'80's movie. Teenagers, maybe? Trapped in a theater, maybe? NYC, maybe?

[neonzombie]

Saw this one on late night TV some twenty five years or so ago. It had the feeling of a horror or slasher type film. Kinda looked like like maybe it could've been Italian with it's giallo type lighting, but that could've been just the TV back then... Basically from what I can remember there is a group of teenagers or young adults stuck in some theater or playhouse type setting with an old guy who is keeping them inside for some reason. He may have been a stagehand or janitor or who knows... Seemed like he was keeping them from going outside because he was trying to keep them safe from something. I also remember there being some connection to New York in either the outside setting (which I don't remember seeing) or some stage props which sounds more familiar. Not a whole lot to go on I know, but it was a long long time ago and on late night free TV.

Hope you can help!!! Been bugging me for years!

[Rayo Casablanca]

Sounds a lot like the stage-set giallo STAGERIGHT (1987) (aka AQUARIUS).
The stagehand is trying to keep a play's cast safe from a slasher wearing one of their costumes, an owl mask.
See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1Wxwv6mccU

[ulthar]

You know, does not sound completely like it from your description, but it has elements that bring to mind SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIME BALL BOWL-O-RAMA.  College students 'trapped' in a malll, a janitor tries to help 'em out, etc.

You'd probably remember the Imp, though.  Pretty memorable, that guy!

[neonzombie]

Boom! StageFright! That's it! Thanks!!! :) Must've been chopped to hell to air on basic TV though. Pun intended.