Itasca theater group seeks village money to purchase building

An Itasca-based nonprofit theater company run by the wife of the village attorney is asking for roughly $450,000 in hotel tax revenues to help purchase a permanent home in town.

At a meeting with the village board, leaders of Overshadowed Productions, including Reba Hervas, wife of village attorney Chuck Hervas, said a permanent theater would generate customers for Itasca's restaurants and hotels and enhance its aim for a walkable downtown district.

"Our plays attract people from all over and the number one question I get is 'If I'm coming to Itasca, where can I go, where can I eat,'" Reba Hervas said.

Overshadowed began in 2004, attracting about 300 people to its first season production. Now the group operates out of donated space in Itasca Baptist Church and attracts roughly 1,500 people per production, Hervas said.

To accommodate the growth, the group is looking at several sites in the village with price tags that range from $1.8 million to $2.5 million. Hervas said banks willing to finance the project want roughly a $450,000 down-payment, which is where Overshadowed's leaders hope the village can help by offering some of its hotel tax revenue.

Itasca officials are considering the measure and the board will meet Oct. 20 to continue discussions.

Village Administrator Dave Wiliams said there are still many questions that must be answered.

"We're in very preliminary discussions," Williams said. "If we're going to do this, we want to do this the right way, which means we're not going to do it quickly. There are zoning issues, parking issues, permit issues. But I don't think they are enormous stumbling blocks. The productions have been well received and if they had a permanent site, there's no reason to think it's not going to be a success. It could be spectacular for the village."

Overshadowed leaders said they anticipate the theater will eventually generate revenue for 200 days a year in a permanent site and Hervas said she envisions it as a cultural center that will not only produce plays, but welcome children's workshops and guest artists.

Because Chuck Hervas is on the board of directors for Overshadowed Productions, he did not speak at this week's meeting and said he cannot advise village officials on any legal matters pertaining to the theater.