Tacoma Musical Playhouse, the nonprofit theater than owns and operates the historical Narrows Theater along Sixth Avenue, has announced plans to expand the theater.

The new theater will have significantly larger lobby, a new box office, new restrooms, a spruced up concessions area and larger cast dressing rooms.

All the work is expected to be finished by the time the theater starts its next season in the fall. The architectural firm is BCRA and the general contractor is Summit Central Construction Inc.

“TMP is offering this upgrade as a gift to our community in return for years of loyal patronage,” TMP Board President Ed McGuire says.

Patrons will be astonished as they enter the facility for the first time and notice the delightful new design enhancements reminiscent of styles of the Art Deco era, he said. Women, who for decades have waited in line for the tiny two-stalled restroom, will have the benefit of a new restroom with 11 stalls.

“This is a monumental occasion in the continuous evolution of TMP and our facility," says Jon Douglas Rake, managing artistic director.

The theater will add about 3,600 square feet of space during this first phase of work, followed by plans of two more rounds of renovations that will address some of the more technical challenges of the historic theater, particularly electrical and technology updating.

State of Washington Building for the Arts kicked in $75,000, City of Tacoma matched that amount and Pierce County footed $30,000.  Pledges donors and several fund raising events will allow the theater to complete Phase 1 without starting a full-fledged capital  campaign. â€" Steve Dunkelberger