SCRANTON -- Seats will be filled and music playing in a junior high auditorium in Scranton for the first time in twenty years.
The remodeled theater, located in the former North Scranton Junior High School, is providing another performing arts space for Lackawanna County. The building on North Main Avenue was renovated into senior apartments recently after sitting empty for twenty years.
It's been a long time since there's been a piano onstage the seats filled, but they will be soon. The theater, now dubbed The Theater at North, will have its first show this weekend.
"People have such a connection to this school, and they want to come back, and they want to see it, and they want to see life brought back into it. It means so much to them and it sat dormant for so long and now it's back," said Theatre at North Director Carrie Colaiezzi.
Theatre at North will host musician Wade Preston from Broadway's Movin' Out this Saturday evening for its first show. The performance space is a business venture for the building's owner, Goodwill Industries.
"What we're going to probably do in the first year is mix it up a little. See what people like," Colaiezzi added.
Folks think the opening of Theatre at North could have a big impact on the entire area. Show business is like any other business--the more competition you have, the more opportunity.
"We have beautiful theaters downtown but that might not fit everybody's space, needs, or budget, so I think having more opportunities is great," said Maureen McGuigan, Lackawanna County's Deputy Director of Arts and Culture.
McGuigan told Newswatch 16 that the new addition is good for artists. It also saved an architectural gem in Scranton.
"It`s a great opportunity for our artists and our community," she added.
Tickets are still available for Saturday's show at Theatre at North. So far, 500 tickets have been sold.