By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Studio Arena Theatre could be close to rising from the ashes.
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Sheas President Anthony Conte was all smiles last week anticipating the opening of the smash hit Jersey Boys. But he had one other reason to be smiling.
Conte said a verbal agreement is in place and soon will be finalized to form a not-for-profit organization to take over Studio Arena. The region's premiere stage went dark in 2008 after falling three million dollars into debt. Conte said the banks agreed to turn over the building free-and-clear to the new entity.
Conte said the stage can be self-sustaining. Plans call for five shows a year to be presented on the stage. It also will be rented out for private parties and to other theatres in between.
But Conte said, for now, Studio Arena's legacy as a production house is in the past.
A contract with stage hands from Sheas is being negotiated. But that will be the only union contract involved. Conte said they have hired a couple extra staffers and will hire a few more part time to help with management of Studio Arena.