By James Lomuscio
The race is on to save the White Barn Theatre.
Actress, producer and theater impresario Lucille Lortel founded the White Barn Theatre in 1947. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Preservationists and theater lovers are set to converge at Norwalk City Hall on Wednesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. to plead with the Norwalk Historic Commission to save the iconic theater from the wrecking ball.
The experimental theater was established in 1947 by the late, legendary actress, director and producer Lucile Lortel on her husband Waldo Mayo’s 18-acre estate straddling Norwalk and Westport.
Now, New Canaan developer Jim Fieber, who bought the property more than a decade ago, plans to build between 10 to 15 large homes on the property’s remaining 15 acres.
According to Mark Graham, the theater’s general manager in the 1970s, the old horse barn, which had previously been located where Westport’s Books Corner is before being relocated to the estate and transformed into a theater, is set to be razed.
“We have a stay of demolition until March 22,” Graham said. “If we don’t act now it’s going to be lost. It’s really a historic piece.
“This hearing is important to have people show up and show their support,” he added. “The Historic Commission can stop it.”
Waldo Mayo, Lortel’s great grandnephew, recently created the nonprofit, the Lucille Lortel and Waldo Mayo White Barn Foundation to save the structure.
Mayo said his foundation requests more time to continue discussions about “a reasonable purchase agreement for the site.”
”It is urgent that all interested parties come together at a Norwalk Historic Commission hearing at Norwalk City Hall,” Mayo said. “We must stop the developer from destroying this important part of Connecticut’s arts history.”
Mayo said he envisions the theater as “a job-creation center for culture, social justice and innovation continues.”
“I feel it is my mission to continue what my great aunt started so many years ago,” Mayo said. “The White Barn Theatre is vital for the future generations of actors, directors, and writers so they may have a safe place to do experimental works.
“We must carry on Ms. Lortel’s legacy and revive this important educational and creative arts incubator for future generations,” he added.
Diane Lauricella, a Norwalk preservationist who lives near the theater and who had initiated the original demolition delay request, stressed the urgency of the meeting at Norwalk City Hall.
“When March 23 arrives, the developer will knock down all of the buildings in order to build 15 luxury homes, and the potential for a revival of this creative arts incubator will be gone forever,” she said.
Preservationists plan a rally at 6:30 p.m. before the hearing.
In recent weeks, producers, playwrights and actors have been expressing their concern and support. of those trying to save the theater.
Recent letters of support have been received from actors who had appeared at the White Barn such as Kevin Spacey, Estelle Parsons and Tovah Feldshuh.
There WAS a group trying to PRESERVE IT and HONOR it several years ago, but the FAMILY and other’s involved chose to SELL IT to others who would not honor it. Very sad to see.
Too bad that hindsight is 20 20.
I agree with my namesake … you MUST NOT let diamonds in the rough simply get torn down and dozed away for the sake of development
Too many of these kinds of Westport gems have been lost to people who have no concept of the community and it’s history, but how can they if they have only lived here for a handful of years?
And they probably never heard of Lucille Lortel either!