The Norwood Theater, a 1927 Spanish‑Romanesque vaudeville house long neglected and painted over, has been brought back to life in time for the gala opening of Fiddlehead Theatre Company’s production of Cinderella. After decades of deterioration, the building now gleams with gold‑leaf decoration, faux‑marble green walls, a rebuilt orchestra pit, new curtain rigging, and refreshed public spaces.
Artistic director and producer Margaret “Meg” Fofonoff said the restoration evokes the spirit of the theater’s earliest days. “You can hear the ghosts of the past calling out, because it began as a live theater,” she said. “It had been mistreated.” Ceilings had crumbled, and previous owners had painted the interior black.
The transformation began when Fofonoff’s father, Eugene Bell, purchased the building in 1996 to give Fiddlehead a permanent home. Renovations are expected to exceed $200,000, funded through donations and community support.
One of the most meaningful contributions is the new $3,500 stage curtain, donated by Bettina Gray of Dedham, a member of Fiddlehead’s advisory board and a cast member in Cinderella. Gray dedicated the curtain to her former roommate and lifelong friend, Princess Grace Kelly, with whom she studied at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Gray was a bridesmaid at Kelly’s wedding. “We’re teasing when we call it the Grace Kelly curtain,” she said. “I bought it in her memory… It’s the kind of thing Grace would have loved.”
Fiddlehead’s mission includes strong educational programming for children and teens. Many cast members in Cinderella come from Norwood, Dedham, and Westwood, while adult performers travel from across Greater Boston. Actor Christopher Cause, 23, who plays the Prince, said the renovated Norwood Theater adds an important new venue to the region’s non‑Equity circuit. “The theater is such a beautiful space,” he said.
The building’s recent past as a movie house will not be forgotten. A second‑floor screening room will host a film series curated by George Mansour, consultant to Kendall Square Cinema. Fiddlehead will also launch drama classes and a two‑session summer stock program for children, culminating in performances on the main stage.
Excitement filled the theater during rehearsals as the cast danced through the aisles singing “The prince is giving a ball.” Production member Stephen Lewis noted the energy: “They seem a little more excited.” With the grand opening approaching, the entire Fiddlehead community shares that anticipation.
The gala celebration on April 18 will feature champagne, hors d’oeuvres, music, and a silent auction including items signed by Larry Bird and Bill Cosby, followed by the premiere performance of Cinderella.
Source: Boston Globe, April 13, 1997
Text and images may have been edited, colorized, or digitally restored with the assistance of AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini. All content is reviewed for accuracy and historical integrity before publication by the Norwood Historical Society
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