Locally Grown History Sprouts In Waterbury, Torrington
10/07/2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2008
CONTACT: Sheree Marcucci
Work:(203) 755-8483 X 133
Mobile: (203)206-8286
marcucci@palacetheaterct.org
LOCALLY GROWN HISTORY SPROUTS IN WATERBURY, TORRINGTON
Historic Palace Theater and Warner Theatre Open Doors For Statewide Event
WATERBURY – Two of Connecticut’s most distinctive, culturally and historically rich performing arts venues, Waterbury’s Palace Theater and Torrington’s Warner Theater, will open their doors for an afternoon of historic and educational tours as part of the statewide Locally Grown History culminating event on October 18. The tours are free and open to the public.
Geared to highlight Connecticut’s historical resources in an engaging and relevant way, Locally Grown History is an event featuring the region’s historical treasures and area agricultural assets. The event’s purpose is to focus on making connections among historic communities, cultural institutions, and history enthusiasts, while placing individual sites in a wider historical and regional context (“stories, not sites”). As participating stops on the program’s Locally Grown History Hunt Map, the Palace and Warner are offering complimentary tours and activities to celebrate the program’s finale.
The Palace Theater, originally built in the 1920’s by period architect Thomas Lamb and recorded in the National Register of Historic Places was the center of Waterbury’s active cultural scene prior to WWII. Designed in what is described as a Renaissance Revival style, the majestic theater features an eclectic mix of Greek, Roman, Arabic and Feral motifs. On October 18, from 11:00am – 2:00pm, patrons are invited to tour the grand lobby spaces, marbleized staircases, and ornate gold-leafed dome ceilings of the theater, which was once considered the premier performance venue in the Northeast. After a $30 million restoration and expansion by the State of Connecticut, the Palace was transformed into a 90,000 square foot arena, featuring a state-of-the –art theatrical facility. Positioned as Greater Waterbury’s Center for the Performing Arts, the Palace showcases a performance schedule boasting National Touring Broadway productions, educational programs, and more.
The Warner Theatre, built by Warner Brothers Studios and also designed by legendary architect Thomas Lamb, opened in 1931 as a test site for the legendary studio’s new films. An Art Deco masterpiece, the Warner Theatre was the biggest land deal in Torrington at the time of its construction. Designed in Style Moderne, the theater features a stunning star-shaped chandelier that dominates the main auditorium and an exterior stepped tower facade patterned after the skyscrapers of New York. Damaged extensively in the 1955 flood, the Warner was slated for demolition, until it was purchased by the Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts in the 80s. Restoration of the historic lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002 and the Theatre was placed on the National Register of historic Places. In 2008, the multi-million dollar Carole & Ray Neag Performing Arts Center was opened in the former Mertz Department Store building adjacent to the theatre. The center houses the 200-seat state-of-the-art Nancy Marine Studio Theatre, facilities for the Warner’s on-site school for the Arts, the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education and a 250-seat restaurant and micro-brewery, The Cambridge House Brew Pub. The complex also includes an 8,000 sq. ft. costume and theatrical properties shop. Today, the Warner is Litchfield County’s largest performing arts center and is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and more than 92,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. The Warner will be offering free tours to the public of their entire facilities from 11am -2pm. Those interested in taking a tour should meet in the Warner Theatre Box Office.
Locally Grown History is organized by historical societies and museums throughout Northwest Connecticut, UCONN Torrington campus staff and faculty, the NW CT Arts Council, and the NW CT Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, visit locallygrownhistory.uconn.edu.
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About the Palace Theater
The Palace's primary purpose is to revitalize the Greater Waterbury community through the presentation of the performing arts and educational initiatives in collaboration with area cultural and educational institutions. Its mission is to build a strong sense of community and an appreciation for the arts by operating, maintaining and sustaining itself as a financially viable not-for-profit performing arts center that generates a positive artistic, educational, social and financial impact on the Greater Waterbury area. For more information, visit: www.palacetheaterct.org.
The Palace Theater gratefully acknowledges support by: Bank of America, City of Waterbury, Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, Naugatuck Savings Bank, Republican-American, Saint Mary's Hospital, ShopRite, Waterbury Hospital, Webster Bank, and WTNH/WCTX.