The Glenmore Playhouse

In mid– 2011, the Glenmore Playhouse was still known as the Glenmore Bowl, a local landmark that was known to generations of Cincinnatians on the West side for almost 85 years. When the previous owners decided it was time to call it a day, it was thought by many that this historic structure would go the way of so many others, i.e. succumbing to the fate of the wrecking ball, or simply by dying a slow and painful death from neglect. However, in the fall of 2011, The Drama Workshop (TDW), a local theatre group, purchased the building to make themselves a permanent home. Having produced community theatre in this part of Cincinnati since 1954, and having squeezed in performances at the nearby Westwood Town Hall Recreation Center for years, TDW jumped at the chance to have a place to call their own.
I had seen several productions put on by The Drama Workshop while they were at the Westwood Town Hall Recreation Center, and made it a point to come out for their first production at the new location. It was Snoopy! The Musical, in October of 2012. At that time, the Glenmore Playhouse was still pretty rough as a theatre. Plywood filled in the gaps where the alley gutters and ball returns used to be. Temperature control was minimal (it was a warm October that year), and the «bowling alley acoustics» left many in the audience leaning forward and cocking their heads to hear the actors. Seating was of the old metal fold out chair variety sitting level on the floor. While there were sidewalls and a lobby, you could easily see it’s bowling alley past. There was a lot of work to be done.
Since then, that is in less than 2 years, the transformation here has been amazing. The temperature control problem is now gone, thanks to a new HVAC system. Acoustic panels and a few other additions have greatly improved the sound quality of both the actors and the effects. There is a professional lighting grid, beautiful new carpeting, and everything has been painted. The lobby has been redone. But the most dramatic improvement to the theatre has been the addition of padded theatre seats, complete with armrests, that are affixed to sets of movable risers, stadium style. A great improvement which I believe came from a local university that was replacing their seats, and the change here has been dramatic. For the patrons: they are comfortable, they are inviting, and due to the tiered rows, they improve the sight line to the stage immeasurably. Additionally, and a benefit for both the patrons and the theatre, is that the riser sets break apart and can be arranged to fit the set design needs. Some productions use a straight row style like you see at a movie theater, with everyone facing forward towards the elevated stage. Some are in-​the-​round style, with the set being in the middle at floor level, and the seats being arranged in groups on three sides of the set. Great flexibility for the production team, and great variety for the audience. Although they are limited to about 99 seats, due to minimum exit requirements, the building has room for a lot more, when the time comes.
There is still work to be done, mainly reminders that the building was built in a far different era. Entering the men’s restroom is like squeezing college kids into a phone booth. The odd, wedged shape room doesn’t lend itself to accommodating the «accommodations» very well. There are plans to move these at some point, however, which will be a welcomed change. The steps into the building are not ADA friendly, but I understand a ramp is pretty much next on the list of things to do.
Probably the most impressive thing of all is that this is done mainly by volunteers and by a few paid craftsmen. Local contractors have donated, or else provided at significantly reduced rates, the time and some of the materials to help get this place done. Volunteers are the main source of labor. A hardcore group of weekend help has made this what it is. Ah, local theatre and community involvement at its best.
I am just a patron, but I go to a lot of theatre, so I reasonably well know of what I speak. I attended 88 theatre productions last year alone throughout the local Cincinnati area. I can’t think of a harder working or more dedicated group of people than those who have banded together to save this beautiful old building, and turn it into this local gem. I highly recommend coming out to see what they have done here, and to watch some of the most enjoyable, affordable theatre that one could hope to see anywhere. I have also reviewed The Drama Workshop on Unilocal!,so take a peek at that if you would like a little more insight into the productions and into TDW themselves.

First show in the new theater for TDW is happening now, 2 shows left to see this weekend! The old Glenmore Bowl is being transformed into the Glenmore Playhouse. The building was originally built to be a movie house (if bowlng alley was not successful), so it is perfectly constructed for good sound and lighting for performances. Check it out, local theater is an affordable good time!