The show will go on

COEUR d’ALENE — The show WILL go on for the Lake City Playhouse.

Just not AT the Lake City Playhouse.

The nonprofit is producing its first play since its 200-seat theater closed in January 2020 due to COVID-19. In May 2021, it was flooded and interior floors and walls were damaged when a main water pipe broke underneath the floor, which led to myriad troubles and a huge mess.

While the theater on Garden Avenue remains closed, the playhouse will be putting on "Matilda" at the Kroc Center in October.

“Everything is going in the right direction,” said Brooke Wood, playhouse board president and play director.

A big boost was a recent $25,000 donation from Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty to go toward the estimated $125,000 needed for playhouse repairs and renovations.

“At Coldwell Banker we believe these opportunities to invest in the community are really important,” said Gary Schneidmiller, founder, chairman and broker. “And we think it is more than an opportunity but a responsibility.”

Brooke Wood and husband Damon Wood, also helping with efforts to raise playhouse curtains, were appreciative.

“We’ve been working very hard,” Brooke Wood said.

The Woods are part of the Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty team. When Gary Schneidmiller heard about their efforts to reopen the playhouse, he stepped up with the donation.

The company also provided space in its training room for play rehearsals.

“What a momentum-gainer,” Damon Wood said. “Talk about making you feel like ‘let’s go do this.'"

They hope the gift will inspire others to do the same and are also selling T-shirts and patio bricks to raise money.

“We want to show this community we mean business to be back in business,” Brooke Wood said. “We’re going to accomplish this.”

Their first play in three years is a big step.

Matilda, with a cast and crew of about 50, is scheduled Oct. 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and 29 at the Kroc Center, which is donating the theater space.

Already, more than 200 tickets have been sold for what Wood promises will be a terrific show.

"A very talented group of kids,” she said.

The Woods hope to have the playhouse's theater reopen this spring.

Cleanup and landscaping work has been done. Flooring and wall must be repaired and the bathrooms renovated.

The stage and seating area is OK.

While there have been offers to buy the building, the playhouse board does not want to do that.

Brooke Wood said they want to keep the 100-year-old theater intact. Its small, cozy venue offers an experience not found elsewhere, she said.

“We can do some pieces that not everybody else can do," she said.

A strong sense of family and community has lived there for decades.

"It's touched a lot of lives," Brooke Wood said. “The community wants to see the Lake City Playhouse survive. To watch that go away would be terrible.”

The Woods believe the Lake City Playhouse has a bright future and could become a community arts center. They hope to add on to the Playhouse, perhaps rent out space and have music lessons to generate revenue.

Whatever it takes, they will continue putting on plays and raising money.

“It’s a very important institution to this town and to the people," Brooke Wood said.

For tickets to Matilda, to buy T-shirts or bricks: www.lakecityplayhouse.org.