Bringing 'off-Broadway' to Homewood

Despite the number of theaters in downtown Birmingham, Edgewood resident Kyle Bass has heard from people for years that Homewood needs a stage of its own. 

Later this month, he and partners Dana Porter and Amy Johnson will give their first performance to see if Homewood is ready for an addition to its arts scene.

“Homewood is always really good about standing behind something and supporting it and getting on board. And so I think it’s a really great idea,” said Porter.

When the trio began the first steps of making Homewood Theatre happen, Bass said they realized they needed to create something unique from other theaters in the city. This led to the idea of a theater with shorter, smaller productions with a lot more variety than the standard theater “season.” Bass said if productions at Virginia Samford, Red Mountain and other theaters are the Broadway of Birmingham, then Homewood Theatre can be the off-Broadway.

“The last thing we need is a whole new theater group that’s doing the same thing as downtown. We’ve got good theaters,” Bass said. “But if we could do something complementary, you know, something that’s maybe a smaller thing that could get people interested in theater. I think there’s a whole new audience over in Homewood and anywhere Over the Mountain that maybe doesn’t get to come see stuff downtown.”

Bass, Johnson and Porter envision Homewood Theatre being the stage for single-night or single-weekend plays, improv groups, open mic or comedy nights, script or book readings and piano bar nights. For performers, Porter said it would be a good venue to try out new material and get involved in productions without the six-to eight-week rehearsal and performance commitment of a standard play.

“And that way, too, I think you can get some really talented performers involved because everyone is so busy, and if you don’t have a huge rehearsal schedule and you do small things … this way those people are having an opportunity, too,” Porter said.

The Homewood Theatre still needs to find a location once the organizers find out if the city’s audience is interested, but Bass said they want to keep tickets to $15 to make it an affordable place to attend. He said he’d also like to offer craft beers and a unique snack menu. But there are a lot of steps to take before Homewood Theatre can become a permanent fixture.

“Right now, we need everything. I mean we are on a shoestring,” Bass said.

The first step is gauging interest with a “Homewood Theatre Sneak Peek” on The Dance Foundation stage on Aug. 19 and 20. The event, which will begin at 7:30 p.m., will be a cabaret night with Bass, Johnson and Porter performing a selection of songs. A three-piece piano, drum and upright bass band will accompany them, and the show.

Bass said he hopes Homewood audience members will enjoy not only the show, but dinner beforehand at one of the restaurants within walking distance.

“I think Homewood is uniquely set up to have a whole night out,” Bass said.

Visit homewoodtheatre.com to purchase tickets.

Homewood Theatre Sneak Peek

WHEN: Aug. 19-20, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Dance Foundation, 1715 27th Court S.

COST: Tickets $15

WEB: homewoodtheatre.com