Last Updated: 8:59 a.m.
The Flagler Playhouse, for 46 years a mainstay of the performing arts in the county, lost the rustic theater it has occupied and packed with audiences since 2006 in Bunnell as a fire destroyed it Sunday night into early Monday. Flagler County Fire Chief Michael Tucker said the building was irreparable.
The old building and its white steeple, once the home of First Baptist Church until the playhouse bought it in 2006, had been a landmark in the heart of Bunnell, across the street from the old courthouse (now a private school), and an older portion of it had once been the only movie theater in town, in the 1930s.
“Forty-nine years ago, I got married the first time in the church,” Bunnell mayor Catherine Robinson, who stood in disbelief before the smoking structure around 2 this morning, said. “At 19 I got baptized, my mother and I got baptized together in the church. Both my children were baptized as teenagers in this church. When I moved back here to Bunnell, when Rick and I got married and we both moved back here, we went to that church for a while.” On Sunday, Robinson had spent part of the day at the current Bunnell Baptist Church on Commerce Parkway, for a festival.
The cause of the fire is not known at the moment, though a state fire marshal was expected at the scene overnight. By dawn this morning the 150-seat theater’s white cinder block walls still stood, as did the now-skeletal steeple, charred and gleaming against the rising sun, but the building had been ravaged from within. It’s front entrance stood gaping amid heaps of burnt wood.
Old Moody Boulevard remains closed from Cherry Street to State Street (U.S.1). It is now a no man’s land but for a few photographers and the puddles from the night’s cascades of water.
“Due to the amount of water needed to put out the fire, residents and businesses in Bunnell may experience lower than usual water pressures,” a city advisory issued this morning stated. “While the Water Treatment Plant works to replenish the water supply, Bunnell water customers are asked to try to limit water usage today.”
The last of the fire trucks left around 7 a.m. Jerry Smith, the county’s fire marshal, was getting ready to conduct a preliminary investigation inside at 8, but said the bulk of the investigation would be conducted by the state fire marshal, and that it would be days before some conclusions could be drawn. Smith had already been in the building once, and noted that the asphalt shingles beneath the metal roof had kept burning and giving firefighters trouble, causing much of the damage.
No one was hurt as firefighters from Flagler County Fire Rescue, the Palm Coast Fire Department and the Flagler Beach Fire Department surrounded the old building with ladder trucks and doused it from a battery of water canons, but only to contain the flames and keep them from spreading to the theater’s annex, lounge and offices, which appear to have been spared. That mean the theater’s documents, its costumes and its props may have been saved, as has JJ Graham’s art studio and his own large collection of art works, which he had just moved into a portion of the theater a few months ago.
Flagler County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord got to the scene during the fire to lend his division’s hand in the effort.
A devastated Jerri Berry, the Flagler Playhouse president, stood with a fellow board member across the street from the theater, watching, as flames, black smoke and torrents of water engulfed the white roof and the steeple nearing midnight. Berry had been at the theater earlier that day, as had its technical crew for a tech rehearsal, in preparation for what was to be its season opener Friday–“The Play That Goes Wrong.”
“I was here earlier in the annex, looking at furniture and things like that, I was at the football field, I was here most of the afternoon,” Berry said. “I’m just shocked.” She said the organization had recently invested in updating its air conditioning system and other improvements over the years. The theater was exploring launching a capital campaign to improve parking and to invest in a new sound system. “This comes as a complete shock.”
A passerby alerted authorities of seeing smoke rising from the back of the building just before 10 p.m. “We got on scene and the crews encountered heavy smoke conditions coming from the building,” Tucker said. “We made a quick attack from the front side of the building and from the side of the building. Once we got inside the conditions deteriorated that fast that we actually had to evacuate.” The crews were in the theater and the proscenium before they were forced out by the deteriorating conditions, for their safety, at which point they took the more defensive approach of containing the fire to keep it from spreading to the annex and other portions of the building.
“The offices are in the very back. That’s been saved,” Tucker said.
Created in 1977 as the Little Theatre of Palm Coast, the Flagler Playhouse led a nomadic existence for 30 years until the 2006 purchase of the old church in Bunnell for $865,000. At the time, Diane Ellertsen was the president, and had led the fundraising drive and the purchase.
“It was the only perf space of its kind in the county,” said John Sbordone, who led the Playhouse with Ellertsen until 2011 and directed innumerable shows there before founding City Repertory Theatre in Palm Coast that year. “The amount of time, time money and love that went into refurbishing that place, transforming it from a church into a theatrical space is incalculable. There is no other space. I rem ember when we were looking to fid a place for the Little Theater of Palm Coast before it was Flagler Playhouse, we looked high and low, over 100 spaces to house the theater, and found that gem that the Baptist church was vacating. Diane and I loved it–the pews, the nooks and crannies from the older construction, it was just a marvelous, unique space.”
The frame inside was concrete and cinder block. Everything else was wood.
“We will do anything we can to help out,” Sbordone said, including lending the City Repertory space, though it seats only 50. Before the Playhouse, the company in its nomadic days would perform on stages at schools, though mid-year, Sbordone said, those arrangements might be difficult. Another possibility: the First Methodist Church of Palm Coast on Belle Terre Parkway, which is slowly migrating to its new home at the north end of town and has long used its current location for performances.
“It’s just a blessing that nobody was hurt and nobody was on campus,” Berry said. This afternoon’s tech rehearsal had ended in mid-afternoon. The building is insured, Berry said.
“It is devastating. It is devastating,” the Playhouse president, who took over during Covid, said. “It’s really our second home. I invest more time here than I do at my full time paid job.”
For culture and the arts in Flagler County, it is yet another blow in a crushing year that has seen the disappearance of four–now five–of the county’s long-standing cultural pillars for different reasons–the Flagler County Art League, the Palm Coast Arts Foundation, Gargiulo Art Foundation, JJ Graham’s Salvo Art project, an now the Playhouse’s theater.
City Manager Alvin Jackson, who was also at the scene around 2 a.m., said he will speak with Flagler Playhouse officials. “I’m sure we we will sit down with the Playhouse and see where they want to go from here,” Jackson said. “Not sure what the state of the building is going to be, whether or not they’re going to have to demolish the site. But what I would hope is that, basically they will keep the Playhouse here in Bunnell and reconstruct or rebuild here on this site.”
Graham had moved into the back building on the second floor three months ago, with a large part of his accumulated art work. His son Gabe, 16, had been part of the tech rehearsal earlier that day. “This was going to be his first play. He was going to do the sound,” Graham said.
The Playhouse itself is not over as an organization, of course. It had net assets of $908,000, according to its 2021 tax filing, though the lion’s share of that is the building’s value. It had $127,000 in cash and investments, and had lost $25,000 in 2021, a year severely hampered by Covid, with its revenue almost halved from 2019. There’d been no season in 2020. Berry said the organization may look for alternative venues to still put on its 2023-24 season.
[This is a developing story.]
JasonB says
Absolutely tragic .. A friend and I saw the production of One Flew Over The Coocoo’s Nest back in March of this year. I really hope they can raise the funds to rebuild.
Alexander Helman says
Wow. I’m still in shock. I never had a chance to see a show here, but I heard about all the wonderful productions this place held. It’s such a shame. Hopefully, this place can build back better and the Flagler community can once more sponsor the art of theatre.
Fernando Melendez says
So very sorry to see this happen, I hope somehow it can be rebuilt. Just devastating to the community.
Donna A McGevna says
Flames . . . Burning Our Eyes with Tears of Memories that will not destroy the years of Laughter and Love that we shared in our Cherished Little Gem of Love and Light in our Community! It was a structure . . . but the people and dedication and the talent that came into this building are all alive and well and well by the Grace of God, no lives were lost including those of the heroic firefighters who saved the items of value that we can use to rebuild the future of this terrific opportunity that we all loved and cherished. Together as a community we will rise up and rebuild. With the Leadership of this Great President and Board the Community needs to now come together and generate a fund raiser to assist in this achievement.
It will take a village, but we have risen from the ashes before in obstacles that come our way and we can do it again. If it were not for obstacles we would not appreciate what we have in front of us everyday. Lets band together and be thankful for what was saved and bond together.
Strength comes in numbers. For the staff, crew, volunteers and talented performers as well as the behind the scenes talent for the images you just endured – – – we in the Community sincerely Thank You for all of the Memories.
John J Sbordone says
We are devastated by your loss. The playhouse is truly a treasure for the County and a place where we all laughed and cried and celebrated together. We should all be there to support the good people who made this cultural icon a staple of quality entertainment in the County. Our hope is that it will find an alternate space in the immediate future and that it will be up and running as quickly as possible.
Marti says
What year was this old church built?
Laureen Faulkner says
My heart hurts for the loss. FlaglerPlayhouse brought Art and Culture to our community.
Michael Cocchiola says
It’s heartbreaking. We have enjoyed performances there. The good news… it was insured and perhaps can be rebuilt.
CELIA PUGLIESE says
Very tragic for our Palm coast Flagler residents performing arts!
Sally says
Very very said. Wonder if it was arson?
Jack Neiberlein says
What a great loss for the performing arts community.
Skibum says
I am so sad to hear that this local playhouse has been destroyed. I only hope that they had sufficient insurance so they can eventually rebuild and once again provide outstanding local plays for the community. We need more arts and culture in our local communities, not less.
Bill Boots says
A city official has already deemed structure unrepairable, lets watch what/who ends up buying a prime location?
Concerned Citizen says
What a tragic shock to the art community and community in general. I wonder if it was a short in some type of wiring in the building, or, something related to hot production lighting left on, that is, if anything besides LED was in use. Either way, the Fire Marshall will make their report after they determine where the hottest part of the fire originated from. I wonder too when the last fire inspection was passed for the building. This is a real shame, what an iconic landmark and purposeful space this church has served in the community. Glad everyone is okay, and nobody hurt. I hope office records will be preserved and JJ’s art work is okay.
Tammy Sanner says
The FCSO facebook post said 1957.
Jane S. says
This is devastating news and my heart is so sad. It was always such an enjoyable experience, unique venue and the plays were wonderful! I hope this season can be completed at a new venue, as I’d been planning to see the next upcoming plays. I pray that next season they can be back on the same site after the playhouse can hopefully be rebuilt on the same site!
JimboXYZ says
“The frame inside was concrete and cinder block. Everything else was wood.”
As the core of the original building remains, they will probably build around that with perhaps a more modern look to it. Reminds me of the Notre Dame fire in Paris, France. Insurance will certainly apply towards any restoration ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_fire
JimboXYZ says
That kind of makes sense with everything else going on for new construction closer to & around I-95 on FL-100. I’m thinking there might be some historical society that forces anything that would be the core of Bunnell, FL to be period correct as new construction. At least that’s what Fernandina Beach has for anything in it’s downtown area for home restorations. While it may be a downtown prime location for Bunnell, FL, that’s relative for the poverty that is prevalent in the drug dealing location around the Edward Johnson City Park that’s almost directly behind it that is a buffer zone of sorts. FCSO isn’t far away from that, the presence there might clean that up for the next ownership. I think FCSO ended up being that close as more of a strategic move, they’re close enough to the front lines of the war on drugs there ?
Concerned Citizen says
What can we do as a community to help?
Start fundraising. People will lend a hand. We need more art and music in our lives.
feddy says
A travesty no doubt, just wondering if it was arson.
TREEMAN says
A Terrible LOST to Flagler County! As former SVFD member, I wonder if a “Back-Draft” was created, if as your report states, the FCFD entered the front door BEFORE venting the roof. Only the Report from the FL Fire Marshall will give more information about the Terrible Fire. Thank God there was NO lost of life and NO one injure
Denali says
Do not get too hopeful. Ten to twelve years ago when I took the city & county citizens courses I asked about certified fire inspectors because of the many flagrant violations I had noted in various buildings. The response was that neither department employed dedicated, certified fire inspectors. The guys riding the trucks were to perform double duty as fire-fighters and inspectors without any formal training in the latter. No insult to the guys on the trucks, but that just ain’t right. There is way more to those conversations but they are rated as four-beer discussions best held in another venue.
Concerned Citizen says
So you are accusing our Historical Society of starting a fire then?
Seen a lot of wild posts on here from you. But this is a pretty good one.
Realist says
Glad I got to see a show there. Great place. Hope they can rebuild.
The Geode says
MAN… ain’t nobody selling drugs near that park. I can tell that you don’t know shit about Bunnell. One block away, THAT is a different story. You’ve been watching too much of “The Wire”. That was the only part of the rant I could understand because it was convoluted and unstructured. Please take my advice, STOP getting your drugs from “the park”. It’s messing with your brain…
Our Disappearing History says
A Historical Society does not have any power whatsoever to suggest what type of construction can take place. However a “Historic Preservation Board” could. The only problem with that is, one does not exist anywhere in Flagler County.
Erod says
So what going to happen now ? Did the city order its demolition for the safety of the people ? Or is this going to be left standing for months because of insurance issues ? I went past it yesterday and only saw a 1 piece strip of yellow caution tape around the perimeter.
Allison says
First, they were in the middle of getting ready for a show. Second, as the president said they were in tech rehearsals. Anyone in theater knows tech can be long hours, stressful as you try to coordinate timing with your lights, effects and sound. Very likely something was left on and it burned for hours smoldering under the metal roof until it broke through enough for someone to see the smoke. With the construction materials, add to the fact you have flammable items such as wood, paint, fabric plus the building on the inside is wood, it made for a very hot fire that had grown before firefighters put the first drop of water on it. They have insurance, they recently built the addition on to the theater. I am sure they will rebuild and hopefully keep elements of the church as a nod to where they came from, but have the benefit of building something that was meant for theater with all the updates of sprinklers. Granted it may be smaller than what they had due to costs. It is a tragedy, but its not a conspiracy to push them out for land rights. Something good can come from the ashes.
Atwp says
They have insurance, good. A fund drive is fine, I will not donate anything. If I donate will they help me in the time of need, probably not. Can only imagine how life was when the church was built in 57. Jim Crowe, segregation, iron fist white rule, you get the picture, I will not donate a penny.
Career Guy says
That’s not how a backdraft works. If that were true, firefighters would have to vent every fire before opening the front door…please don’t spread this kind of misinformation
Glenn says
Most plausible comment on this tragedy. Centuries ago a lot of theaters caught on fire due to lighting with flames, etc. Globe Theatre in London where all of Shakespear’s plays were performed burned down after a cannon in the play misfired and the building went down in flames. Luckily, nobody seemed to be hurt and it was not during a performance. If they rebuild great, if not I would like to see them occupy the Methodist church that is moving, as mentioned in a another comment. I have been to this theatre at least 4-5 times per year when in season, and enjoy the plays.
Glenn says
Fresnel lighting is very hot. Spotlights are hot. It appears that the fire started up high, so it is possible after the rehearsal lights were left on. Scenery is very flammable, with muslin, paint and wood.
Bill Boots says
Concerned Citizen,
My comment in no way could be interpreted as accusing the Historical Society of starting the fire, my comment questioned how quickly a city official deemed it a total loss, that’s all.