Family & Friends - The cast hopes to rescue the Cassidy.

The scarcity of funds in the region nibbles away at the strength of our arts community, even at the non-professional level. Despite the cigarette tax, some organizations may slip through the cracks. This is the last week that the Cassidy Theater will be a line item in the city of Parma Heights' budget.

If the theater can make it on its own, as trustees and staff hope, this loss of funds may not be a bad thing, especially in artistic terms. But as any nonprofit manager knows, that's a big if.

The community theater formerly known as Greenbriar was launched 33 years ago by then-Mayor Paul W. Cassidy in facilities owned by the city and operated under its recreation department. It was funded by voter-approved bond issue as part of a complex that included other, more typical public recreation facilities. Greenbriar became known for what might be called "safe" theater, even on occasion sanitizing scripts to put the city-funded operation above moral reproach. It was re-named Paul W. Cassidy Theater upon the mayor's retirement in 1998.

For decades, managing director Christine Hnat says, the company produced seven shows each year, plus two youth shows and special events. Hnat says it's hard to figure out exactly what the total budget for operations would have been because they were housed in a city-owned building, and the city paid for heating, electric and phone bills, and some staff, including her position, a box office person, technical director, two technical assistants and part-time box office help. The cost of artistic staff - $150,000 to $175,000 in recent years - was covered by ticket sales.

But this year, like many other mayors, Parma Heights Mayor Martin Zanotti found himself staring down a significant budget deficit. In Parma Heights' case, it was a $1.2 million shortfall on a $14.8 million budget. By eliminating the theater, Zanotti says, the city saved $350,000. The final production under city sponsorship was Enchanted April, Matthew Barber's tale of four English women who discover love during a month's holiday in Italy. The show closed last weekend.

Many nonprofit arts groups are getting support from the cigarette tax via Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, but municipal programs - as the Cassidy was during the application period - are not eligible for CAC's general operating support.

"I believe we were sold a bit of a bill of goods on that arts levy," Zanotti says. "We were never told that cities would not be reimbursed. I know when we supported the levy, we had every expectation that the Cassidy would get about $150,000 in subsidy. And then we found out they weren't providing operating money to cities."

But Erin Cameron, who manages Cleveland Heights' municipally owned Cain Park, exhibited no such confusion, and the Ohio Revised Code is clear on the subject of municipal operations. The Cassidy is eligible for CAC's project support funding, and according to CAC director Cathy Boyle, has applied for the maximum $50,000. They'll get their answer May 13.

Hnat saw the budget crisis coming and began to plan for it, incorporating the theater Dec. 1, 2007. With papers filed and a board of trustees in place, the company is currently awaiting official 501c(3) tax-exempt status. Hnat is hoping the transition will be seamless, and that in time the program can grow, including the reintroduction of the company's "Down Under" cabaret program. The city has guaranteed rent-free use of the building through the end of this year. Hnat is working with a development director to solicit grant funding.

Meanwhile, a group of Cassidy veterans is putting together a benefit show to help launch the company on its new course. Musical director Charles Eversole is working with Cathie Brenkus, Cindy Smith, Bruce Holloway and John Nolan in a musical revue called Family & Friends, which the group first produced at Berea Summer Theater. It will have two performances on May 9 and 10.

The company has to survive for two and a half more years before Cuyahoga Arts and Culture's next round of general operating support grants comes along. Without city support, that will mean proving its relevance to the ticket-buying audience and proving its organizational savvy to foundations. Those are big hurdles. But freedom from municipal oversight could enable the company to take greater artistic risks.

If the company can make it to next year, it'll have to start paying rent to Parma Heights. Zanotti says he doesn't know yet how much that will be.

"We're giving them half a year to see if they can make it work," Zanotti says. "I think the fact that the nonprofit group has stepped up has offered people hope that it will have a long-term future."

Family & Friends: Cassidy Theater, 6200 Pearl Rd., Parma Heights. For tickets call 440.842.4600.