Phoenix’s second stage gets a broader purpose in makeover

Checking out the art featured in the newly remodeled Basile Theatre are Lori Raffel, Phoenix marketing and media relations director; producing director Bryan Fonseca; and Jae Park (standing), the theater’s audience development manager.

Originally, the Phoenix Theatre’s second stage was known as “The Underground” – an apt moniker both figuratively and literally. The “black-box” space was good for smaller productions, but not exactly the most warm and inviting place around.

Today, however, the space which in recent years has been called the Frank & Katrina Basile Theatre has emerged from a renovation with a much brighter, more inviting look.

And, a new mission.

The size of the stage has been reduced, increasing seating from the cabaret-style setup of 75 to its new alignment of 110, with seating surrounding the stage on three sides. But, perhaps more importantly, the space can now be used for events from parties to private concerts.

Founder and producing director Bryan Fonseca sees the change in terms of audience development, part of a strategic plan to bring more people into the theater. “We wanted to create a space where people can have parties,” he said, including receptions that can be arranged for a group planning on then attending a Phoenix Mainstage production..

Lori Raffel, marketing and media relations director, said the renovation was timed to have the space ready for the Christmas season. “We all knew it was a great space,” she said. “We thought that what we see – we should do something so everyone else can see it.”

Raffel said the idea emerged from a recent event when a board member arranged to have a birthday party in the lower-level space, bringing people there to celebrate before attending a Phoenix show.

Fonseca tries out the theater’s smaller stage for a test audience of Park and Raffel.

The project was completed mostly with paint, although the floor also received a new treatment. “It’s so much more inviting now,” Raffel said. “It’s just getting better and better.”

The new configuration represents a change in strategy about what shows can be produced in the Basile Theatre. For the first time in years, all of the Phoenix Theatre’s plays will be produced this year on the Mainstage. But Fonseca said the strategy does not represent a cutback. He noted that last year the Phoenix presented 10 shows. This year, the total is 11. “I don’t see it as a reduction at all. The difference is what we’re choosing to produce.”

The 2009-10 strategy includes two productions ideal for redesigned Basile Theatre, starting with a four-night run of Dos Fallopia in October. In February, frequent Phoenix performer Ricardo Melendez will star in his own work, “Call Me Boricua.”

Fonseca said the redesigned space will also work for the Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, which has enough small-cast shows to make full use of the second stage.

“We think it’s a win-win” Fonseca said. “It’s a nice, warm and inviting reception area – which will help build audiences for our shows in general.”