On Aug. 31, 2012, the 85th anniversary of the building’s original 1927 opening, the new Norwood Theatre hopes to make history with a new grand opening.
On Thursday, Oct. 13, the first public tour of the theater was offered to local politicians. Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, state Rep. John Rogers, and Norwood Town Manager John Carroll were among the 25 guests who took a tour of the theater, which is still under construction.
Lt. Gov. Murray had a special role during the visit, presenting Susan Lewis, the owner of Norwood Theatre, with signed legislation that would permit the sale of alcoholic beverages on the premises. Once this legislation exchange had occurred, the tour commenced, leaving attendees impressed not only by the physical progress but also the potential transformation it holds for Norwood.
Murray articulated his excitement, stating, “It’s awesome. You can tell what it is going to mean, this historic renovation. They’re hoping to have events and activities 365 days, and that’s going to add to the businesses and clearly to the historic nature of the downtown here.” He marveled at the structure, noting, “They don’t make buildings like this anymore. A facility like this is magnificent.”
Rogers shared Murray’s enthusiasm, describing the building as “overwhelming.” He emphasized the town’s eagerness to see the old theater rejuvenated, saying, “It will take us through a renaissance of sorts down here in the center of Norwood, the crown jewel of the commonwealth.”
Despite the ongoing construction, certain areas, such as the auditorium, ceiling, orchestra pit, and dressing rooms, were already taking shape. An important aspect of the new theater is its compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a source of pride for Susan Lewis and the project’s team. Unlike the original structure, the new theater would offer full accessibility to the stage, downstairs restrooms, and the balcony.
Lewis expressed her excitement, saying, “I think it’s exciting the building will be accessible to everyone, from the balcony to the restrooms in the basement to the dressing rooms – we’re ADA approved everywhere.”
Project manager E. J. Lanni, from Tribeca Builders, acknowledged the challenges of making the aging building ADA compliant but stated that they had succeeded through determined effort and the installation of an elevator. He said, “Installing ADA access to a building this old is quite difficult.”
Preserving the historical integrity of the building was a top priority for Lewis and the project team. Lewis emphasized their commitment to retaining as many elements of the original 1927 design as possible, stating, “It was important to keep all of the architectural detail intact. Any of the architectural aspects from 1927 in the original design we’re trying very hard to keep.”
Lanni added, “We’re trying to maintain all the historical accents of the building.” In addition to preserving old traditions, they were introducing new features, such as full handicapped accessibility, a spacious orchestra pit, a larger stage, and seating for 733 individuals.
“We increased the size of the stage approximately 15 to 20 feet,” Lanni explained, highlighting the added flexibility this change would bring when booking shows.
The tour left Lewis delighted, and she expressed her excitement about introducing a vibrant new theater to the town. She was touched by the support and interest from the press, local politicians, and the public, emphasizing, “I’ve been excited to show the inside of the building to the press, the local politicians and such.”
source: .wickedlocal.com, rewritten by George Curtis
Brad Cole, wicked local
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)