The music had gone quiet and the lights were off.
Nobody involved with the production of “Holiday Magic” knew what would happen next.
Earlier this year, leaders with ON-STAGE LIVE! Entertainment, which put on the holiday musical extravaganza, faced a dilemma. The potential loss of their home loomed, forcing a whirlwind campaign to raise $100,000 for a new one.
Instead, the Greenwood-based entertainment company is staying put.
ON-STAGE LIVE! has agreed on a three-year lease with owners of the Vista Run Plaza. Money raised through donations will be used to upgrade the theater facility, improving the audience experience while allowing the group to continue to provide one-of-a-kind entertainment.
The generosity and support shown by the theater-loving community has ended a difficult year on a hopeful note.
“What touches my heart is, we raised $100,000 in six weeks — and during the holiday season. People want this to keep going,” said Chris Tompkins, executive director of ON-STAGE LIVE! Entertainment.
Since May, ON STAFE LIVE! had been partnering with the Luxe Event Center to put on unique cabaret-style musical shows. Tompkins had previously offered entertainment in the space through his previous endeavor, Stage to Screen Catered Cabaret, which was forced to close its doors during the pandemic. Luxe Event Center opened in its place.
Through the year, ON-STAGE LIVE! at the Luxe had brought in audience members from all over central Indiana to see shows dedicated to Elvis Presley, legendary female singers and Barbra Streisand. A special Halloween show, “Witches BREW,” drew sold-out crowds and rave feedback from people in attendance.
“Fifty percent of our current patrons come from Greenfield, Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers and Plainfield. That speaks volumes to the fact that people love our shows. They’re not traditional book shows; it’s something really different and family-friendly,” Tompkins said. “There’s a definite desire to have entertainment options that aren’t downtown (Indianapolis).”
But in early November, Tompkins and the ON STAFE LIVE! board were informed that they would no longer have access to the Luxe space following its Christmas show, “Holiday Magic,” on Dec. 16. The organization’s leaders faced two options —try to open their own venue in the Greenwood area, or permanently close down.
They attempted to try and find an appropriate space, and focused on an available area located at the Greenwood Park Mall. To secure it, they needed to raise $100,000 prepay the first six months lease and utility costs, as well as provide the necessary funding to do the primary renovations necessary to open.
The ordeal was a blow to Tompkins, who had gone through a similar struggle with Stage to Screen. At the same time, he was still grieving the death of his mother, Connie Owens, in mid-October.
But when news of their fundraising drive spread through the community, people showed what live theater means to them. About one week in, they had already raised $46,000. By the end of November, they had brought in $83,900.
It appeared they were on their way to securing a new theater space at the mall. ON-STAGE LIVE! had been approved for the new location, but the lease was delayed by a legal issue which was being worked through.
Tompkins and the board were approached in early December by owners of Vista Run Plaza to discuss remaining in the space. The two sides talked about the shortcomings, opportunities and positive attributes — including its proximity to I-65 and ample parking.
“The owner said they wanted to take the center in a new direction, to become a destination at the gateway of coming into Greenwood, and they thought we were the ones to do it,” Tompkins said.
The team from ON-STAGE LIVE! had a list of non-negotiable requests, including renovations to the space. Those discussions led to an agreement between the two sides, and Tompkins announced the new three-year lease term with first option to renew.
“I think my mom had everything to do with this,” Tompkins said.
As of Jan. 1, the space became ON-STAGE LIVE! CABARET. Between now and a planned opening in mid-March, workers will be revitalizing and renovating nearly all aspects of the theater. Restrooms will be redone, the interior theater will have new seating and lighting, and a new stage floor will improve the performance space.
A marquee with the theater’s new name will be installed. The lobby will have new lighting, flooring, furnishings and decor to fit the vision for ON-STAGE LIVE!
“When we’re finished, it’s going to look like an entirely different venue,” Tompkins said. “The lobby is going to be like walking into an old-world Vegas lounge.”
Using the $100,000 raised by supporters, ON-STAGE LIVE! leaders can pay for all of the improvements, the $20,000 security deposit and pre-paying three months of the lease and utilities.
”We had sent out a notice to everyone who had contributed, and told them we’re not going to move, this is what we’re going to do by staying in the space. So if they wanted a refund, we said we’d offer them a refund on their donation,” Tompkins said. “Not one person asked for a refund, and I’m stunned by how many people are thrilled we’re staying in this location.”
