Cambria playhouse threatened with closure

February 20, 2010

The Pewter Plough Playhouse, currently in its 34th season, may soon be facing a final curtain, unless building owners can raise funds to install a new fire sprinkler system.

County officials and the Cambria Fire Department are requiring the community theater to begin installing new sprinklers by July 31. Playhouse spokesperson James Lee Buckley says the building will close on Feb. 28 and remain closed until the $32,000 system can be installed.

Buckley will host an Open House community meeting at the theater, 824 Main Street, on Sat. Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. to discuss possible options to keep the Pewter Plough open.

The Playhouse was founded by Buckley’s parents, Jim and Olga, in 1976.  Jim Buckley recently lost more than $1 million in the Estate Financial hard money lending scandal.

“We are a showplace of local talent and an important cultural asset,” the younger Buckley said. “We’ve got to raise the needed donations as soon as possible.”

Contributions to the Pewter Plough sprinkler campaign are welcomed. Details are available on the theater Web site.