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FROM OUR TOWN

Four Pearl River Theater proposals offered for consideration to Orangetown Council Majority vote gives theater groups extension in time
By Anne Phyllis Pinzow
Staff Writer

With mixed visions of the closing of the Helen Hayes Theater in Nyack as well as the riot at the McDonalds not 100 feet from the Palisades Mall Theater fresh in the minds of the Orangetown town council, a majority expressed the desire to allow an extension of time for entrepreneurs to come up with real number business plans.

This will mean a further postponement for the Skyview condominium PAC zone change proposal. At the special public meeting on the subject held Tuesday night at the Tappan Zee High School, chosen for the expected crowd, three draft proposals were presented which had been received by the Pearl River Theater Development Corporation.

Complete with a slide show on why the revival of the theater will bring revitalization to downtown Pearl River, Pat Murphy-Stark of Blauvelt made the presentation to a packed house. Robert S. Sunshine, representing Stage Left Children's Theater and Rivertown Film Society Financials turned in a plan for consideration which would provide drama and music classes, provide jobs, pay rent and, of course taxes.

He also anticipated, in his proposal how, with the expanded facilities, Stage Left would be able to accommodate more children into the group as well as present plays in December as well as May (which is when their plays are produced now).

Sunshine also gave the town council a breakdown of the income and expense sheet for Rivertown Film Society, a non-profit group, demonstrating a a continued increase in public support for Stage Left. In his proposal he also states that Danielle Ruddess, of the Helen Hayes Children's Theater has also expressed interests in participating in the projected uses and support of the Pearl River Theater. Another proposal, offered by Beckerle Productions is for operations as a theater showing first run and classic films, concert hall, community and professional playhouse, performance space for comedy nights and a coffee shop.

Additionally, Beckerle anticipates having a Starbucks or Starbucks like franchise. Because of the variety of entertainment and community-based events made available, Beckerle writes that "The Pearl River Theater would reach out to the large restaurant base that the downtown area offers, as the restaurant business and movie business are mutually beneficial to one another." He anticipates "dinner and a movie deals as well as scheduling show times that are convenient for those looking for dining and entertainment evenings.

Beckerle also sees the theater as generating revenue through lives shows, corporate events and private adult and birthday parties and has already made connections with local corporate event planners. It should be noted here that the old Central Theater, was still hosting birthday parties until the land was sold to Commerce Bank.

Beckerle requested that the Orangetown Board allow the PRTDC to work with outside investors to come up with a financial plan.

A third proposal, by Hal Mintz co-chairmen of Woodcliff Films, brought in by Councilman Denis O'Donnell. He wrote in his proposal that he believes "that small theaters can be forces of positive change and centers of the arts, not just the venue for projecting the next Spider Man.

He envisions a three floor, five theater complex with the largest of the theaters taking up the first floor holding a stage for a variety of live performance venues. A third floor theater will be reserved for special scheduled private functions including accommodations for teleconferencing.

He also suggests a video game room and party rooms, a kitchen, dressing rooms and green room as well as regular and upscale concession stands and café area as well as a gift shop where "movie souvenirs and Pearl River clothing and chocktkes" could be sold.

The only proposal to so, far, come in with a budget, Mintz anticipates a cost of $4 million to make his vision a reality but writes that he has already initiated financing discussions. Not surprising, Mintz, in his proposal speaks of parking being an issue.

While Supervisor Thom Kleiner and Council people Denis O'Donnell and Marie Manning have all expressed their support for the theater project previously at meetings of the PRTDC. However Councilman Tom Morr said that while only one of the proposals speaks of actual investment and gives a monetary estimate, he feels it's enough to support a postponement of a decision on the zone change.

Councilman Denis Troy, has always said that while he wants to see the revival of the theater as much as anyone, he also wants what's best for the town.

"If there is a viable entity that's coming in that's willing to put the money in to bringing back a movie theater and also presents itself as a long term solution." While the business proposals are at the concept stages of presentation, the PRTDC has been hard at work and has gotten a grant writer on board.

Michael O'Sullivan reported that the non-profit corporation has received, all told, $24,000 in donations from people throughout Orangetown as well as signatures from more than 2,600 names, with a significant number from other than Pearl River residents as well as online names coming in from out of state. In fact, many of these have come from senior citizens, contrary to the fact that this project would defeat a proposal for senior housing in the middle of the downtown.

However Manning said at a PRTDC meeting that there is more than enough housing projects for all demographics already in the works that the lose of 12 units would not be felt. O'Donnell said he was in discussions with present property owner Ed Lane as to what he would consider a fair means of bringing back the Pearl River Theater.

Learn more about how you can contribute or volunteer to save the theater. Email us at savethetheater@PRTDC.org or call us at 800-217-0091.