The stage lights again are back on at the Landmark Theatre in Downtown Syracuse. A stage house expansion and renovation of the historic theatre is done, with a grand reopening celebration Fridat night, and a performance by comedian Bill Cosby Saturday night. Landmark Executive Director Denise DerRenzo says the changes mostly stretch from the proscenium stage back.
“We have a brand new stage,” said DiRienzo. It’s bigger, it’s taller, it’s more to the sides. And all the support areas. We have a two story stage house that we never had before. We can now fit and accommodate any traveling show coming in.”
The renovation cost $16 million, and DeRienzo says there were no cost overruns. They have 28 shows booked already, but she says the community will see the full power of all the changes next fall.
“We’re really going to be starting in our new season, which is next October because a lot of the shows do site visits and they really don’t believe it’s built until it’s built,” she said.
The renovation also puts the landmark into the landlord business. In order to get the space for the expansion, they had to buy several adjacent storefronts, and will work now on renting those Jefferson and Clinton street properties.
