It wasn’t exactly a ground-breaking. It was more like a concrete block-breaking.

But the point was made: the start of renovations to what’s called “the crown jewel” of the West End Theatre District, the 89-year-old Nineteenth Street Theatre.

The ceremonial kickoff of the $5.5-million “The Next Act: Setting the Stage for the Future” Capital Campaign for the start of construction closed off a portion of 19th Street, just south of Allen Street, as Civic Theatre of Allentown officials, community leaders, elected officials and well-wishers gathered on an unusually-warm, blustery late April afternoon.

“It will once again shine like a jewel in the west of Allentown,” Barry Glassman, Director, Dr. Barry Glassman Seminars, and capital campaign co-chair, said, as his voice was nearly drowned out by the roar of a passenger jet plane in takeoff pattern from Lehigh Valley International Airport.

“Obviously, sound is a problem in our theater,” Glassman quipped.

Six of the officials donned hard hats and each took a swing with a sledgehammer at the long concrete blocks, which were perched, in a bit of theatrical stage design, over other blocks to guarantee ease of breakage.

The symbolic ground-breaking was held outdoors in the bright sunshine because phase one, which was to start May 1, begins in the theater’s dark basement, which will be renovated with infrastructure, heating (including replacement of a 1927 boiler), ventilation and air-conditioning, and safety upgrades. Phase one is to conclude in December.

Phase two, which will renovate and restore the ticketing area, lobby, auditorium, wall frescoes, detailed ceiling dome, improved stage, backstage areas, and access, is to begin in January 2018.

After the December production of “A Christmas Carol,” the Nineteenth Street Theatre will close for eight to 11 months with reopening expected but not guaranteed for the 2018 “Christmas Carol” show.

“We’re going to produce live theater in another venue,” Alan Raisman, Civic Theatre marketing director told a reporter for The Press prior to the ceremony. The venue is to be determined. Films will continue to be screened in Theatre514.

Phase three will upgrade the second-floor classroom and rehearsal space. The majority of Civic Theatre administration offices have been moved to a renovated second floor above Civic’s Theatre514, a separate building across the street from the Nineteenth Street Theatre.

Civic will receive a $2-millon Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant, secured by State Sen. Patrick M. Browne (R- 16) for the renovation, if the theater raises $2.5 million. As of the April 27 ceremony, Civic has raised $1.577,730 of that goal.

“Civic has never had a capital campaign until now,” Glassman told the estimated 100 in attendance.

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski said, “The arts are essential to the life of a city. We have a lot of great things happening in the arts in the city.

“This is an 89-year-old building and it takes a lot to keep it going,” said Pawlowski.

Greg Butz, President and CEO, Alvin H. Butz, inc., and capital campaign co-hair, thanked the Century Fund and Trexler Trust for donating a combined total of $1 million to the campaign.

Also speaking was Zachary Jaindl, COO, Jaindl Enterprises-Waterfront Development, and capital campaign honorary chair and campaign co-chairs Sharon Glassman, Civic board of directors ex-officio president and teacher, and Jane Heft, Vice President, Director of Project Design and Corporate Branding, City Center Lehigh Valley, and Maria DeFebo-Edwards, Civic board of directors president.

Christine Taylor, film and television star who got her acting start at Civic Theatre, is campaign honorary celebrity chair. Celebrity committee members include Civic show veterans who’ve gone on to television and motion picture careers, including Dane DeHaan and Daniel Roebuck.

“Next Act” capital campaign contribution information: John Hedges, Civic managing director, jhedges@civictheatre.org; 610-432-8943