Theater's Temporary Home Gives Area Boost

Ironically, the redevelopment has resulted in the condemnation of the Clark Street Playhouse, a ramshackle warehouse space in an industrial area next to Crystal City that was used by the Washington Shakespeare Company and other small theater groups. Those groups already are eyeing Arena's temporary theater space and thinking ahead two years, when Arena is expected to return to Southwest Washington.

The Arena Stage relocation project cost less than $2 million, including the costs to developer Vornado/Charles E. Smith realty, which provides the space rent-free to Arena. The theater company paid about $1 million to upgrade the space, though it is still constrained somewhat by a lack of backstage, understage and overhead "fly" space. Arena Stage pays rent on its offices and set-building and prop shops.

"Essentially, it's already paid back what has been invested," Fox said.

That assessment is shared by Arena Stage officials, who had looked at about 50 possible sites before seeing the Crystal City location, according to Stephen Richard, Arena's executive director.

"We had anticipated some audience fall-off by moving to Crystal City, but there has been none," he said. "In fact, Arena's patron database has increased . . . by more than 5,100 new households."

The plan had been for Arena to leave the upgraded theater space intact so that one or more Arlington theater companies might be able to move in. But Richard and Fox said Arena might want to maintain a presence in Crystal City when the current arrangement ends, perhaps using the space as a satellite theater or in a cooperative effort with other theater companies.

Whatever happens next, restaurateur Barrett said a healthy trend has already been established.

"When Arena Stage leaves, there's going to be a lot of people who will have come to see Crystal City," he said. "And they'll say, 'Hey, if we're thinking about going out for dinner one night, let's go to Crystal City.' "