It’s curtains for theater after only three shows

EDMONDS — In the theater world, the show must go on.

Except when the fire marshal steps in.

The new Edmonds Repertory Theatre, which launched its first production on Oct. 5, was able to perform just three shows before being shut down by the Edmonds fire marshal for performing in a place not rated for theater.

In fact, the only way the fledging theater company was allowed to do its last performance on Oct. 12 — the show was supposed to run through Oct. 27 — was by paying to have a firefighter sit through the show and cutting the sold-out house of 50 down to 33 people.

The news that Edmonds Repertory Theatre would have to shut down came as a shock to its managing director, Jeff Stilwell, who made the announcement Wednesday on the theater’s Web site.

With a hint of sadness in his voice but still trying to remain positive, Stilwell said he was at least proud to say he didn’t owe anybody money.

“To mount a show is a big thing. It takes two months of prep, and before opening you are investing a lot of money,” Stilwell said. “This was such an efficient show that while we were not paying anybody, it would have been nice to be paid something, but we’re not getting squat.

“Nevertheless we are finishing in the black, slightly, which is so much nicer than being several thousand dollars in debt.”

The ruling caught himself, artistic director David Bailey and technical director Ryan Quimby “all breathless, as if we had just been struck by a meteor.”

The plot of this story began years ago when Stilwell and others got the idea to start Edmonds Repertory Theatre to allow new playwrights a place to show off their work. The goal was to perform only new two-act plays in an intimate, theater-in-the-round setting.

After getting sponsors and more than 100 members, Edmonds Rep approached Artworks to use its space at 210 Second Ave. S. Artworks is a group that makes visual art accessible to the public.

The building it uses is owned by the city of Edmonds. It is distinct in that it has two huge bay doors. Inside, Artworks has done extensive upgrading: It added a firewall, upgraded the bathrooms and added a fire exit. Artworks also had an occupancy permit of 50 people, said Ann Wood, head of the steering committee for Artworks.

Artworks’ building seemed a good fit for Edmonds Rep. A contract was signed in August. Edmonds Rep built its own portable stage and moved it into Artworks. The theater company announced its first show would be Stilwell’s new comedy, “A Warp-ed Door,” Stilwell said.

On Oct. 10, Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson told Stilwell that he had spoken with fire officials who told him that Edmonds Rep would have to shut down.

The way Stilwell explained it, the Artworks building is rated for public assemblies, but it doesn’t have an “A1” rating, the most stringent rating, which is required for theater productions.

It was unclear how the fire department learned that Artworks didn’t have the adequate rating. Fire Marshal John Westfall did not return phone calls on Wednesday.

Artworks cannot afford to upgrade its building to accommodate Edmonds Rep, Woods said. The group has helped Stilwell by charging him half the cost of rent and paying for the firefighter who stood watch Oct. 12, she said.

“It’s unfortunate that Artworks was not a venue that lends itself to that type of use,” Wood said. “It never occurred to us that it wouldn’t fit into our occupancy requirements. We never even thought of that.”

“We want to please the city and we were trying to help Jeff find a spot,” Wood said. “We’re all disappointed, but we don’t blame the city.”

Stilwell is trying to move past his disappointment and look for a new home. His goal is to have the theater dark for just a short time and hopes to open another production by February.

Stilwell already has a beginning and a middle to his latest work, a comedy called “Do ­Buddhists Drink Beer?”

He vows that the show will indeed go on.

Reporter Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424 or goffredo@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.