The Bijou Theatre on Fairfield Avenue downtown is the berries. The renovation of one of the oldest movie houses in the country celebrated the first anniversary of its opening Monday night. Phil Kuchma, developer extraordinaire of Bijou Square got it started, pumping new life into an old building but a vision was required to manage the city entertainment jewel. Christine Donahue Brown and partner Kathy Reynolds stepped up to add their finances and love to building a destination point. Concerts, comedy, theater, film and speaking engagements have filled this sweet venue. You need to check out this place. OIB shares below a Q&A by Evan Neidich, artist and writer, from www.thebijoutheatre.com
Christine Brown and Kathy Reynolds say thank you to folks attending anniversary night. Photo by Karissa Van Tassel.
The Bijou Theatre, as we now know and love it, has been open for one year. It has been a year full of independent films, dance, opera, live music, theater, and events of all sorts. Though the theater has been around for over one hundred years, this iteration has framed The Bijou as a player in creating community and bringing high art into Downtown Bridgeport.
What is so special about the community in Downtown Bridgeport is that we are a cast of strange and wonderful characters. This is a place where your face doesn’t get lost in the crowd. In Bijou Square you matter and you can really make a difference. Though the Bijou hosts big acts, it often feels like a small town community (basically we’re Cheers down here).
Instead of waxing philosophical about the meaning of art in community building as I am wont to do, I’ve decided to celebrate Bijou’s one-year anniversary by having a chat with a few of my favorite characters. Amanda Bowman is the Bijou Theatre’s marketing director. She is a hip, young movie buff with a wicked sense of humor. Marcella Kovac is the owner at The Bananaland, she is a brilliant artist and graphic designer, responsible for the Bijou website, brochures, E-blasts and more. Marcella is representative of the new community of artists that is infusing Bridgeport with new life. Christine Donahue Brown and her partner Kathy Reynolds are the reason why the Bijou Theatre feels like a family. They have taken an old theatre and, with significant effort and intelligence, helped it realize its massive potential. These are all people I am happy to know–and I hope you will come down to meet them and other Downtown Bridgeport characters!
The Bijou circa 100 years ago.
Q: What are some of your favorite events during Bijou “year one?”
AMANDA: Live Comedy is my favorite. Improv, LEM Presents, America’s first “plomedy” Sit Down, Shut Up, and Eat, Brad Zimmerman’s Jewish Tragedy.
MARCELLA: Manhattan Short Film Festival, Lisa Lampanelli, and Yellow Dubmarine stick out the most for me at first thought. I love shorts and the fact everyone from around the world can vote for their favorites, such a cool concept. Also, Lisa had us in hysterics! Yellow Dubmarine rocked all my favorite Beatles tunes with a reggae twist, and we danced all night! Although, I have to say, any given night there is something to enjoy. A visit to the theatre is becoming a staple to our girls’ nights out!
CHRISTINE: One of my favorite events is the Bijou Blender–the collegiate acapella competition. I also went crazy for Javier Colon and Taylor Hicks–huge talent, and the sweetest guys!!!
Q: What are you looking forward to most in the coming year?
AMANDA: Bedlam at the Bijou! Because the only thing I love more than watching a horror classic, is watching a horror classic with a bunch of freaks. We love you film nerds!
MARCELLA: Bedlam at Bijou! Really puts me in the mood for the fall and Halloween. Can’t wait to see all the costumed zombies and walking dead. Also who doesn’t love Godzilla?
CHRISTINE: I am really looking forward to our spoken word series, which we hope will serve to motivate and inspire our guests.
The current Bijou interior.
Q: What does the Bijou mean to you? Why is it important to you to be a part of it?
AMANDA: I am continually inspired, intrigued and challenged by the Bijou family and the talent that comes through. But you don’t have to work here to know what I mean, just walk through the doors any day of the week.
MARCELLA: It is one of my most treasured spots. It is where I see all my favorite indie films, get my culture fix without having to travel to NYC, share good times with friends, memories with family, work with some of my favorite people… the list goes on. I hope my part allows other people to develop similar feelings about this special place.
CHRISTINE: The Bijou is our second home. We love welcoming old and new friends. We feel so privileged to play a part in creating a vibrant, interesting, and high quality energy in our downtown.
Q: What does Bijou mean to Bridgeport?
AMANDA: Bijou means “gem” in French. But this is America. The theatre is a historically important landmark poised for Bridgeport’s Renaissance. The Bijou is family run and dedicated to bringing quality entertainment to a city brimming with potential. Maybe I watch too many movies, but if this isn’t a beautiful underdog story, then I watch too many movies.
MARCELLA: A wonderful piece of nostalgia. An entertainment venue that is unlike any other. One of the keys to unlocking our city’s amazing potential.
CHRISTINE: The Bijou has played host to many of the organizations and businesses in Bridgeport allowing them to host wonderful meetings and parties and great shows. The theatre is a place for them to be proud to bring their guests.
Q: What does Bijou mean to the wider community of Southern Connecticut?
AMANDA: Look out world (and Fairfield county)! We look forward to building a neighborhood together bursting with art, culture and pride.
MARCELLA: It is starting to paint a more positive picture of downtown Bridgeport to neighboring communities. I think as more time goes by, it will be one of the major factors in a complete revitalization. A luxurious way to watch a film.
CHRISTINE: To the community at large The Bijou Theatre is just one more reason to come downtown to see great quality entertainment, and contribute to the arts industry and surrounding businesses.
Come down soon and become a part of the Downtown Bridgeport Renaissance!
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4 comments
Thank you Mr. Kuchma for giving us a Jewel in this city of need.
I have attended the Bijou for a variety of events, local and national musicians, movies, comedy, acapella singers, and more. We keep an eye out for upcoming events and look forward to attending opera presentations (with commentary) and spoken word programs in the next year.
The site is friendly, the seating options are welcome for conversations in small groups, and the space itself can accommodate a variety of presentations for different audiences.
I hope the dynamic duo keep up their energy and ideas. They are one very distinct reason for folks to visit downtown many nights of the week, and those people look to eat and drink before and/or after a show. Time will tell.
*** They should have had something for Hispanic Heritage Month to go along with their anniversary celebration as well as some type of back to school programs for high school or college level students. Also Halloween, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Xmas, etc. holidays are upcoming and acts, movies or programs should be put in the mix to get more than just the usual customers in to check out the Bijou! Time to draw from the city’s large ethnic heritage mix with varieties of entertainment for all! Irish night, Italian Tuesdays, Black Fridays, Rainbow Mondays, etc.! Get creative without getting too carried away or ghetto, no? *** B/Rs have 31 flavors, why not Bijou? ***
Thank you Mr. Kuchma for giving us a Jewel in this city of need.
I have attended the Bijou for a variety of events, local and national musicians, movies, comedy, acapella singers, and more. We keep an eye out for upcoming events and look forward to attending opera presentations (with commentary) and spoken word programs in the next year.
The site is friendly, the seating options are welcome for conversations in small groups, and the space itself can accommodate a variety of presentations for different audiences.
I hope the dynamic duo keep up their energy and ideas. They are one very distinct reason for folks to visit downtown many nights of the week, and those people look to eat and drink before and/or after a show. Time will tell.
*** They should have had something for Hispanic Heritage Month to go along with their anniversary celebration as well as some type of back to school programs for high school or college level students. Also Halloween, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Xmas, etc. holidays are upcoming and acts, movies or programs should be put in the mix to get more than just the usual customers in to check out the Bijou! Time to draw from the city’s large ethnic heritage mix with varieties of entertainment for all! Irish night, Italian Tuesdays, Black Fridays, Rainbow Mondays, etc.! Get creative without getting too carried away or ghetto, no? *** B/Rs have 31 flavors, why not Bijou? ***
Mojo–give Christine a call or stop by. She is open to any and all ideas and she would appreciate yours–they are good!