High Springs Playhouse gets upgrades

Photo SUZETTE COOK/Alachua County Today

 

HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs Playhouse has a fresh coat of exterior paint and a fresh set of events listed on the marquee out front.

According to President of High Springs Playhouse Linda Burleson, the fresh coat of Windy Blue, Bracing and Quicksilver colors have people taking a second look at the 1950s structure that is currently featuring the youth production of “The Jungle Book.”

 Robert Karl owner of Karl’s Painting and Home Repair out of Gainesville put some finishing touches on the theater Friday. “It was an old brown and they picked out the new colors,” Karl said. “It’s brightened up and everybody really loves the new colors.”

Burleson said the renovations come from “generous sponsors and donations.”

“It desperately needed it,” Burleson said. “I think we’ve gotten the right reactions. It’s catching people’s eye as they go by. It’s refreshing.”

On the porch of the theater sits a giant bench that once served as a prop from a production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.”

“We replaced this ramp,” Burleson said about the access ramp that leads up to the porch. “Our plan is for it to last forever.”

“This took a lot of money,” she said. “Donations came from the High Springs CRA and from the community. People really stepped up.”

The recent production “The Jungle Book” took the stage on Aug. 7 with a sold out crowd.

Set designer Daniel Palmer helped with the stage,” Burleson said.

He crafted the hut from the jungle and “Made it wonderful,” she added. “Best set we’ve had all year.”

 One major interior upgrade are the arches over the decorative windows, said Burleson.

The next project the playhouse is working on solving is leaky air conditioner.

“A few weeks ago, they brought in an air conditioning service that cleaned out the air conditioner,” Burleson said. “We have a bad Freon leak and are Band-Aiding it every weekend getting a recharge of Freon.

“We are scrambling to raise money,” she said. Quotes for a new system are coming in at $7,000 to $13,000.

 Upcoming events include the production of “Harvey” and on Aug. 29, Burleson said “Directors are being invited to come see the playhouse.

“We’re inviting experienced directors who were here, but haven’t seen the building in a while. Others have directed here before we got these seats,” she added.

“Now we have professional lighting, sound, and want to get people back in here to see the changes.”