Street Theater is still going strong, just a little restructured! Between BEAT finding a new home at 2nd Street and some independent productions that keep in the “spirit” of 2nd Street Theater caliber plays, we’re still entertaining audiences on a regular basis! Our tiny little theater has a full winter and spring schedule planned, starting with a revival of Evil Dead the Musical in October. BEAT is bringing the hit musical Rent to the stage in November, we’ve got some great things in the works for December, Cricket Daniel is producing her second play, Love Laughter and Lucci in January, followed by the Susan Benson production of The Rainmaker in February! While Maralyn herself is not producing plays, 2nd Street is very much alive and doing okay. It is a great venue for music and film, dance recitals and even weddings. BEAT has a full season planned for 2011, and we’re looking at several plays for the fall of 2011. So your last paragraph, Mike, has come to fruition. Things are still happening at 2nd Street!