On November 1st a group of donors, patrons, sponsors, and dignitaries joined the staff and board members of the Klein Memorial Auditorium Foundation to commemorate the historic theater’s 85th anniversary as well as the completion of its first building addition. The $3.8 million project, largely funded by the state bonding commission, with some funds contributed by the City of Bridgeport, includes the installation of an elevator, a wheelchair-accessible restroom, a conference room, and three new offices. Earlier phases of the project included technical upgrades to the theater’s lighting, audio and video projection systems, new carpeting, and an exterior digital billboard to promote upcoming events.
Following a cocktail reception in the lobby the group entered the theater for a program. Opening remarks by Klein executive director Laurence Caso were followed by presentations of commendations from Senator Richard Blumenthal and State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, filling in for Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, who was unable to attend. Two community leaders, Peter Penczer and Alan Neigher, received the Jacob Klein Leader of Distinction Award for their longtime volunteerism and service through their professions. Mr. Penczer, an attorney and real estate developer, has been a local resident all his life. He graduated from West Point and Yale Law School and was chairman of the Fairfield Economic Commission. He served for 10 years on the Klein board and other non-profit organizations. Alan Neigher is a respected entertainment lawyer, representing authors and screenwriters. A graduate of Colby College and Boston College Law School, he specializes in media, entertainment, and intellectual property law. He once served as Vice-Chairman of the Connecticut Film Commission and has been on the boards of The Klein and Fairfield Museum. He and his wife Sylvia have sponsored Jazz Fridays in Fairfield since 2017. The Leader of Distinction Award has only been given four previous times since 2013.
Photo above: Senator Richard Blumenthal and State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox with Klein Executive Director Laurence Caso, Jacob Klein Award honoree Alan Neigher, and Klein board members Hyacintha Bernard and Martin Schwartz
Photo above: State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox
Photo above: Klein Executive Director Laurence Caso and Senator Richard Blumenthal
Next Mr. Caso introduced the Klein’s Director of Education, Tenisi Davis, who provided an overview of Klein Theatre Arts, a tuition-free arts education program for Bridgeport middle and high school students, now in its 13th year. The evening concluded with a 20-minute performance by Klein Theatre Arts students, which brought the audience to their feet.
Photos above: Klein Theatre Arts performing at the Klein 85 Celebration
The Klein Memorial Auditorium was a gift to the city of Bridgeport from the estates of Jacob and Ray Klein. Their desire was to build a gathering hub for the performing arts “for the benefit of the people of Bridgeport.” The first performance was on November 11, 1940, and the theater has operated continuously since then. The Klein presents all the performing arts, including music, dance, drama, comedy, and film and is home to 5 resident companies. They include the Bridgeport Film Festival, Fairfield County Children’s Choir, ConnectUS, Greater Bridgeport Symphony, and the Greater CT Youth Orchestras. Earlier this year Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts began staging musicals at The Klein. On November 13-16 they will perform “Footloose”. The theater is in use over 350 days each year and draws over 70,000 annual patrons.
In his remarks, Caso said, “Inspired by Jacob Klein’s original vision, our board and staff are dedicated to advance our mission to “enrich, educate, and entertain through arts and ideas”. To achieve our mission, we seek to know our audience, respect that audience, and participate with them so we can better serve their interests.”
For more information about upcoming shows at The Klein, please visit The Klein’s website at www.theklein.org
