Arctic eyes leading role

WELL PLAYED: Formerly operating as Daydream Theater in Providence, Arctic Playhouse's owners decided it was time for a change, eventually settling on its current West Warwick location. Above, James Belanger, part owner of the playhouse, sits at a makeup table at the theater. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
WELL PLAYED: Formerly operating as Daydream Theater in Providence, Arctic Playhouse's owners decided it was time for a change, eventually settling on its current West Warwick location. Above, James Belanger, part owner of the playhouse, sits at a makeup table at the theater. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

From a Unitarian Universalist church to a former dog-grooming studio, Arctic Playhouse has emerged with a dream to become West Warwick’s center for the arts.

The playhouse began as Daydream Theater, operating in the Bell Street Chapel in Providence. The symbiotic relationship worked well for more than a decade, as the theater would donate all its proceeds to the chapel for its ministries and food pantry. The chapel, in turn, provided space and support.

But about a year ago the 13-year-old theater group’s producers decided it was time for a change and started looking for new space.

“We wanted to expand,” said Lloyd Felix, theater group producer.

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Guided by the vision of Felix and co-producers Lenny Schwartz, Jim Belanger and David Vieira, the former dog-grooming studio at 117 Washington St., in West Warwick, was transformed into the nonprofit Arctic Playhouse.

The playhouse opened in January with the same show it put on at its closing in Providence, “The Man Who Saw Snoopy.” The inaugural show, Felix says, attracted nearly 1,000 people over three weekends.

The playhouse has since hosted a handful of productions, including “Co-Creator,” about Bill Finger, who Felix said is the “uncredited co-creator of Batman.”

Beyond the shows, Felix says the playhouse has already been approached by local organizations and artists looking for a place to showcase their own talents, which is exactly what the producers hoped would happen.

“We’re very excited about it because our vision for the playhouse isn’t just to house” the theater group, Felix said. “The town has been great to us and the townspeople have been very supportive.”

Last month, the playhouse hosted a mentalist, a jazz band and a West Warwick student art show, Felix said. The theater has also already partnered with some local merchants, including Centreville Bank, John Clark Insurance Inc. and Cardi’s Furniture Inc. Such sponsorships allow the playhouse to keep its ticket price at $10 apiece, he says.

“We’re a nonprofit, so no one gets compensated and we’re all volunteers,” Felix said. “There’s a lot of theater around, but we’re trying to keep it affordable.”

The playhouse is scheduled to host a show running three weekends in October called “Social Avenger,” about “an ordinary citizen who takes bullying into his own hands,” Felix said.

All-in-all, Felix said, the transition to West Warwick has been “pretty smooth. We’re getting good traffic in the area and we’ve had some sold-out performances, so we’re very excited.” •

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