Post by Shaun on Feb 21, 2006 13:20:52 GMT -5
OLD SAYBROOK - Plans are being finalized to begin the restoration of the soon to be named Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Theatre.
"We're maybe a couple of weeks behind in our going out to bid for the construction," said committee member Roland Laine. "We're being a little more aggressive with our plans than we originally were."
It was announced this week that ABC anchorwoman Cynthia McFadden and legendary stage and screen actress Lauren Bacall will co-chair a capital fund-raising campaign for the renovation of the 95-year old building.
Both women were long time friends of Hepburn, who passed away in June 2003. McFadden has been with ABC news since 1994 and last year was named co-anchor of "Nightline." She is co-executor of Hepburn's estate. Bacall has starred in dozens of films and stage productions. Her first notable film was "To Have and Have Not" opposite her husband, the late Humphrey Bogart.
Other prominent names on the committee include Anthony Harvey, who directed Hepburn in "The Lion in Winter" in 1968, local author and columnist Dominick Dunne, CBS News correspondent Morley Safer, and U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd. Also on the committee is Hepburn's niece, Katharine Houghton, whose film debut was as young Joanna Drayton opposite Sidney Poitier in the 1967 film "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," the last film in which Hepburn and Spencer Tracy starred together. In addition, Judy Samuelson, editor of "Playbill," Broadway's theater publication, is on the committee. Representing the committee on the West Coast will be Katharine Kramer, daughter of the late film director Stanley Kramer. Ms. Kramer is the namesake and godchild of Ms. Hepburn.
These celebrities will join area residents as the community embarks on a million-dollar campaign to refurnish the interior of the building with state-of-the- art lighting and sound systems, stage equipment and furnishings. One of the first fund-raising events being planned is an appearance by A. Scott Berg, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Charles Lindbergh, whose most recent book, "Kate Remembered," was published just after Hepburn's death. The town has already appropriated $2.6 million for renovation and construction of the building's exterior and new construction.
The building was constructed in 1911 and was originally the Old Saybrook Musical and Dramatic Club. It provided community social events such as showing silent movies and live theater productions by the Anhalt Saybrook New York Players. Most recently, it housed the Old Saybrook administrative offices, but these have now moved to a renovated school building next door. Although Katharine Hepburn never performed in the building, she was a friend and resident of the town.
Completion date for the project is May 2007, the year Hepburn would have celebrated her 100th birthday.
Cool article, I'd love to visit this place once it's finished. Is that the same Judy that we all know and love?
"We're maybe a couple of weeks behind in our going out to bid for the construction," said committee member Roland Laine. "We're being a little more aggressive with our plans than we originally were."
It was announced this week that ABC anchorwoman Cynthia McFadden and legendary stage and screen actress Lauren Bacall will co-chair a capital fund-raising campaign for the renovation of the 95-year old building.
Both women were long time friends of Hepburn, who passed away in June 2003. McFadden has been with ABC news since 1994 and last year was named co-anchor of "Nightline." She is co-executor of Hepburn's estate. Bacall has starred in dozens of films and stage productions. Her first notable film was "To Have and Have Not" opposite her husband, the late Humphrey Bogart.
Other prominent names on the committee include Anthony Harvey, who directed Hepburn in "The Lion in Winter" in 1968, local author and columnist Dominick Dunne, CBS News correspondent Morley Safer, and U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd. Also on the committee is Hepburn's niece, Katharine Houghton, whose film debut was as young Joanna Drayton opposite Sidney Poitier in the 1967 film "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," the last film in which Hepburn and Spencer Tracy starred together. In addition, Judy Samuelson, editor of "Playbill," Broadway's theater publication, is on the committee. Representing the committee on the West Coast will be Katharine Kramer, daughter of the late film director Stanley Kramer. Ms. Kramer is the namesake and godchild of Ms. Hepburn.
These celebrities will join area residents as the community embarks on a million-dollar campaign to refurnish the interior of the building with state-of-the- art lighting and sound systems, stage equipment and furnishings. One of the first fund-raising events being planned is an appearance by A. Scott Berg, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Charles Lindbergh, whose most recent book, "Kate Remembered," was published just after Hepburn's death. The town has already appropriated $2.6 million for renovation and construction of the building's exterior and new construction.
The building was constructed in 1911 and was originally the Old Saybrook Musical and Dramatic Club. It provided community social events such as showing silent movies and live theater productions by the Anhalt Saybrook New York Players. Most recently, it housed the Old Saybrook administrative offices, but these have now moved to a renovated school building next door. Although Katharine Hepburn never performed in the building, she was a friend and resident of the town.
Completion date for the project is May 2007, the year Hepburn would have celebrated her 100th birthday.
Cool article, I'd love to visit this place once it's finished. Is that the same Judy that we all know and love?
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Just stumbled upon this interesting board.. Does anyone have any video interviews with KH?? Or maybe transcripts of them? I´ve been especially looking for the full version of the famous Cavett one forever and ever... 