Glen Cove’s downtown is poised for a cultural renaissance with the opening of the North Shore Village Theatre, at 19 Glen St. The long-vacant former Charles Hardware store will soon be transformed into a 150-seat community theater under the direction of Christopher Moll, artistic director of NSVT and Jazz Hands Children’s Theatre. Construction is slated to begin early next year, with the first production, “Steel Magnolias,” set to premiere on April 4.
The theater is more than just a performance space; it is a vision realized for Moll, who founded Jazz Hands in 2015 with 12 children. Over the years, the program has grown to include more than 160 participants.
“When I started Jazz Hands, I dreamed of it having a theater to call home,” Moll said during a news conference on Tuesday. “With 10 years of unwavering support from our Jazz Hands families, the community, and the hard work of North Shore Village Theatre’s board of directors, that dream is now a reality.”
The new venue will host productions by both Jazz Hands and NSVT, as well as performances by other theater companies, educational workshops and cultural events.
“The ‘community theater’ is a very important phrase to me because it’s not just going to be us,” Moll said. “Any artist in the community who wants to use this space will be welcome.”
The project is a collaborative effort among Glen Cove city officials, business leaders and the property owner, Bruce Waller, of GW Development, who agreed to a 10-year lease after months of negotiations. City Councilwoman Danielle Fugazy Scagliola, a downtown business owner, played a key role in bringing it to fruition.
“Making great things happen takes time, but it’s worth it,” Fugazy Scagliola said. “Chris and Bruce both share a vision for a better downtown Glen Cove, and they made some significant compromises to make this a reality. I’m really excited to see a theater in our downtown. It’s a perfect business for our community.”
Ultimately, the theater aims to foster a sense of pride and connection in the community. “My hope is that one day, my kids will say, ‘I want to live here. I love it here,’” Fugazy Scagliola said in a phone call. “That’s what I want the kids here to feel — this is a great place to live and raise a family. That’s really my mission.”
Jill Nossa, executive director of the Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District, highlighted the economic and cultural impact the th eater will have on the city. “Having a venue for live theater will transform downtown,” Nossa wrote in a release. “This will be a draw for people to come downtown and patronize our restaurants and shops. You can’t buy live theater on Amazon.”
The 9,000-square-foot storefront, which housed Charles Hardware for more than 60 years, will be completely reimagined, and the renovations will be completed in phases. Plans include removing drop ceilings and wood paneling to make way for a stage, a lobby and a bar. The theater will offer ample parking, and easy access to Glen Cove’s restaurants and shops, creating what Moll describes as a “regional destination.”
“I want people to come in, have dinner, see a show, and then maybe grab a glass of wine or a beer at a local spot afterward,” Moll said. “It’s about making downtown Glen Cove more of a destination and creating an atmosphere that benefits both the theater and the businesses around it.”
The theater will be unique for the area, because the closest preforming arts center is in Port Washington. Many residents say they are thrilled about the theater’s potential.
“What Christopher does really well is invite kids to participate where their interests are,” Carolyne Dilgard-Clark, whose children have participated in Jazz Hands, said. “One of my children is more into the technical aspect of production, and Christopher always had opportunities for him to work on lighting, sound and stage management. Now, having a physical space in Glen Cove means we can celebrate our young people and give them more opportunities to explore their interests.”
The theater will also cater to underserved community members, with plans to offer free tickets to families through partnerships with local organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and the Youth Bureau.
“We live in a community that has an underserved population,” Moll said. “I want to offer free tickets to families who might not have the resources to see a show. Maybe a child will say, ‘I want to do that,’ and we can bring them into Jazz Hands with a scholarship.”
The NSVT is already generating excitement with its plans to feature diverse programming. It will host everything from local productions to performances by outside groups, Moll said, including Ballet Nepantla, a contemporary Mexican folkloric dance company, and a children’s theater group that incorporates educational workshops.
“We’re even planning to bring in a show that just closed Off-Broadway and was nominated for Drama Desk Awards,” Moll said. “This theater will be a hub for all kinds of live performances.”
The enthusiasm notwithstanding, the project still faces financial hurdles. Moll has launched a fundraising campaign to raise $500,000 for the first phase of renovations. “Even if we have just chairs, a stage and four lights, we’ll make it happen,” he said. “But we do need the help of our community.”
Donations can be made at nsvillagetheatre.com, and community support is encouraged to ensure that the theater becomes a thriving centerpiece for arts and culture in the region.
