Bedford, NY - Bedford Playhouse Nears Fundraising Goal To Begin Construction

posted by ThrHistoricalSociety on October 25, 2016 at 1:41 pm

From The Daily Voice: The folks trying to turn the Bedford Playhouse, one of northern Westchester’s oldest cultural institutions, into a nonprofit arts cinema and community center, are marking a fundraising milestone.

Thanks to several recent large donations, the campaign has now raised $4.6 million of its $5.2 million needed to begin construction. Additional fundraising will ensure the Playhouse is operational in 2017.

In the past six weeks alone, the effort has raked in $800,000. About $600,000 more is needed to begin construction.

They also announced that a series of videos, touting different aspects of the project, have been, or will be, released on the theater’s website, www.BedfordPlayhouse.org.

They hope the six short promos, which were created by Jamie Edgar of Hound Dog Media, will rally their “final stretch” effort.

Each video includes commentary by Bedford Playhouse president John Farr.

The first two videos were posted earlier this month.

In 2014, the playhouse was facing extinction after its previous tenant, Bow Tie Cinemas, decided not to renew its lease.

Now there are plans for three state-of-the-art theaters, including a flex-use space for community events such as guest speakers and concerts, and an all-day café.

A fundraiser and celebration of the movies and performing arts was held recently at the Harvey School’s Walker Center for the Arts in Katonah.

The event featured a cocktail reception and show that included performances by Westchester residents Glenn Close and Paul Shaffer, Jeffrey Tambor, Chazz Palminteri, Terre Blair (Marvin Hamlisch’s widow), Marissa McGowan and Robert Klein.

Bedford resident Chevy Chase had been scheduled to appear by had to bow out because of a professional commitment.

Story, with video: http://bedford.dailyvoice.com/lifestyle/bedford-playhouse-nears-fundraising-goal-to-begin-construction/686435/

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