Price drops for Bucks County Playhouse

The asking price for the  Bucks County Playhouse dropped Friday to $2.1 million, while two local nonprofit groups are pushing ahead with plans to save the iconic New Hope theater.

Stonebridge Bank, which took possession of the 439-seat theater in December, dropped the price from $2.23 million,  sales agent, James P. Gorecki said. The price was $2.79 million after the bank reclaimed the playhouse from longtime owner Ralph Miller.

Meanwhile, the  Center for the Performing Arts of Bucks County has lined up a $500,000 commitment toward buying the playhouse, said artistic director Howard Perloff of Carversville.

The commitment is from "an individual who does not want be named," said Perloff, a veteran producer of Broadway and off-Broadway shows. "We need to raise more money, and then we'll work with the bank."

Perloff said he is aiming to raise the full purchase price, since the bank may not want to hold a mortgage. Gorecki said he could not comment on the bank's position.

In addition to the purchase price, about $1.5 million is needed for renovations, he said.

Perloff, who is producing The Big Bang at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, wants the playhouse to operate year-round, presenting plays and musicals with local actors and performers from New York and other cities.

Jazz artists and solo performers also would be featured, he said, and children and young adults could take classes in dance, acting, voice, musical instruments and set design.

The second group, the Bucks County Playhouse Conservancy, is continuing to raise money, aiming for $250,000 to start negotiations with the bank, acting executive director Peggy McRae said. Then, Broadway producer Jed Bernstein can stage events with celebrity playhouse alumni to raise additonal money, she said.

The group, working with the Heritage Conservancy, a Doylestown-based nonprofit, has a $50,000 pledge contingent on raising $200,000, McRae said.

The group's volunteer engineer, Mary Acciani, said the playhouse will need about $924,000 in renovations to meet building codes. The work includes installation of sprinkler and fire detections systems and ramps and bathroom renovations for handicapped accessibility.

The playhouse, which opened in 1939, also can use a $1.1-million facelift, including a new roof, refurbished seats and a coat of paint, said Acciani, an associate principal at a New Jersey engineering firm.

"The bank thinks the numbers are high, but it's best to build in contingencies," said the Ewing, N.J., resident, whose son once performed on the playhouse stage.

The bank has taken care of "housekeeping work" that New Hope officials had requested , she said. That work includes dealing with water in the basement,  erosion near the Delaware River and shingle damage to the roof, Gorecki said.

Acciani and Bernstein will outline their renovation and production plans and raise money at a public forum in the playhouse  at 7 p.m., Nov. 2. Plays could start as early as next summer, McRae said.

As  for which group will reopen the playhouse, McRae said, "There can only be one artistic director, and we've teamed up with Jed because of his reputation and connections."  Perloff could produce shows in the off-season, she said.

"We want whatever is in the best interest of the playhouse," McRae said. "The community has got to support it."

Perloff added, "I'll work with anybody who wants to work together" to save the playhouse.

Center for the Performing Arts of Bucks County
215-297-8540
www.centerfortheperformingartsofbuckscounty.com

Bucks County Playhouse Conservancy
www.buckscountyplayhouseconservancy.org