A Historic Theater Reopens After a Year of Challenges
In February 2024, the historic Warwick Theatre in Midtown faced a series of devastating events. A fire damaged the building, and shortly after, it was broken into multiple times by thieves. Despite these setbacks, the theater has undergone significant repairs and is now open for business once again.
The damage caused by the fire was estimated at $1.6 million, with an additional $1 million in insurance money to help restore the venue. Karen Paisley, the producing artistic director for the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, described the situation as an uphill battle. “You start at the bottom of the hill and go, okay, is that even possible?” she said. However, after a year and a half of hard work, the Warwick Theatre has proven that it is possible to overcome such challenges.
Paisley reflected on the difficult days the team faced. “There were hard days, very hard days, but there was never a day when it would be worth it to give up because there are too many people believing in you,” she explained. She emphasized the importance of community support, noting that people believed in the theater and counted on it. “If people believe in you and are counting on you, you can’t quit. You have to show up. And that’s what we did.”
The back of the building suffered extensive damage from the fire on February 7, 2024. In addition to the fire, the theater was robbed eight times, resulting in the loss of the entire sound system, tools, props, and other essential items used for performances. Despite this, Paisley and her team were able to preserve many unique and antique items with the help of volunteers.
Paisley and other staff members are excited to welcome audiences back to the Warwick Theatre. “We are rejoicing. That’s where we are after all of the ugly and all of the crispy and dark and really, really kind of very hard times. It’s really amazing to be sitting here in a theatre where people are coming to see a show,” she said.
Support from the Kansas City community and beyond played a crucial role in the restoration process. “A group of people joined me and other staff here every day to do everything that we could do,” Paisley explained. “So anything that we could do was the low-hanging fruit. We did it. So demo, things that could be taken out of here, determining what could be saved.” She also expressed deep gratitude to everyone who contributed, including those who sent gifts from across the country and their hometown.
The Warwick Theatre first opened in 1914 and survived another fire in 1927. Preserving the historic building was a top priority for the team. The upcoming season kicks off in just over a month with the play “Mother’s Daughter.” Following that, four more plays will be staged, including “Shawshank Redemption.” “We did the North American premiere of the play ‘Shawshank Redemption,’ blessed by Stephen King, and we’re going to bring it back, and it’ll be on stage this spring,” Paisley said.
Padgett Productions is currently performing “Evil Dead the Musical” at the Warwick Theatre for the next two weekends. Tickets for the new season are available online, with the first performance set for September 17. The theater continues to serve as a vital cultural hub for the community, offering a space for creativity, storytelling, and connection.
