By ANNETTE ESTERHELD Staff Writer

On its heels, opening one week later, Prince George's Little Theatre will present "Steel Magnolias," also a three-week run.

Then it's clear the stage and get set for one of those perennial favorite musicals when 2nd Star Productions opens with a five-week run of "My Fair Lady."

That's the way it works all year long at Bowie Playhouse nestled in the woods at Whitemarsh Park these days, but come June 30 the playhouse goes dark. If all the funding and permitting lines up, Bowie Playhouse will have its own run - "The Renovation of Bowie Playhouse," one that will probably last 120 days.

The City Council helped set the stage for the much-needed renovation at its meeting last Monday night when it approved the hiring of a third-party inspector, Independent Consultants & Engineers. According to Matt Reno, the city's facility/project manager, Prince George's County requires that a third-party inspector be hired to provide inspection services in conjunction with the work in order for the city to get the construction permits.

"We need to see what we're dealing with," he said. He said the playhouse was built in the early 1970s, and that, if there are other issues with the renovations, the city needs to find those out now to make sure the renovation work passes the county inspection process.

Reno said the work will include adding an ADA-compliant unisex rest room to the lobby, expanding the existing lobby to a 400-square-foot space, and other renovations, including incorporating energy-saving features.

"My Fair Lady" closes June 28 and we're looking to begin construction the following Monday, June 30," he said.

Renovating the playhouse has been on the city's playbill for several years now, but work has been delayed in part because the city has not had all the necessary county permits to proceed. Funds have been in the city's annual budget more than once, but were not included in the current FY08 budget. To be ready to begin construction June 30, Reno said City Manager David Deutsch will ask the City Council for the funds for the contractor and construction phase.

"We will seek a supplemental appropriation in this fiscal year instead of guessing at a number for FY09," said Deutsch. He estimates the project might cost as much as $400,000 or $500,000.

"One of the challenges for the city has been to minimize the impact on the theatre groups," said Reno. Typically, he said the theatre is dark from July 1 until early fall when productions start up again.

"The three theatre groups know we're moving ahead. We met with them a month ago," he said. "We brought them in and showed them the plans and talked about the impact on them."

Reno said he suggested the groups could use the City Hall multipurpose room for staging their first productions of the fall season.

"They would of course have to do a smaller show, but all three said the space would be suitable," he said. "They all understand the renovations need to be done."

"It is a step in the right direction with some of the renovations and hopefully over time more will take place," Janice Coffey, president of BCT said. "BCT is very grateful to Matt Reno and City Hall for letting us use the space for our first production and thus enabling our season subscribers to enjoy a full season of quality productions."