Peekskill's Paramount Unveils Early Show Schedule

Visitors of the Paramount Center of the Arts in Peekskill can expect everything from bodybuilding to blues during the next few months. 

Kurt Heitmann, CEO of Red House Entertainment, announced the schedule for the Paramount earlier today during a special kickoff ceremony in front of the theater announcing the city’s new partnership with Heitmann’s group.

“Seven days ago, we were handed the keys to this beautiful, historic theater and here you are all here today,” Heitmann said. “We have already started programming...the Gaymoor Sisters are coming to do a benefit. We’ve got Daisy Joplin, who’s going to play tonight, is coming in to do show already.”

The Paramount has been closed since October, after the original management group failed to reach its fundraising goals. Although the building has been leased and operated by other entities, it is still owned by the city.

Red House Entertainment was one of three organizations who submitted bids to operate the theater earlier this year. The  Tarrytown Music Hall and the Paramount Phoenix Group were the other two bidders.

Earlier this month, the Common Council passed a resolution approving an agreement with Red House Entertainment.  The agreement calls for Red House to  lease the theater for 17 years, with a 10-year option and the city to receive 5 percent on the adjusted gross income of ticket sales of every show.

Red House is expected to hold 50 ticketed shows in its first year; and 100 shows in its in its second year, 75 of which will be ticketed.

Red House Entertainment is projecting gross ticket sales of $900,000 in the first year, which is from  October 2013  to October 2014, and $2.2 million in year two. Foster said the theater will be open for shows before October.

“We took this issue very seriously,” Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster said during today’s ceremony. “Volunteers worked for 30 years in bringing art and entertainment and culture to the City of Peekskill under the banner of the Paramount Center for the Arts and we know how important that is for the vitality of the downtown.”

Deborah Milone, Executive Director of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is delight to see the Paramount open once again.

“We commend both sides for reaching a speedy agreement that will benefit the city in the long run and local and regional businesses immediately upon the theater’s reopening,” Milone said. “Let’s light the marquee, fill the seats, and allow the Paramount to entertain us… once again.”

County legislators John Testa and Cathy Borgia were also present during the event.

“We all know how important the Paramount is,” Testa said. “In fact, when I was mayor of Peekskill, we were able to get a $1 million-plus to restore this building to what is today and make it the center of the downtown.”

Said Borgia: “Personally, we are so happy to see this theater become operational again because my family comes here all the time, even though we live in Ossining. It’s a wonderful cultural icon here in Peekskill.”

Here is a list of the Paramount’s initial lineup:
May 26—The Sister of Graymoor Present: The John Whelan Band at 2 p.m.
June 3—Metropolitan High School Theater Awards, Helen Hayes Youth Theater, 7 p.m.
June 9—Daisy Joplin and the Westchester Youth Symphony, 7 p.m. 
June 29—2013 National Physique Committee Hudson Valley, Championship, 11 a.m.
July 13—Kiddie Palooza featuring Louie Miranda, 11 a.m.
July 27—Jazz and  Blues Festival in association with the Peekskill BID, 3 to 10 p.m. Performances from: Murali Coryell, John Platnia’s Blue Star Band and Gary U.S. Bonds