The New Canaan Playhouse is about to get a much-needed upgrade. The Town Council approved renovations to the classic building at its meeting Wednesday night. The theater will get new seats, walkway lights and carpeting, handicap-accessible bathrooms and a new display window.
The playhouse, standing since 1920, is owned by the town but managed by Bow Tie Cinemas. The town Department of Public Works struck a deal with the company to divide the renovations. The town will pay $85,000 from its theater management fund for the new seats, bathroom and display case. Bow Tie will cover the cost of flooring and install runway lights in the theater aisles.
The town reached an agreement with Bow Tie Cinemas to bring in refurbished seats from one of the companys theaters in Hartford. First Selectman Jeb Walker said the wood-backed seats will not only be more comfortable and roomier, but will match the buildings aesthetics. Theyre perfect for New Canaan, Walker told the council.
The front of the theater will change as well. The town will take the left front window, currently boarded up and painted white, and convert it into a display case. The trim around the window will match that on the right side, currently used by Crumbs Bakery. The window will show off youth sports trophies or other awards, as well as town announcements.
The town expects to close portions of the building over a two-week period, closing one side of the theater at a time. Walker told the Council he expects the work to finish in September.
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