Miron won't sign without Shakespeare
RICHARD WEIZEL

STRATFORD — It may not be the final curtain for Shakespeare at the legendary playwright's long-shuttered Stratford theater after all.
Mayor James R. Miron said Tuesday that despite a decision by the Town Council late Monday to select a Rhode Island operator who doesn't produce Bard plays to revive the theater, he's not signing any contract that doesn't include an annual summer Shakespeare festival.

Miron said he's also not signing a contract without a "specific dollar amount" the developer would invest beyond the $2.5 million the council has authorized to renovate the once elegant Elm Street showcase that closed in 1989.

The council on Monday voted 8-2 directing the mayor's office to negotiate a contract to revive the theater with William J. Hanney, owner and operator of "Theatre By The Sea" in Wakefield, Rhode Island.

The council made the decision over two other finalists despite an outcry by more than 30 speakers who urged the panel not to select Hanney.

"This is a watershed moment in Stratford, and it's not a happy one if this is the way it ends," said Arts Commissioner Ed Goodrich, among those who urged the council to select an operator who would heavily support Shakespeare.

"A lot of people are very angry," Goodrich said. "This decision was pure political amateurism."

Hanney, who has admitted to never seeing a Shakespeare play, saying he doesn't believe the plays would sell in the 21st Century, would produce musicals, modern shows and concerts.

Miron and two council members, Gavin Forrester, D-3 and Amy Wannamaker, D-6, wanted the council to hold off on a vote until after a special meeting next Monday in which BL Cos. will present its report that estimates the cost to renovate the theater at between $7 million and $19 million.
"I believe the council should have waited at least a week to make a decision on a developer, until after the BL presentation," Miron said Tuesday.

Miron said he wants to know that if costs to renovate the theater are far beyond the $2.5 million the council has allocated — which is indicated in the report — the developer will agree in a contract to invest "whatever it takes" for renovations.

"So far, Mr. Hanney has not indicated exactly how much he would be willing to invest," Miron said. Miron said he would have preferred a different developer — such as Frank Tobin Enterprises in California, which would have relied heavily on Shakespeare.

Hanney said in an interview last week he would invest about a half million dollars, but "beyond that, I don't think I can make any guarantees."

Councilman Mike Julian, R-1, whose district includes the theater, said the estimates by BL Cos. to revive the theater are far too high.

"I have read the report, and I don't think it's worth the paper it's written on," Julian said. 'They (BL) tacked on all kinds of contingency fees that render the report pretty much meaningless."

Council Chairman Michael Henrick, R-10, said the council made the right decision in selecting Hanney.

"I agree with the mayor that we have to have financial protection written into the contract, as well as a provision for some Shakespeare," Henrick said. "But we have to let the market-place dictate that by how many tickets Shakespeare will sell," Henrick said. Miron says he wants a four-month annual summer Shakespeare festival.

"We have a brand here, and that brand sells in Shakespeare festivals around the world," Miron said. "If done right, it can sell here too."

Article courtesy of the Connecticut Post

Town of Stratford