Moving forward

The theater — which will accommodate 128 people — is scheduled to operate on a Wednesday-through-Sunday schedule, Knudsen said.

“We are hoping to have four different shows per season. Those four shows will be carefully chosen, of course, to whatever budget restrictions we have for the theater and what we think will be artistic, creative and uphold our mission statement,” she said.

Each show will run for three consecutive weekends, with the option to extend according to popular demand, she said.

But it is not the size or duration of the productions that has neighbors concerned. Rather it’s the potential for the business to overwhelm the developed residential neighborhood, Ailing said.

“Stony Creek is fairly overrun in the summertime due to its popularity, and this would be introducing a whole new set of variables to an already difficult situation,” he said. “There’s more cars than places to put them on most days.”

Ailing said it is vital to establish a parking plan that does not affect residents or create a potential safety hazard for theatergoers.

“The transition from being a part-time and almost occasional summer theater and bringing it back to a full-time theater is a lot to ask of the building and the neighborhood,” he said.

If the proper provisions are not put in place now, both Ailing and Kirby said it would be detrimental to the community if the property changes ownership. The new property owners would be required to abide by the same regulations issued to the Legacy Theatre.

“As a kid, I vividly remember going to puppet shows at the Puppet House and it was a grand experience for a 5- or 6-year-old at the time. It would be great to have similar experiences for the young kids and adults in Stony Creek. It just can’t be at the expense of the folks who have spent their whole lives in the houses around the theater. People have been there for an awfully long time. There needs to be some consideration given,” Ailing said.