W. Covina Troupe Hopes 3rd Time’s a Charm, Seeks Home

The season finale was “Little Shop of Horrors.”

But “One for the Road” might have been more like it.

For the third time in its six years of existence, the West Covina Playhouse is losing its home.

The troupe has until December to leave its present location, a city-owned building that used to be a Sir George’s Smorgasbord Royal Buffet restaurant. It will be demolished as part of a controversial $122-million expansion of the Fashion Plaza shopping mall.

Since 1988, the city has leased the building to the nonprofit theater group for $1 a year and spent more than $16,000 to renovate it for the group’s use.

The city already has granted one extension by allowing the troupe to stay until December instead of September, when the lease runs out, said Karan Johnson, project manager for West Covina.

But more extensions are impossible, city officials said. “When the developers take over, they will have to move,” said Steve Wylie, assistant to West Covina’s city manager. “(The theater group) is always looking for a home.”

When the Playhouse was formed six years ago, performances were held at the West Covina Senior Citizens Center, said Jerry Horowitz, co-founder and president of the organization.

Two years later, when it outgrew the center, the troupe used the West Covina High School stage for a while, then moved to Edgewood Middle School until it started its two-year stint in the present building.

“We were clutching at straws,” Horowitz said. “We were hoping that things would get better, and if we were good, who knows, maybe they would let us keep the building.”

Despite the uncertainty, the company plans to kick off its new season Aug. 31 with a production of “Steel Magnolias,” which will run through Sept. 22 at the former smorgasbord building.

Meanwhile, theater backers are pinning their hopes on a proposal by a San Dimas developer who wants to build a stage for live theater as part of an entertainment center.

The City Council gave preliminary approval to the project July 9, with a final vote expected within 90 days.

Developer Gary Kanter said the 120,000-square-foot development--including restaurants, retail stores, multiple-screen theaters and a playhouse--would be completed in early 1992 at the northwest corner of Barranca Street and Garvey Avenue.

If approved, the West Covina Playhouse would be able to use the facility for a nominal charge, Kanter said, adding that the rate for using the theater would increase if the company prospers.

In the meantime, Horowitz said he will ask developers to delay demolition of the building until the new playhouse is completed.

Michael Shulman, managing partner of the Fashion Plaza project, said Playhouse officials had not contacted him. In any case, because the city will continue to own the site, Shulman said, he is unsure whether he has the authority to spare the Playhouse building.

The 20-acre expansion area is scheduled to be razed and graded in January, he said.

If all else fails, the organization may try to build its own building. The group has $15,000 in a building fund, Horowitz said.

Sharon Upchurch, Playhouse manager of publicity and ticketing, said the troupe has about 3,100 names on its mailing list and more than 200 season-ticket holders.

It puts on nine plays a year. Past performances have included “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “Godspell.”

All members of the cast and crew are volunteers.

Ticket prices are about the same as for a movie: $7 for adults, $6 for students and senior citizens, and $4 for children under 12.

One faithful fan is Elaine Lazzeroni.

“I think the city should find a place to give them,” Lazzeroni said. “I’ve been a resident since 1955, and it’s a shame that we don’t have a (theater) for live shows.

“They did a beautiful job with ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’ It was better than the TV (version).”