Renovated Yorktown Stage takes center stageÂ

Refurbishments to Yorktown Stage include 551 new seats in the theater and an upgraded lobby. Courtesy Yorktown Stage.

On Friday, Feb. 17, Yorktown Stage celebrated a $1.2 million renovation with a grand reopening starring singer-songwriter Anthony Nunziata.

”¯Improvements include”¯551”¯new seats and new”¯carpeting”¯throughout the facility. The lobby has been upgraded with new light fixtures, fresh paint and new couches. Other work consists of a new roof and new air conditioning and heating equipment. The rehabilitation comes at a time when the for-profit company is experiencing explosive growth.

”¯“Post-pandemic, the theater is attracting audiences from beyond northern Westchester County,” said Barry Liebman, Yorktown Stage”™s”¯producing director. “We had more than 1,000 registrations”¯in our summer camp”¯last season”¯and our dance programs are”¯very popular. Our programming is a great way to expose”¯children”¯and adults to Broadway productions and musical theater.”

”¯The Albert A. Capellini Community Center and Yorktown Stage complex dates from 1917 when the building opened as a public school.”¯The town acquired the brick structure, in the heart of the Yorktown Heights business district, from the Yorktown Central School District in 1979.

Yorktown Stage took over operations of the theater”¯25”¯years ago ”“ producing musicals, plays, dance recitals and concerts. The theater also operates a nonprofit organization called Yorktown Stage Kids, whose mission is to promote live theater to children.

“This theater is a gem which the town has significantly polished,” said Supervisor Tom Diana. “The town board understands the importance of having a facility like this in our community for our families to enjoy live performances closer to home.”

”¯Yorktown Stage”™s makeover was partly funded by a $100,000 state grant for new seating through the efforts of State Sen. Peter Harckham. The town board voted in May to provide $1.1 million for the lion”™s share of the project.

”¯Upcoming performances include Chris Ruggiero on March 31 and Disney”™s “High School Musical” April 22 through 29. Purchase tickets at Yorktown Stage”™s”¯website.