There’s an old adage in business that the first year is the most difficult. When that new venture is a venue for the arts, it can be an even more treacherous road to navigate. But after less than a year in existence, Scranton’s Vintage Theater is not only surviving — it has undergone a major expansion in a new-and-improved location.
After opening in the former location of The Ritz movie theater on Wyoming Avenue, the Vintage Theater moved to a more spacious spot on Penn Avenue. And this weekend it will host the world premier of a stage reading of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” as well as introduce its new caf�.
During the week and before and after shows, the caf� will be open from 3 p.m. to midnight, with coffee by Nanticoke-based Grateful Roast and fare like drinks, desserts (including homemade fudge) and homemade dips and hummus.
The caf�’s Friday grand opening will coincide with the first theatre production in the new Vintage location, a stage reading adaptation of Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” by London playwright Joanna Norland. The theater’s Executive Director Conor O’Brien said that the event came about while he was working on putting together the Vintage’s 2009-10 schedule. He found out that Norland was looking for a U.S. venue in which to debut her production, he contacted her and she agreed to have the production make its debut in Scranton.
The reading features nine actors portraying more than 15 roles from the novel. Stephen Pauley plays only one, Mr. Darcy, one of the lead characters. During the Weekender’s visit to the theater last Wednesday evening, Pauley said he’s grown accustomed to reacting to the same actors playing different characters and was confident the cast — none of whom he had met before rehearsals began — would pull it off just fine.
“They’ll each have a key costume item” that will help him identify whom they’re playing, Pauley said.
Without an elaborate stage set and with intimate lighting, the focus will be on Austen’s words, which means the actors must be even more diligent in their performances.
The show will run for two weekends and is under the direction of Heather Stuart, a professional actress and Electric Theatre Company member, and Barbara O’Brien, the theater’s co-founder and film director, as well as Conor’s mother.
An alternative space
The revamped Vintage Theater, in a space with high ceilings and hardwood floors that previously housed a skateboard shop and a florist, also marks a partnership with Scranton Rhythm, a likeminded local arts organization. Scranton Rhythm’s Theresa O’Connor and Andrea Scahill had been working on a business plan for a late-night gallery and caf�, which they will now implement at Vintage. O’Connor also serves as the theater’s art director, and Cahill is its business outreach director. (O’Connor and Scahill started “The Office” tours, which used to begin at the Steamtown Mall but now begin at Vintage.)
O’Brien initially opened the Vintage as a place to show classic films. He said that has taken a bit of a backseat lately, but he added that with the caf� about to open, it makes sense to combine the movies with food and drink.
Since the venue opened, it has also placed a heavy emphasis on musical performances. O’Brien said bands from 20 different states and three countries, including a British band touring with Scranton’s The Menzingers, have played at Vintage. Local and out-of-town touring acts will still be a focus for the venue.
“We live in a very talented community,” said Scahill. “We’re trying to tap into that. We’re trying to tap into artists at the raw, early stages of their careers.”
The spacious room, with a stage near the entrance, movable tables and chairs and a bar for the caf�, is decorated with homemade and donated art, and it’s also furnished by used and donated pieces, further strengthening the vintage theme.
The previous Vintage location had room for about 70 patrons, but now it can fit about 200, O’Brien said. As in the previous building, the “goal is to provide a space for the under 21,” but he added that the organizers are also offering a “wide range of programming” that should cross age lines and other demographics.
“It’s an alternative to the bars,” Scahill said.
“Or maybe you want a night off,” added O’Connor.
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‘Pride and Prejudice,’ Friday/Saturday, Nov. 6-7, 13-14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, 15 at 3 p.m. at Vintage Theater (119 Penn Ave., Scranton). Cost: $7, $5 students and seniors. Caf� grand opening Friday Nov. 6 Info: 570.344.6344, www.scrantonsvintagetheater.com
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