WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts has been the focal point of Public Square in Wilkes-Barre for generations. It was built as a movie theater in 1937 and opened as the Comerford Theatre in 1938.
"I've always said when the lights are on in the front of the Kirby Center, the downtown of Wilkes-Barre shines," said Neil Prisco, the Kirby's director of marketing.
It has long kept the arts shining brightly in Wilkes-Barre, as well, until a water line break put a damper on the season.
The broken pipe flooded the basement of the building last month, causing it to close for nearly two weeks.
"That flood really happened at the busiest time of the year, but it's really important that we keep our door open for the community," said Jordan Steiner, associate director of development.
While the show must go on, the repairs are still far from being complete. Which is why, this Giving Tuesday, the Kirby hopes people will donate to keep the curtain up.
"Because the Kirby Center is a nonprofit, a lot of these shows, they pretty much pay for the next shows to go on. They pay to basically keep the lights on, and the maintenance of the building. So the support people can give right now for Giving Tuesday, that really goes a long way," Prisco said.
The group has several missions, including the Laux Young People's Theater series, a free children's program to get them interested in the arts from an early age.
"We bring in about 8,000 local students from school districts all over northeastern Pennsylvania to give performances. They're all based on popular children's titles with all different types of topics," Steiner said.
This year, those who give back will also get something in return. They'll be entered into drawings for prizes, including tickets to a show or a special T-shirt.
"It's kind of funny. When every artist comes into the building, they say, 'How do you say Wilkes-Barre? Is it Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes bar, Wilkes berry?' So we made a shirt recognizing that idea," Prisco said.
Those looking to donate can do so on their website.
"We've had a lot of our members stick with us through things like COVID and through things like the flood. So, it's just amazing to have that support even when we go through tough times," Steiner added.
Prisco and Steiner hope to keep the lights shining brightly for generations to come in downtown Wilkes-Barre.