The Show Goes On for Ocean City Repertory Theater

An overwhelming show of community support and a unanimous vote from the city's Zoning Board saved the on Wednesday night.

Planners, neighbors, business owners, thespians, musicians and even a seven-year-old spoke in favor of Ocean City's downtown theater as it sought a zoning variance that would let it continue to operate at the heart of Ocean City's commercial district on Asbury Avenue.

"I love the theater," 7-year-old Mia Terrazzini said, "because the plays are so fun."

From theater participants such as Terrazzini to the owners of neighboring businesses, 16 members of the public spoke of the vital role the theater plays in the community. Nobody spoke in opposition.

In Ocean City's "Central Business District," a theater is not a permitted use under current zoning code. And while a temporary mercantile license allowed the theater to open and provide a full schedule of performances since May 2010, the "OC Rep" needed variances to avoid being shut down.

The Zoning Board voted 8-0 to grant variances for non-conforming use and lack of off-street parking.

The OC Rep seats about 35 and is part of the tradition of "black box theaters" — small venues where little space separates the audience and the acting. In Ocean City's case, the theater is literally a black box, a former storefront (recently Bagels by the Beach, then Fudd Lacrosse) painted black to create little visual distraction from the performances of the day.

Performances include local talent and range from children's productions to local teen bands to adult performances with small casts. October's lineup includes readings of Edgar Allan Poe and "Something Wicked Comes This Way."

Flossi Micciolo founded the theater in 2001, and for eight years it traveled around town to various temporary venues before landing on Asbury Avenue in a permanent location. Ocean City attorney Jon Batastini represented the theater pro bono at Wednesday's hearing.

"The theater is a great addition to the downtown," said Julie Gunn, who owns across the street from the theater.

Gunn said the theater is "money in my pocket" as parents drop off their children for rehearsals or performances and shop in the neighborhood. She also said theatergoers are a source of customers.

Roslyn Lifshin, co-owner of , told the Zoning Board that she attended a branding seminar sponsored by the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce earlier on Wednesday. The message: Many downtowns are using the arts to revitalize.

"The theater complements the city's image, which is 'America's Greatest Family Resort,' " Lifshin said.

"I think we have to help each other make it," said Yiannis Siganos, owner of , a few doors down from the theater.

Mark Shuster, a theater devotee and vice chair of the Ocean City Planning Board, said "there's no other location suitable." He said the downtown spot provides accessibility, availability and a "symbiotic relationship" with neighboring commercial properties.

Marcia Shallcross, executive director of Main Street Ocean City, said her organization supports the O.C. Rep, and she told the board that Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer also had penned a letter of support.

Joseph Libby said he was representing in support of the theater.

A succession of young O.C. Rep actors and performers told the Zoning Board of the positive influence the theater has had on their own lives and on the youth community.

But despite the breadth of support and absence of opposition, the packed meeting room seemed a little uncertain as board members started asking questions about the variance application.

When Vice Chair James Houck said he's "moved around a bit" and never seen a downtown without a theater, the gallery started clapping, confident at last of what would follow: eight straight votes of "yes."