PITTSBURG — An East Contra Costa theater company plans to “rise from the ashes” with a one-day-only benefit concert after a grass fire last month destroyed props and costumes stored in its warehouse.
The Pittsburg Theatre Company, in its “The Phoenix Project: A Benefit Concert,” will hold the concert on July 27, with the goal of raising money to help replace the over 40 years’ worth of costumes, props, set pieces, furniture and equipment destroyed in the June 9 fire, said Gwendolyn Sampson Brown, the executive manager of the theater company.
The warehouse, a 4,000-square-foot facility located off John Henry Johnson Parkway, was previously a golf course maintenance building adjacent to the course. According to Brown, it belonged to the city of Pittsburg and was “packed with antique furniture, things used for props like Remington typewriters.” The blaze left the theater company members devastated, she said.
“We built our sets there and would teach children about set building. There were also lighting, sound equipment, and memorabilia destroyed, and we can never get them back,” she added.
Although the fire destroyed most of the equipment and props, Brown said they managed to find some metal cabinets with old pictures. Unfortunately, they were all stuck together due to water and heat damage.
“We are trying to separate and salvage them,” she said.
The Phoenix Project, which the company dubbed as “rise from the ashes,” is an attempt to raise $50,000, which will help them rebuild some sets, props and paintings for future performances.
The event will showcase performers such as the cast of Chicago from the Pinole Community Players Youth, the cast of Spamalot (Ghostlight Theatre Company), the cast of Sister Act and the Pittsburg Theatre Company’s very own cast of Steel Magnolias.
Other individual performances include the Pittsburg Theatre Company Youth Workshop and Daniel Adair, Keith Adair, Jasmine Alejo, Luke Cannon, Liam Cody, Jim Coniglio, Justin Daily, Brian Doolittle, Mark Flores, Adam Green, Sean Hoffman, Phillip Leyva, Amy Mark, Shelly McDowell, Clairesse Saam, Dianna Schepers, Jennifer Stark, Anita Viramontes and Tanika Baptiste.
Brown said the community’s love following the fire has been wonderful, with donations and support coming their way.
“We have reached (almost) half of our goal. We have reached $20,000 now and hope the rest of that ($50,000) will come from the concert,” said Brown.
She also thanked California Theater for “graciously donating” their venue for the benefit concert.
A reception will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the courtyard behind the theater prior to the concert. Attendees can meet the performers, view recovered photos from the fire and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks. The first drink is included with the ticket, which costs $25 per person for the reception. The concert with VIP table seating with services is priced at $65, while general seating is $50.
The concert is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Those who wish to buy tickets or donate can visit https://pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org/the-phoenix-project/.
