Lamp Theatre project puts the spotlight on downtown Irwin
A decade after it closed its doors as a movie house, the historic Lamp Theatre in Irwin will return to life in an expanded role, hosting live events as well as films.
Three special events in the next two weeks will open the theater to the public for the first time as a live venue. The performances will include a comedy duo, a Beatles tribute band and a country music concert.
The three events are intended to raise funds in advance of the official grand opening, tentatively scheduled for the fall.
“This is a soft opening,” says John Cassandro, a member of the Lamp Theatre Corporation board of directors and an Irwin councilman. “There is still some work to be done. We're booking acts now to raise money to operate the theater.”
The Lamp originally opened in 1937. It closed in 2005 as the market for movies changed. It was sold several times until the borough of Irwin bought it in 2013. With a combination of funding and volunteer labor, the theater has undergone renovations that are expected to be completed in the fall.
Cassandro credits the volunteers with making the Lamp project possible. Without them, the available funds would not have stretched far enough to complete the work, he says.
“It's been a real community project. It's a terrific group of people,” he says.
A comedy show by The Sweethearts will kick off the fundraising series on Aug. 27. Chicago comedians Ryan Ben and Adam Schreck will perform a mix of sketches and improv. The event will benefit Beverly's Birthdays, which provides birthday parties for homeless and at-risk children. Audience members may bring a new birthday gift or Giant Eagle gift card to donate to a child in need.
The centerpiece of the three events will be an Aug. 29 concert by Beatles tribute-band Hard Day's Night. The band re-creates the appearance and sound of The Beatles, right down to wearing replicas of their outfits, playing the same kinds of instruments and performing the band's songs note for note. They performed in Liverpool, England, for International Beatles Week. “They're that good,” Cassandro says. “We're lucky to have them.”
The third fundraising event will be a concert Sept. 5 by Moonshine Steel, a Pittsburgh-based country-music band. They perform current and classic country hits.
All three performances have been donated to the theater to aid in fundraising. Tickets can be purchased online at lamptheatre.org or at the door. Refreshments will be available.
As a valuable cultural resource, the theater's cultural and economic impact will reach well beyond Irwin.
“The opening of The Lamp Theatre will positively add to the ever-growing cultural presence of Westmoreland County along with the added benefit to the Irwin community,” says Westmoreland Cultural Trust president Mike Langer. “The opening of the theatre is a tribute to the dedicated people of Irwin who have worked diligently to see this valuable project become a reality. This is good news.”
Irwin mayor Bob Wayman agrees.
“The opening of Lamp Theatre has been greatly anticipated,” he says. “Next week's opening should be a most memorable event.”
Cynthia Bombach Helzel is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.
