Lights out at the Stage Door Theatre?

The saga of the Stage Door Theatre in Agoura Hills took an interesting twist last week with the announcement that the longtime community playhouse isn't closing after all.

Paul Schell, owner of the Blue Ultra Restaurant and Lounge on nearby Lewis Road, said he and a partner will be the building's new renters and will keep the venerable old stage alive.

"We'll keep it a theater and save it," said Schell, a successful businessman whose restaurant and club has helped revive the old Agoura commercial district south of the 101 Freeway. Everyone's anxious to see what Schell's plans are for 28311 Agoura Road, where Gale Trumbeaux and Michael Monteleone started their theater almost 30 years ago. The pair also established a children's theater across the street from the Stage Door that is still in operation today.

Sadly, Schell is being blamed for the demise of Trumbeaux and Monteleone, who were told by the landlord that they would no longer be allowed to continue as Stage Door tenants. It's obvious that the rent will be going up, but why the landlord refused to continue a relationship with the previous renters remains unclear. The two even volunteered to pay a higher monthly stipend.

Schell has said he will start a children's theater at the Stage Door location, but with a similar act across the street, what's the point? Something seems fishy.

Whatever the reasons for the changing of the guard, we're opposed to any repercussions against Schell and his team. Give the new owners the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they will breathe new life into the local theater scene. On the other hand, some members of the public are skeptical and think the site may wind up as a parking lot or some other commercial venture. They're circulating a petition and planning protests. Support for the old venue has been strong.

The previous owners had a winning formula with an intimate setting and top flight plays, but nothing lasts forever. Change can be good. Schell's theater just might be the first act of a new, long-running gig.