This is part of ongoing coverage in “District 172: The Politics of Change after State Rep. John Perzel,” a collaborative effort with Philadelphia Neighborhoods funded by J-Lab.

Mayfair’s Devon Theater for the Performing Arts may be closed, but plans for its future are still alive, according to some locals who are working to reopen the theater.

The performing arts center, which replaced the original Devon Theater movie house, on Frankford Avenue and Sterling Street, was open for fewer than two years before succumbing to financial troubles in December 2010.
The newly renovated playhouse’s grand opening in March 2009 was the product of a multimillion dollar restoration, pioneered by the Mayfair Community Development Corporation,who bought the theater in 2004.

Ben Cardonick, founder of savethedevon.org, said the theater was struggling financially largely due to state budget cuts. Seth Kaplan, chief of staff for 172nd District State Rep. Kevin Boyle, said the Devon ultimately closed due to its inability to produce enough money- not because of budget cuts. continue reading »