For almost three decades, the Boulevard Theatre has called a storefront space on Bay View’s Kinnikinnick Avenue home.
In a surprise to many, they’re leaving in the midst of the neighborhood’s renaissance. In fact, the Boulevard will not have any physical space to call home. Their performances, including this weekend’s Pal Joey will go off at places such as the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.
Mark Bucher is the theatre’s founder and artistic director. He spoke with Lake Effect’s Dan Harmon and explains why the time was right to make this fundamental change.
"As with any business, trends evolve and change. And we are seeing a cultural shift, not only nationally, but also within the local neighborhood," Bucher says. "So the need for a resident or spacial theater company, that need has diminished. The need for theater and performance itself has not, however. But we want to serve other neighborhoods in new areas."