Another run for the arts

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Grand-opening dates for a renovated Balboa Theater

have come and gone. So organizers of the renovations have come up with a

more accurate way to predict when it will be completed.

“We’ll open in $4 million; that’s the date we’re setting,” said

Michele Roberge, executive director of the Balboa Performing Arts Theater

Foundation.

Measured this way, time will speed up Saturday when the foundation

holds its third annual 5K Run/Walk for the Arts. About 500 people are

expected to participate in the fund-raiser, which begins at 8 a.m. in

front of the theater at 707 E. Balboa Blvd.

Money raised will put a dent in the $4 million still needed to

complete the $6.5 million renovation of the historic theater.

Last used as a movie house, the theater has sat empty since 1992.

Efforts to transform the aging Vaudeville house into a jewel of Newport

Beach and the hub of its performing arts have been stepped up in the last

year.

Foundation members have plans for a 350-seat proscenium house, not

unlike South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. Roberge said the new facility

will be a space for all the performing arts, including dance and

childrens’ theater, as well as film.

Money isn’t the only thing holding up the theater, though. A series of

logistical problems have plagued the process, too. For example, there

isn’t enough dressing room space, and the only place to put one is under

the water table -- an engineering conundrum. Most recently, foundation

members learned that their plans to tear out a wall would mean tearing

out a neighbor’s electrical supply. Foundation members are working with

the electric company to fix the problem.

But organizers and arts lovers say it will be well worth the trouble.

“I’ll love to see the energy and vitality the theater can bring to

Balboa, and how it will bring vibrancy to the area for local merchants,

too,” board member Amy Larson said. “I’m just really excited about its

potential as a home for theater and dance and film and all those

wonderful things.”

FYI

WHAT: 5K Run/Walk for the Arts

WHERE: In front of the Balboa Theater, 707 E. Balboa Blvd.

WHEN: Saturday; same-day registration starts at 6:30 a.m.; race starts

at 8:15 a.m.; 1/2 mile kids’ run starts at 8 a.m.

WHERE: Balboa Theater, 707 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach

COST: Registration is $23 in advance, $25 the day of the run; kids’

walk entry is $5.

CONTACT: To register, call (949) 673-0895 or visit o7

https://www.active.com.

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