Casino Theatre group hopes for revival after pandemic devastated revenues

Casino Theatre boardmembers Brady Bottegal and Anthony Ferrante show recently made tile mosiacs to Carol Kleber, a retired artist of Ligonier, during a visit last week.

The historic Casino Theatre in Vandergrift opened in 1900. Ongoing restorations and repairs are a reality for volunteers. The theater remains closed due to the pandemic.

Casino Theatre longtime volunteers and boardmembers Brady Bottegal and Anthony Ferrante in the former jail cell section of the former Vandergrift Police Department that was once located inside the Casino Theatre. Three former jail cells are used as dressing rooms during large productions.

Casino Theatre Restoration and Management President Anthony Ferrante and board member and stage lighting director Brady Bottegal are working on several projects, including a new large-scale tile mosaic installation, during the pandemic while the theater remains closed. They hope to reopen this summer.

Dozens of original marquee letters are kept in the projection room at the Casino Theatre in Vandergrift.

The original D.C. (direct current) generator used to create electricity to produce an arc to illuminate the stage and provide a spotlight during performances is on display in the projection room at the historic Casino Theatre in Vandergrift.

Casino Theatre volunteer Anthony Ferrante stands on a concealed trap door on the stage at the historic theater located in Vandergrift. Famous names that once graced the Casino Theatre stage include Mickey Rooney, The Three Stooges and President William Howard Taft.