Remember laughter?

Hilarities owner Nick Kostis does, and he’s thinking ahead to its return

entertainment@news-herald.com Emotions are, naturally, running high during this stay-at-home spring, with many folks just wanting to laugh. Sadly, we can’t even do that, at least not yet — at least not in terms of going to a packed club to see a stand-up performance. However, Nick Kostis, owner of Hilarities comedy club and Pickwick & Frolic in Cleveland, is eyeing a summer reopening for the popular East Fourth Street venue. Throughout its 35-year history, it has been a major supplier of laughs in Northeast Ohio. “At this point, we’re going to slow-walk this and take more measured steps,” said Kostis, a New York City native who came to the Buckeye State for college in the 1960s. “We’re planning to open the end of June or early July. Now, the one stinker in the woodpile is we don’t have a date for opening the showroom. Gathering spaces are still in question.” In some respects, Pickwick & Frolic and Hilarities have a few things going for them in the socialdistancing world. The 27,000-squarefoot facility provides ample space to accommodate the 6-feet social-distancing edict with Pickwick & Frolic’s wrap-around footprint, while Hilarities’ spacious 400-seat 4th Street Theatre boasts a balcony.

In addition to an HVAC system designed years ago to constantly bring in fresh air — Kostis said the idea was to get rid of cigarette smoke — the facility has purchased deep sanitization equipment to keep the venue clean. “Absolutely, we do have an advantage, which we pay for in rent,” Kostis said. “We have space to spread out. The thing is you’re still limited to 6-foot distancing. The attendance projection at this point is hard to tell. Without downtown shows and ball games, the eventdriven nature of downtown business is going to be at best 20 percent of our former operation.” “You can’t live on 20 percent. We’re burning through cash, but we see the end in sight, which is good and promising. We also know the level of business will depend on how comfortable, trusting and confident people are to come out. That’s our job to exceed those standards that are designed to ensure safety and comfort.” Regarding the cash comment, Kostis said the one silver lining regarding the pandemic coming now is the business had been saving for major capital improvements. Instead of renovating the venue, the money is now being used to keep it solvent. As for booking comedy, the plan is to open the main showroom Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays before eventually adding Sundays. “I’m hoping after so many years people trust who we are and there might be some goodwill we can kind of capitalize on,” Kostis said. “We will bring in quality shows, but they may not be the names that you heard before. These will be comedians who haven’t quite broken through to national notoriety yet. “This industry has always been based on somebody coming through on their way up. We’ve had so many who have come our way and then exploded into the national consciousness and awareness.” Speaking of which and lost in the spring closure with COVID-19 is the fact this month was supposed to be Hilarities’ 35th anniversary celebration. “We had a big thing going on with a huge lineup, which all went away,” Kostis said. “When we come back, we’re going to reschedule and plan a big celebration, which is now a dual celebration — a coming-back party and our 35th anniversary. We’re not going away.” For more information, visit pickwickandfrolic.com.

SUBMITTED Nick Kostis is the owner of Hilarities comedy club and Pickwick & Frolic in Cleveland.

SUBMITTED You can expect the big room at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre in Cleveland to be less crowded when it reopens.