Stars Come Together to Save Connecticut's White Barn Theatre

The Hollywood and Broadway theater community have come together to save the late Lucille Lortel, Queen of Off-Broadway's White Barn Theater in Norwalk, Connecticut. A recent New York Times article has rallied the theatrical community to voice their concern and support for the historic theater.

Award-winning actors that once were at The White Barn Theatre, including Kevin Spacey, Kelli O'Hare, Tovah Feldshuh and Estelle Parsons, have been lending their support.

On January 15, Kevin Spacey wrote, "I want to offer my support to The White Barn theatre in its mission to once again be a home for actors, producers, directors, writers, set designers, lighting designers, make up technicians and more.... Please consider the cultural value that this theatre will provide... ."

Tovah Feldshuh writes: "The White Barn was a "Godsend" to small, daring, deserving works of theatre , both musical and non-musical. ... bringing it back to life would be an incredible asset to... the entire theatrical community."

"I am excited and inspired by the idea of the White Barn Theatre coming to life again!" said Kelli OHara, star of the Lincoln Center production of THE KING AND I.

Award winning actress Estelle Parsons forsees, "What a huge welcome the new White Barn Theatre will receive from the New York Theatre community."

Jane Bergere, producer of KINKY BOOTS recently shared her memories of the theater: "I was able to attend The White Barn Theatre and witness, first hand, the enormous impact the theater had on the audiences, actors, directors, playwrights and producers. It was not only historic, but paved the way for future generations."

For almost 50 years, playwrights such as Terence McNally, Athol Fugard, Edward Albee, Eugene Ionesco, George C. Wolfe, Samuel Beckett, Lanford Wilson, Cy Coleman and Sean O'Casey premiered works at The White Barn. Many went on to Broadway, London or regional theatre productions. Lucille Lortel had an eye for talent and she brought them all together at her 148 seat "jewel box" of a theater.

The Lucille Lortel and Waldo Mayo White Barn Foundation, Inc. lead by Waldo Mayo, Ms. Lortel's great-nephew, with the help of local Connecticut activists has joined with Broadway and Hollywood luminaries to raise money to buy the White Barn property from a local developer who is planning to build 15 homes on the 15 acres of pristine land and destroy the historic theatre entirely.

Broadway producers such as Eric Falkenstein, one of the producers of THE COLOR PURPLE, with Jane Bergere, producer of KINKY BOOTS, and many noted directors and writers are planning a major fundraising event in the near future. You can learn more about the historic theater by visiting www.whitebarntheatre.org.

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