By Joan Greene

Although Bev Weston of Adams Township has never performed at the Kean Theatre, she feels like she’s on center stage when she attends a performance there. “There’s not a bad seat in the theatre,” Weston said. “It’s as if you’re right there on stage.”

Located at The Washington Place on St. Barnabas Health System’s Gibsonia campus, the Kean Theatre has less than 350 seats, affording the audience an intimate view of the performance. The theatre has been nicknamed the Baby Heinz Hall because of its elegance and excellent acoustics, according to Kathleen Brenneman, spokesperson for St. Barnabas Health System. 

The theatre’s central location in the North Hills and the diversity of entertaining, “family-friendly” programs, has made Weston an avid fan of the Kean Theatre from the time it opened its doors in 2002. “It offers affordable, quality entertainment without having to drive a long distance and pay for parking,” Weston said. “Plus, it has something for everyone. My late father, who was in his early 80s, always enjoyed the performances we took him to.”

Kean Theatre managing director Tom Madden, a veteran of the Pittsburgh theatrical scene, stages an array of entertainment venues throughout the year. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund. In 2005, proceeds from the Kean Theatre and other St. Barnabas Charities fund-raising events provided more than $6.29 million of free care to patients in the St. Barnabas Health System.

Performances range from oldies concerts and cabaret productions to big band concerts and musicals. Shirley Jones, Lou Christie and Jack Jones are some of the nationally known acts that have perform at the Kean Theatre. “It’s very eclectic,” Madden said. “Our audience base is very wide; we try to appeal to all ages. Ninety percent of our audience lives in the North Hills community,” he said.

One of Weston’s favorite performances was the Tamburitzans of Duquesne University. “I enjoyed the intimacy of a small theatre. We were close to the action and the performance was very upbeat and high-energy,” Weston said. “You left with a smile on your face.”

Kean Dinner Theatre

The Kean Dinner Theatre, introduced during the 2004 season, has already proven to be “very popular,” Madden said.  Weston already has tickets for the May 12th production of “Catch Me if You Can.”

“You don’t see Dinner Theatre like this in the suburbs,” Madden said.  “It’s more like downtown; very unique and elegant.”

Dinner is served in a separate dining room, Madden explained, and guests then move on to the Kean Theatre to enjoy the play.

The Dinner Theatre is featured at the Kean Theatre every few months on Friday and Saturday, with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the show at 8 p.m. Tickets for an evening of entertainment that includes dinner and show are $37; the show only is $19.

The first show of the 2006 Dinner Theatre season, “Don’t Dress for Dinner” was sold out months in advance, Madden said. Tickets for the May 12th and 13th performances of “Catch Me if You Can” are selling fast. Upcoming shows include the Pittsburgh premiere of “The Graduate” Sept. 29th & 30th, and Neil Simon’s “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” Nov. 17th & 18th.

The Kean Theatre affords an opportunity to “enjoy a night out close to home, knowing that your dollars are going to a good cause,” Madden said. “It’s a win/win situation.”

Since its founding in 1900, St. Barnabas has maintained its mission of never turning away a patient because of inability to pay. The Kean Theatre has built upon this foundation with proceeds from ticket sales going to the Free Care Fund.

St. Barnabas Health System

St. Barnabas Health System serves approximately 900 inpatients and residents, plus 40,000 outpatients and home care clients.  The system offers a complete continuum of care, ranging from independent living for retirees to skilled nursing.

Brenneman noted that the Valencia campus of the health system is undergoing a bevy of changes this year. The first floor of Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas is being converted into assisted living called The Arbors at St. Barnabas. The conversion will provide an additional 22 private and semi-private efficiency apartments. In addition, 12 garden apartments have been added on the lower level and 13 penthouse apartments have opened on the third floor. All told, The Arbors will be home to up to 182 assisted living residents. The Valencia campus will continue to provide skilled nursing care to 47 patients.

The first phase of the Woodlands, a growing neighborhood of patio homes, was completed last year with 62 homes. Twenty-six homes are now under construction with the first slated to open in May. An Olympic size swimming pool can be used for aqua therapy or recreation.

The changes at St. Barnabas’ Valencia campus are in response to growing community needs.

“Today’s retirees are demanding upscale homes without the burden of home maintenance,” said William V. Day, president of St. Barnabas Health System. “And they want to be part of our system, which will provide them with great recreational activities – including the Kean Theatre—now and quality health care if they should ever need it.”

For more information about St. Barnabas Health System, call (724) 443-0700 or visit our website www.stbarnabashealthsystem.com.

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Kean Idol Showcases Local Talent

An array of singers and dancers took center stage March 5, 12, 19 & 25 at the Kean Theatre in Gibsonia to showcase their talent and help raise money for the St. Barnabas Health System’s Free Care Fund.

This year’s annual Kean Idol competition netted more than $18,000 to help defer the health care cost of patients at St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and the Arbors at St. Barnabas.

Elena Falgione, 11, of Shaler, hit a high note in her young singing career, capturing the title of Kean Idol, while Kathryn Knapp, 12, of Pine Township, walked away with the title for the dance competition. Click here for more about Elena and Kathryn.

Sarah Marince of Moon Township, was first-runner up in the singing competition and Rachel Miller of Oakdale, was second. Miller also received the Greg Maggio Award, named in honor of the late Greg Maggio, an avid supporter of St. Barnabas Charities. Natalie Schaefer of Gibsonia and Samantha Lerda of Wexford were the other top five finalists.

In addition to a trophy, the grand prize in the singing competition included six hours of studio time with Audible Images Recording Studios. Bob Logue, former KDKA radio personality, served as emcee of the event.

Lindsay McGivern of Hampton was awarded first runner-up in the dance competition and Christopher Marince of Moon Township was second runner-up. The other top six finalists were Sodda Pop Kid of Arnold, Christine Marty of Sarver, and Alex Toy of Freeport.

Grand prizes in the dance competition included a portrait session with noted photographer David Guthrie.

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