In this era where the arts and their venues are being phased out of existence, La Mesa’s Lamplighters Community Theater plans a bold and victorious comeback, much like a local Sphinx rising from the wrecking ball’s dust. It seemed curtains back in 2006 for the 75 year-old institution when its home at the Ben Polak Fine Arts Center, was demolished to make way for the impressive new Police Department, now part of the ambitiously re-built La Mesa Civic Center compound.
In this era where the arts and their venues are being phased out of existence, La Mesa’s Lamplighters Community Theater plans a bold and victorious comeback, much like a local Sphinx rising from the wrecking ball’s dust. It seemed curtains back in 2006 for the 75 year-old institution when its home at the Ben Polak Fine Arts Center, was demolished to make way for the impressive new Police Department, now part of the ambitiously re-built La Mesa Civic Center compound.
Upon speaking with Mike Habib, of La Mesa’s Coldwell Banker, the feeling was one of conveyed triumph, echoing the community’s rooting for the theater’s debut in the Spring of 2013. Habib, who represented the Lamplighters’ interests, stated, “Members worked very hard in finding their new location. It took over one and a half years of searching before settling on the new location, which will be at 5915 Severin Dr., in the La Mesa Village Station Center. Everyone is excited about the location and it’s a great development for our community,” Habib said.
The lease was signed on Oct. 30th, 2012. With the exception of a part-timer who staffed the box office, and past directors and producers that collected a stipend, the Lamplighters’ was run primarily by volunteers with a common passion to bring the joy of live theater to this community. This tradition and love affair is about to resume. Mark Loveless has been theater president for the past two years. He explained that since the theater lost its home, members went on to stage a couple of one-act shows at the La Mesa Women’s Club. “However, we are very excited to have found a permanent location and are looking forward to host an open house in March or April, complete with music, entertainment and all are welcome.” He went on to explain, “This location is ideal in that it does not interfere with neighboring businesses that operate mostly in the daytime, freeing up parking spaces and allowing for minimum intrusion. Presently, we are still working on obtaining conditional permits with the City of La Mesa and are hoping that these can be finalized sometime in January.”
Loveless explained that the theater, with its history of staging family favorites which have included musicals, comedies and Agatha Christie mysteries, averaged five to six major shows per year, along with special events for seniors and students. It also once boasted season ticket subscribers that numbered around 1000. He said that ticket prices would continue to be modest, allowing for continued patron participation and satisfaction. “Robert Honn is the owner of the property where the new theater will be housed. He and his mother were once season ticket subscribers. Honn and board members will approach past subscribers and encourage new supporters and all theater lovers in our community to celebrate and support their eventful re-birth and come to partake in the excitement that live theater can offer the entire family,” concluded Loveless.
