Restoring the Mellow Theater

Unlike many other historically and architecturally important buildings, Central was given a second life when Lackawanna College purchased it from the Scranton School District on February 18, 1994 for $298,000. Lackawanna College completed a major restoration of the former Central High School building in downtown Scranton in 1996, converting it into the institution's main campus.

The 102-year-old landmark structure, designed by Edward Langley for the firm of Little and O'Connor of New York City, had been substantially expanded in 1923 with a perfectly matched addition which included the current theater. The facility underwent changes while being used by the high school. When opened, the orchestra consisted of 25 rows and the balcony of 12. The seating capacity was around 1500. The original seats were replaced while Central was functioning and the capacity was just over 1200 when it closed in 1991.

When Lackawanna College acquired Central, the auditorium was in very poor condition. Working with the Scranton architectural firm of Hemmler and Camayd, Lackawanna College undertook an extensive restoration of the house to bring it back to the state of its best days. The facility now gleams and shines with extensive gold leafing offset by muted cream and rose on the walls and ceiling. The seats and curtains are of a rich deep blue. The stage has been extended. Leg room between the aisles is greatly increased. The theater's capacity was reduced to slightly over 1000 in the orchestra and balcony. It is possible to close the balcony for some productions to create an even more intimate 640-seat playhouse.

The theater was dedicated and was host to its first performance on Tuesday, March 2, 1999. The opening attraction was the chamber music ensemble, Concerto Soloists, led by the internationally renowned conductor Ignat Solzhenitsyn. The performance was presented by Scranton Community Concerts as part of its annual cultural season. The restored theater is the very place where Community Concerts offered its initial concert in October of 1928. In June 2009, Community Concerts merged with Lackawanna College to expand its programming and educational outreach.