Open House at Casino Theatre Celebrates Its Architectural and Theatrical Past

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Stanford White Casino Theatre, An Architectural Treasure

The party was on the porch of the venerable section of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, but the real story was inside the vintage Stanford White Casino Theatre. Guests stood in line to tour the “before,” 20 at a time only.

Linda Gordon, Chairman, with young friend

A fund-raising effort to restore the Theatre has been in effect for a year, and a dedicated committee, chaired by Linda Gordon, has raised $3.7 million of the projected $4.5 million required. Mark Stenning, President of The Tennis Hall of Fame, was on hand to welcome guests, and architect Martha Werenfels, AIA, gave a brief description of the renovations.

Hearing about the planned restoration

The theatre’s “boards” have been trod by major stars Lillian Gish, Dagmar, Olivia de Havilland, Oscar Wilde, Basil Rathbone, Shelley Winters, and Will Rogers. There is an aura, and there are ghosts of performances past, no question. Newport Seen shivered a bit.

Old Tub sits under the stage

The Open House highlighted naming rights, which cost from $1,000 for individual seats to $500,000 for the hall or porch. One of theatre’s 300 seats was funded at the event, and two individual $50,000 pledges secured the box office and the gallery. Other areas still available for naming are the orchestra pit, and four dressing rooms.

Dodie Kazanjian & Jan Gordon

On offer at the party was a table allowing attendees the chance to leave their thumb print on a board that will be incorporated into the renovation, for $100. Among the takers were Kay Ben Tre and Rene Cohen, ably assisted by Newport police officer Jonathan Cortes with his official fingerprinting kit. Jan Gordon and Dodie Kazanjian worked the booth.

Rene Cohen being thumbprinted by Newport Police Officer Jonathan Cortes

Noreen Stonor Drexel was there, along with former Newport Mayor David Gordon, Mary and Jack Ambrogi, Donald Christ, Kristina Bird, and the irrepressible Betty Ann Czech.