â??Applauseâ?? for new home

You'll have to excuse Wally Kulick as he hops joyously from one topic to another.

Certainly, he's excited about "Hyronomous A. Frog," the family-friendly show he's directing this weekend for Applause Theatre, with "an amazing cast" at Good Shepherd Church in Scranton.

But he's even more excited about the new pad – we mean venue – Applause Theatre will have for future plays.

"It's absolutely beautiful," Kulick said of the Pittston Downtown Arts Center, soon to open in the building that, until its last Mass in 2008, housed St. Casimir's Church.

"Everything from the bathrooms to the sidewalks will be art," Kulick predicted.

The former church, located on Church Street in Pittston, is somewhat torn apart at the moment as it undergoes renovations, owner Gina Malsky said.

When it opens, the new center will be similar to Malsky's Downtown Arts Center on North Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre, which is soon to celebrate its fifth anniversary.

Hoping to capitalize on "a lot of great energy in Pittston," Malsky expects to host a grand opening of Pittston Downtown Arts in the fall, perhaps in mid-October.

Then in November, Kulick and Applause Theatre plan to present "The Wizard of Oz." there. "We're going to have the largest community stage," he said.

The arts venue will be "a positive place to entertain youth and teens as well as adults. We want what is best for our community," Kulick said, adding that families eventually will be able to download free tickets for children from applausetheatre.webs.com.

Auditions for "The Wizard of Oz" are set for Aug. 27-28 and Sept. 4-5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the former Seton Catholic High School, 37 William St., Pittston. Roles are available for ages 8 to adult.

But first, audiences can have the fun of rooting for Hyronomous A. Frog this weekend as he tries to change back into a prince. For that he needs to inspire a maidenly kiss, and it appears that the spoiled-brat Princess Gladiola isn't about to show him any love.

Hmm. There's always her serving girl, Delphinium. She might be a good friend to a frog.

"But he can't ask (for a kiss)," Kulick said. "It has to be given out of kindness."