Ridgefield Playhouse Gets A Facelift in August

After a little more than 10 years of movies, comedy, theater and hundreds of musical acts, The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts will undergo some much needed renovations. With more than 110 shows presented each year, the seats and floors are showing wear and tear. New seats, carpeting and audio equipment will be installed in order to enhance the experience when patrons attend a live show, a movie, a comedy or dance act, an opera from The Met Live in HD or other events from the world of performing arts. While the renovations take place from August 8 - 26, no live events will occur inside the theater, but the box office will be open and the outdoor Shakespeare on the Green & Green Expo community event will take place again this year in the field next to The Playhouse on Saturday, August 20.

When the renovations are completed and The Playhouse reopens on August 27 with Kenny Wayne Shepherd in concert, patrons will experience larger seats with cup holders, fresh carpeting and an upgraded audio system which will create unobstructed sight lines to the stage. The new audio system is made possible in part thanks to a matching grant received from the Connecticut Historic Restoration Fund from the Commission on Culture & Tourism, Historic Preservation & Museum Division, as well as from private funds.

The seat upgrade is made possible in part by a grant from the Anne S. Richardson fund. In addition to larger, cushier seats, new aisle lighting will illuminate access to seating, and the aisle lettering will be much improved. The front row of the mezzanine will provide more leg room. The new seating configuration and audio system will actually increase audience capacity in both the orchestra and balcony sections. New carpeting will be installed throughout the theater and lobby, and patrons can expect to see major changes at the concessions counter as well.

It was a decade ago that The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts first opened its doors after years of planning, fundraising and restoring the Cass Gilbert, Jr.-designed 500-seat theater in Ridgefield. "We are grateful to the many sponsors, contributors and patrons who have supported The Playhouse these past 10 years. The renovation is an exciting next step to ensure that people who attend our events are comfortable and have the best possible entertainment experience," explained Allison Stockel, Executive Director of The Ridgefield Playhouse. "The new seats and audio system will be just in time for the fall/winter season of top-notch performances including Greg Allman, Charlie Daniels Band, Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac, Marc Broussard, Paula Poundstone, brand new operas Live in HD from The Met and an assortment of favorite holiday events."

The renovation offers a unique way to pay tribute to or memorialize someone special by purchasing a seat plaque for $500 in the name of the person or business you wish to honor. Patrons who purchase new seat plaques can even request specific seats where the plaques will be installed. The plaques mounted on the current seats will be transferred to a commemorative display case inside the theater. For more information, call The Playhouse at 203-438-5495.

The Ridgefield Playhouse is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit performing arts center whose mission is to serve the Ridgefield community and neighboring environs by fostering an appreciation for the arts through enrichment and entertainment programs including movies, musical performances, theater and other performing art forms at a price and with a content accessible to a broad cross-section of the public. For more information about The Ridgefield Playhouse, call the box office at 203-438-5795 or go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

 

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