Palace Theater names new leader

Brings experience in Cleveland entertainment

A new leader with experience as an entertainer will guide the Lorain Palace Theater.

The Palace board on Sept. 29 announced Chris Pataky will become the new theater production manager.

Pataky is best known as the front man for the national touring act Zoo Station. He also has long established roots in the Cleveland entertainment scene, including work with Peabody’s, Belkin Productions and the Savannah.

Pataky said he is excited about being able to oversee management and programming at what he called one of the country’s finest historical theaters.

Performers and the audiences also will enjoy the new sound and lighting improvements that were completed recently, he said.

“A historical theater, yes, but we now offer state-ofthe-art technologies to compete with venues across northeast Ohio,” Pataky said. “The renovations and investments this August will now provide our visitors and performers an experience to remember.”

He and the Palace board credited the financial support from the Nord Family Foundation, Community Foundation of Lorain County and Nordson Corp.

The Palace is poised to emerge as a regional performance venue, according to the board.

“During the past year, the board of directors has actively met with and sought the counsel of professionals in the entertainment and venue management arena,” said Jeff Neal, Palace board president. “One of the key findings was that the Palace Theater and Civic Center should primarily be utilized as a ‘live production/ performance’ venue.”

That made Pataky a good fit for the post, Neal said.

“As a veteran of the live performance business and with management and operations experience, Chris provides the Palace a well established name and reputation in the entertainment arena to oversee the vision for the Palace,” Neal said.

Palace board Treasurer Dan Matelsky agree Pataky’s experience will be a good fit with the theater.

With multiple rock concerts coming up, “it’s right in his wheelhouse,” Matelsky said.

Upcoming shows include:

• Tributes for Treatment: A Concert for Cancer Relief, with 10 from 6, a Bad Company tribute band; and Invincible, a Pat Benatar tribute band, on Oct. 8. The concert will raise money for Power for Pink and the Center for Body, Mind and Spirit of Mercy health care.

• Ohio Rock Legends on Oct. 15.

• The Resurrection of Stevie Ray Vaughn starring Billy Evanochko on Oct. 28.

• Fayrewether: The Many Faces of Paul Fayrewether on Oct. 29.

• Pop, Rock and Doo Wopp LIVE!, with Gary Puckett & The Union Gap; Charlie Thomas’ Drifters; The Classics IV; and the Original Vandellas will be Nov. 19.

For more events, check out the Palace website.