Theater group protests lease plan

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- Filling the City Council chambers with Judy Garland’s

“Over the Rainbow” on Tuesday, a group of young actors, parents and

teachers asked council members to allow them to use the city-owned

Newport Theatre Arts Center until they can find another performance

space.

Members of the Newport Beach Theater Co., a nonprofit organization

aimed at exposing children to all aspects of putting on a show, had come

to protest a proposal by Councilwoman Norma Glover to sign a 10-year

lease with Friends of Newport Theatre Arts Center, the group that runs

the theater.

“We don’t understand why the council, knowing of our request to use

the theater for children’s performances, directed the city attorney to

draft an exclusive, long-term lease for the sole benefit of [the current

group] that would prohibit the children from using the theater,” said

Michael Safran, a board member of the company.

Safran added that the group in charge of the center only uses the

theater 112 days out of the year.

While acknowledging that the theater did not open for performances for

more than about 120 days, Rae Cohen, the group’s president, said

Wednesday that she needed the space for rehearsals and set construction

for most of the year. The group puts on about six annual shows, each

running for several weeks.

Cohen added that guest performers had used the theater, at 2501 Cliff

Drive, in the past. But those events were limited to only a few days.

“I’m very protective of the schedule we have and maintain for our

season-ticket holders,” she said.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Councilman Gary Proctor said he felt “a little

foolish” listening to comments made by Safran and others. Because the

issue was not part of the meeting’s agenda, council members could not

discuss the situation. Council members will debate the proposed lease

agreement at their March 13 meeting.

“Theater’s my child’s life too,” Proctor said. “I don’t want to sit

here and [have residents] feel that we’re not addressing the issue.”

Councilman Steve Bromberg, a board member of the Balboa Performing

Arts Theater Foundation, said the Newport Beach Theater Co. would be

welcome at the Balboa Theater when it reopens after renovation.

“I’m very excited about you being handed to us on a silver plate,” he

said. “I can’t wait to work with you.”