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Ex-Metropolis director trying to revitalize Des Plaines venue

After nearly three years at the helm of the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, Charlie Beck is trying to revitalize an old theater space in downtown Des Plaines.

Beck's Sisu Arts theater management company has signed a three-year lease for the 250-seat Leela Arts Center, a live theater venue on the second floor of the historic Des Plaines Masonic Temple building on the northwest corner of Lee and Miner streets.

Beck's starting lineup includes “ComedySportz,” an improv show Aug. 21-Sept 12; “Spoon River Anthology,” a performance of Edgar Lee Masters' collection of poems Sept. 18-Oct. 11, and “Stories of the Macabre,” a concert of readings of horror tales Oct. 16-31.

“I'm very optimistic and excited about it,” Beck said Tuesday. “There's a good vibe in Des Plaines. A lot of the people I've met have said, 'Oh, we're so glad you're coming and keeping (the theater) busy.'”

The Leela has hosted other theater groups throughout its history, including the Bog Theatre and Stage One Productions, and the Des Plaines Theatre Guild called the building home from 1963 to 1992, according to a history penned by Brian Wolf, a local preservationist.

But those performances were held sporadically, said Beck, who is scheduling shows every weekend.

“My goal is to cultivate Leela and eventually restore it. I definitely want to be there for the long term,” Beck said.

If his theater business is successful, Beck hopes to spend as many as 20 years at Leela. While the theater itself is “not in bad shape,” he said he envisions doing renovations in the coming years.

After leaving Metropolis — where he had been executive director — in May 2014, Beck started his management company to help bring small-scale theatrical productions to nonprofit groups, churches and senior centers. At the same time, he began looking for a permanent stage of his own in the Northwest suburbs with an eye toward showcasing artists performing drama, comedy and music. That could even include cabaret acts, jazz groups and folk artists, he said.

Beck believes having a diverse mix will attract theatergoers.

“The lesson learned leaving Metropolis is that the audience in the Northwest suburbs is looking for quality and professional entertainment,” Beck said.

Beck says he and Metropolis' board of directors parted ways amiably. Metropolis was in a somewhat precarious financial position, however, since four months after his departure Metropolis's interim executive director asked the village of Arlington Heights for $450,000 to keep the theater from closing.

At the Leela, Beck's for-profit management company will split box office sales with each production company that has a show there. Beck has business partners who are investing in Sisu.

Ticket prices for most performances will be less than $30, Beck says, and are available at leelaartscenter.com, or at the box office an hour before each show.

  A sign advertises the reopening of the Leela Arts Center at 620 Lee St. in Des Plaines. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Charlie Beck
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