By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – Phoenix Productions has purchased on a new building that is triple the size of its current facility.
It’s a move that will enable the organization to greatly expand its program offerings to the community. The nonprofit community theater group hopes to begin operating out of the new building on Jan. 1.
“We’re chomping at the bit to get into the new space,” said Tom Martini, one of the founders of Phoenix Productions.
The property, located at 59 Chestnut St., is an 11,000-square-foot building that formerly housed the Academy of Dance Arts. Phoenix purchased it for just under $2 million. After about $200,000 in extensive renovations, the space will include fully equipped scene and costume shops and two large rehearsal studios. The 1.5-acre site also will allow for the future expansion of Phoenix Productions, which stages four Broadway revival shows a year, each with a live orchestra.
“It’s been a long time coming and a hard battle to get here,” Martini said. “This space will allow us to simultaneously rehearse while the sets are being built.”
Martini said the Count Basie Theatre has purchased Phoenix’s current space to expand its stage and loading capability.
Phoenix has more than 100 volunteer actors who often travel far just to take part in one of its shows.
“I’m in awe of the talent we get,” said Martini, a retired marketing executive who now gives his all to the organization.
After Phoenix Productions was formed in 1988 – its first show was ”Jesus Christ Superstar” – the members performed during July and August at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft. But there was no room there when the organization wanted to grow.
“We were limited as to what we could do because we had no home for 10 months out of the year,” Martini said. “We were nomads.”
They started looking for a 600-seat theater but ended up making a deal to use the Basie when no shows were scheduled there, even though it has more than 1,500 seats.
“We got our toe in,” Martini said. “The plaster was falling off the ceiling and the place was a shambles, but we tolerated it. Miraculously over the years, we’ve both gotten better. We’re both institutions now.”
In 1996, Phoenix purchased a Wawa convenience store on Monmouth Street to use as its base.
“It was too small but it was right next to the Basie and we needed a place,” he said.
Phoenix has presented more than 130 shows at the Count Basie Theatre in the past quarter century. During that time, it has amassed a sizable collection of costumes, scenery and props, and in recent years has rented additional space in nearby buildings to house it all. That cost will soon be unnecessary.
Once settled into its new space, Phoenix’s board plans to institute additional education programs for children, adults and seniors.
“We look forward to providing more classes and year-round programs to the community,” said Lindsay Wood, president of Phoenix Productions. “We are excited to expand Phoenix and open up our doors to new opportunities in the performing arts.”
The organization also aims to build a black-box theater where the troupe can put on smaller shows.
“Presenting large-scale hit musicals on the Count Basie stage has defined us for decades,” Wood said. “But often there are interesting, challenging works that would be lost in the Basie. With this new venue, we will be able to provide the intimate setting such works deserve.”
Phoenix’s 2015 schedule of shows includes “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Mary Poppins,” “Evita” and “Peter Pan.”
For season subscriptions or to make a donation to the nonprofit organization, visit www.phoenixredbank.com.
