Another new theatre - this time in Little Italy

Mille Sabords · #1 Posted: **Aug 18, 2008, 2:04 AM**

Things are looking good for Preston Street. I was wondering what happened to the old GCTC space; after they left there were people who were trying to convert it into a live music bar and I went to see a show there with some fellow Forumers last December (Kruger Brothers), then it fell dark again. I guess the bar people didn't have their act together, the night we went to that show they didn't have their liquor licence yet... anyway, this here is good! Looking forward to seeing their marquee sign.

===================================================

August 9, 2008
Raising the curtain
By DENIS ARMSTRONG, SUN MEDIA

Steve Martin did what the City of Ottawa, the Chamber Music Society and a half-dozen homeless theatre companies couldn't do for themselves.

He used his own money to launch an artistic venture. He bought GCTC's old theatre at 910 Gladstone Ave., and is converting it into one of the swankiest venues for live theatre in the city.

CRAFTY ENTREPRENEUR

Martin is a crafty entrepreneur who's got show business in his blood. He owns the successful Arthur Murray Dance Studio next door, and has watched Preston St. go from four blocks of Italian eateries into an emerging entertainment district firsthand.

So, when the city and various arts communities abandoned all the plans and public meetings to buy the old GCTC theatre, Martin and his wife Marilisa saw a slam-dunk opportunity.

"Live theatre is on the rise in Ottawa," the 38-year-old Martin says. "As a businessman, I know the appetite for theatre is there. Buying The Gladstone theatre and being a part of the Preston St. scene was a good, sound business decision.

"People want to be entertained when economic times are bad, and they want to have a good time when times are good," he adds.

Martin likes to live large. But at the same time, he's a sharp businessman with a keen eye for a deal.

He bought the empty building for $525,000, a price he calls "a bargain," then spent another $750,000 for renovations and transforming the building from a cinderblock garage into an elegant theatre, expanding the lobby and the backstage area, decorating the box-office and lobby with granite floors and counters and elegant chandeliers, red carpets and installing an eye-catching marquee to the new facade.

"Jaws will drop when people see it," he promises. "Especially those who knew the theatre when it was GCTC. I want it to be more like going to a private party."

Martin has recruited four of Ottawa's most popular theatre companies -- 7:30 Productions, Odyssey Theatre, Company of Fools and Martin's own Gladstone Theatre -- to create 12 productions in their first season, which opens on Sept. 11 with Alan Ayckbourn's scabrous comedy How the Other Half Loves.

Also planned is David Lindsay-Abaire's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Rabbit Hole, Martin McDonought's award-winning Lieutenant of Inishmore, Donal O'Kelly's Catalpa, John Patrick Stanley's Pulitzer Prize-winner Doubt, David Mamet's gripping Glengarry Glen Ross and A Guy Named Joe, Odyssey Theatre's first indoor production in 24 years of outdoor theatre-making.

SHORTAGE OF SPACE

Given the citywide shortage of theatre space and all the new companies that have come on to the scene, The Gladstone's first season is almost fully booked. That bodes well for Martin, an avid amateur actor who is funding the project out of his own pocket. Eventually, he wants to be operating 45 weeks a year and perhaps perform in a couple shows himself.

"The easiest way for an actor to get the best roles is to buy the theatre," he jokes before adding seriously, "This is my first, not my last theatre."

For more information, go to www.thegladstone.ca.

Jamaican-Phoenix · #2 Posted: **Aug 19, 2008, 12:04 AM**

Hopefully it works out.

And that Kruger Brothers show was awesome!

Mille Sabords · #3 Posted: **Sep 4, 2008, 2:51 AM**

Couple of shots of the newly revamped façade (by me):

The canopy where the new marquee will soon be installed (can't wait):

Nice detail on the windows:

Ottawade · #4 Posted: **Sep 4, 2008, 3:19 PM**

Looks nice!

Jamaican-Phoenix · #5 Posted: **Sep 4, 2008, 6:52 PM**

Sweet.

Kitchissippi · #6 Posted: **Sep 4, 2008, 7:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mille Sabords

Nice detail on the windows:

You mean "windows"

Some hardcore architects are going to cringe at these mirrors-cum-windows and the pseudo classicist façade. Fits in with the Little Italy scene, though.

O-Town Hockey · #7 Posted: **Sep 4, 2008, 9:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

You mean "windows"

Some hardcore architects are going to cringe at these mirrors-cum-windows and the pseudo classicist façade. Fits in with the Little Italy scene, though.

I think it looks pretty good. Preston is such a mish-mash of various architecture that really anything goes. Can't be any worse than the God aweful pillars with the red, white and green lights at the entrance to Preston from Queen Elizabeth.

movebyleap · #8 Posted: **Sep 5, 2008, 2:44 AM**

SUPER!! Finally a stand-alone theatre that's not crushed under condos (such as the new GCTC and proposed concert hall). I salute the businessman who had the vision to make this happen!!

Mille Sabords · #9 Posted: **Sep 5, 2008, 2:55 AM**

"Crushed under condos"?? Why is that a bad thing? Vancouver's Paramount Theatre (10 screens) is in the podium of a condo tower and looks great. GCTC looks quirky with its angled tower, but it somehow works in that area. This new Gladstone Theatre is simply recycling an old building (which was originally a body shop or something of that ilk).

fireicedog · #10 Posted: **Sep 5, 2008, 3:37 AM**

WOW, can't believe that is the old GCTC building, major props to the businessman who is doing this. Preston is becoming quite the destination for live entertainment with the recent addition of the second yuk yuks, along with absolute comedy.

c_speed3108 · #11 Posted: **Sep 13, 2008, 1:51 AM**

Opening night....

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/stor...ne-080912.html

Quote:

Glamorous Gladstone theatre opens in Ottawa
Last Updated: Friday, September 12, 2008 | 12:52 PM ET
CBC News

Theatregoers gather in front of The Gladstone before its gala opening. Ottawa businessman Steve Martin spent more than $1 million of his own money to transform the cinderblock garage that used to house the Great Canadian Theatre Company. (Kate Porter/CBC)

An art-deco style theatre with red carpets and crystal chandeliers debuted Thursday night in a former cinderblock garage that once housed the Great Canadian Theatre Company.

A full house of friends, family and other theatre lovers packed The Gladstone theatre in Hintonburg Thursday evening to take in the results of its transformation — and the British farce How the Other Half Loves.

The gala opening was the culmination of a dream for Steve Martin, an Ottawa businessman who, wearing a canary yellow jacket, ushered guests into the theatre Thursday.

Martin, who owns a dance studio a few doors down, bought the old GCTC building last summer after that theatre company moved to its new home on Wellington Street.

"We wanted to create a look and feel that reflected a gone by era perhaps and I think we've achieved that," said Steve Martin. (CBC)

He put more than $1 million of his own money into the renovations, and is pleased with what the porcelain tiles, the new façade, the flashy marquee and other details have done.

"That's exactly the feel we're looking for — that red carpet treatment for not only the actors on stage but for the guests visiting the Gladstone," he said. "We wanted to create a look and feel that reflected a gone-by era perhaps and I think we've achieved that."

On Thursday, theatregoers such as Wendy Sewell admired the new decor.

"I like the way it invokes the old golden age of theatre. And it brings people out and they can dress up and enjoy a good play."
Tony, Pulitzer winners to take stage

Martin said he's well aware that the decor isn't enough to keep people coming back.

"It's what actually happens onstage."

Opening night ended with nearly the whole house rising to its feet to applaud How the Other Half Loves, a play about three married couples by Alan Ayckbourn directed by John P. Kelly and featuring several Ottawa actors.

The theatre's first 11-play season is to feature accessible works that have won Tony awards and Pulitzer prizes, which Martin is hoping will pack the theatre night after night and help him turn a profit and keep local actors and crews employed.

Many of the plays will be performed by local theatre companies that never before had a home.

Kelly, director of Seven Thirty Productions, said that will make a big difference for his company.

"In order to have a loyal audience, you need to build a subscription list. You need to make people feel they're a part of the venture, a part of the production … and the only way you do that is with a home."

I saw a story on this on TV...the inside is really nice.