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The Katharine Hepburn Theatrewww.wtnh.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?clipid1=1257252&at1=News&vt1=v&h1=The+Katherine+Hepburn+TheatreTranscriptThe Katharine Hepburn Theatreby News Channel 8's Ann Nyberg
Posted Feb. 22, 2007
10:12 PM
(Old Saybrook-WTNH) _ Legendary screen actress Katherine Hepburn called Connecticut home for nearly 100 years. Though the four-time Academy Award winning actress died nearly four years ago her legacy goes on. In Old Saybrook, where Hepburn called home, there will be a theater named in her honor.
"Here in Old Saybrook she really didn't want to bring attention to herself, as this was her retreat," Walter Hirsch said.
Hirsch is chairing a group of proud Old Saybrook residents charged with turning the old town hall into the Katharine Hepburn Theater. Their mission is clear -- stay motivated and focused, raise money and have fun.
"How did Kate's name get attached to this?"
"That's an interesting thing ... we just thought why not."
The town historian and secretary Elaine Staplins said the theater should be named after Hepburn. The family and executors gave their blessings and that catapulted the project into the heavens and brought out the stars.
"Spencer Tracey's daughter Susie, who goes by Susie not Susan, Mark Rydell, who directed her on "On Golden Pond," Anthony Harvey, who directed her in "Lion And Winter," Katharine Kramer, the daughter of Stanley Kramer, who directed her in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," Morley Safer, Dominic Dunne," Staplins said.
You get the picture and so does the town. This old building is taking on a life of its own.
The town hall built in 1910 was originally a hall which included a theater, but as the town grew it housed town offices. In 2004 when offices were moved into another facility the town decided to give the old town hall new life.
The building was cleared out and remarkable discoveries were made.
"They kept the balcony, they kept all the plaster, all the cornice work," Tom MacDonald from East Wharf Architects said. "When we walked up there it was amazing.
"This is where you paid for your ticket. It was just amazing, yes, that this was still here. I mean, the vaulted ceiling is still here."
The theater will be a multi-faceted jewel on the shoreline. Vice chairman Wilma Asch says there will be "music, theater, dance, films, parties, exhibits, children's theater, wedding receptions."
Hepburn called nearby Fenwick her paradise and told strangers who wanted to get close to "go away." The actress, who starred opposite such greats as Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Henry Fonda and Spencer Tracy, was respected for her feistiness.
Hepburn loved her Fenwick home. A famed New York builder and his wife now own the place. They treasure its rich history. While redone inside the exterior is preserved.
It's been raised six feet to keep it away from a stormy Long Island Sound, in which Hepburn swam every chance she got.
When the lights come up for the first time in the new 268-seat theater, it will be a proud moment for those who made it happen. What would Hepburn think? We already know.
"What's that quote that she has -- if you live long enough you're revered like an old building," Asch said.
On Wednesday, Hepburn was inducted into Connecticut's Hall of Fame as it's first recipient.
If all goes well The Katharine Hepburn Theater will open in the summer of 2008. Soon it will be listed on the state Registery of Historic Places and it's expected to make the national registry as well.
If you would like more information about the theater visit http://http://katharinehepburntheater.org.
The link to the story and video: www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?s=6129738