Latin space funk singer-songwriter Sol Katana was born and raised in the Pocono Mountains. He says the Sherman Theater in downtown Stroudsburg has always been known as a leading music venue.

You might remember Sol from a past episode of Pocono Mountains Magazine, performing on this very stage for Pocono Showcase.

“The Sherman Theater is, I would say, that level you get to where everything starts making sense for your music career locally in the Poconos. It's that premiere showcase stage you can get to, that lets you be who you are,” Sol Katana explained.

During a recent press conference carried live on PTN, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) announced it has assumed management of the historic theater. The strategic move ensures live concerts and community events will continue going - and growing - with additional resources.

Chris Barrett, president and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, will also oversee the Sherman.

“Our objective is to ensure the building thrives and survives, and has a place within the community for the arts and the overall Pocono Mountains. Not only regionally, but nationally,” said Chris Barrett, general manager, Sherman Theater.

The change in leadership is also part of the efforts to strengthen downtown Stroudsburg as a thriving arts and cultural destination, with the Sherman at the heart, which small business owners, like Lisa Diemer appreciate.

“The Sherman Theater has always been an important part of Main Street. Now, the sky is the limit! It’s so important for people who attend shows at the Sherman Theater to wander up the streets. We have a beautiful downtown,” said Lisa Diemer, owner of Main Street Makery.

Rich Berkowitz led the theater for the last 20-plus years, and made it a true performing arts center. When he took over in 2005, Rich says his family saved the historic building from becoming a housing development project.

He booked big shows over the years like Kesha, Slash, and Moe, just to name a few, while also giving lesser-known performers on their way up and local productions a stage to call home.

“I came from a community theater background when I was younger and had a passion for this theater, and for what I thought it could do for the community. It's nice to see it did all those things, and I’m hopeful that will continue,” Rich Berkowtiz, former president and CEO, said.

Harry Scheurman, who had experience running local theaters, founded the Sherman Theater in 1929. The theater cost $250,000 to build, had grand features, and became Monroe County's largest theater. The venue hosted vaudeville acts, sound and first-run films from top studios, live performances, and more.

After Harry and his son, Fred, died, the Sherman changed hands several times over the decades. It survived two fires, economic downturns like The Great Depression and World War Two, competition from the new-aged Stroud Mall Cinemas, and financial challenges coupled with aging infrastructure.

When Rich Berkowitz got involved, he rebuilt and revived the theater, which was dormant and in disarray.

He added, “it’s a great place to see a show. Not too big, not too small. Even when it's a packed house you can see the artist amazingly. The furthest seat is like 100 feet from the stage.”

Though the theater's owners and offerings changed overtime, newspaper quotes from those owners show the mission has always been the same:

"We want to present clean, wholesome entertainment, suitable for the entire family."
- Harry Schuerman, 1929 (The Morning Press)

"We hope to set an example of how theater can participate in the community life of a small city."
- St. Cloud Amusement Company, 1948 (The Daily Record)

"I want it to be a showcase for Stroudsburg... we're in it for the development of the arts on Main Street... we can use the theater as an anchor."
- Richard Buchalski, 1988/1991 (The Pocono Record)

All feelings Chris Barrett resonates with.

He added, “when I saw that one of the direct quotes was, “use the Sherman Theater as an anchor," that was in my notes. So, obviously the vision has been here overtime. And we're getting to a point now where there is some stability. Can we take that vision to the next step? That will be, hopefully, what you see over the next two years.”

Acts of all shapes and sizes will continue playing on, and the stage will serve as a platform for local non-profits and musicians.

That is music to Sol Katana's ears. “It keeps the hope alive because as a performer, what you strive for is bigger stages. And this is one of the biggest stages that you can get on in the Poconos. So as long as that is successful, there are bigger dreams to have, to attain, and goals to be met,” he added.

Ensuring a nearly 100-year-old legacy continues for a hundred more.