Wires jut from the ceiling; red concrete walls are half-painted, and while Lunchbox Theatre isn’t so majestic yet, it will be in 40 days.
A little over two years ago, the Theatre left its home of 30 years at Bow Valley Square and renovations are humming along at their new site, a former car dealership, at the base of the Calgary Tower.
A goal of completing the 150-seat project got a boost from the province yesterday with a $500,000 commitment from Culture and Community Spirit Minister Lindsay Blackett.
“Anybody who wants to be defined as a first-class province or city, has to have a thriving arts scene,” Blackett said. “We’re not a cultural wasteland anymore, we’ve got a lot going for us and I dare say, if you put everything we have in totality in the province compared to Toronto, we’d kick their butt.”
The funding announcement also kicked off Lunchbox’s drive to collect another $500,000 in 50 days from private donors, said its artistic director, Martin Fishman.
“The final push is really on,” he said.
Lunchbox Theatre begins performances on Sept. 17, with Stagefright. Call 403-265-4292 for more information.
