In 1975 I was a14yr old kid looking for a place to hang out – – I found it in the Palace Theatre. I worked (volunteered) for the “Palaced Production Center” scraping paint from the floors and climbing up to the fly floor and grid to do repairs & sandbagging –
I worked for Russell Fratto and Ballet Etudes and Derek Hilton who was “Managing Director” for Russell (Derek by the way was also a former manager for the Nutmeg Theatres – which included the Norwalk Theatre, and Cinema Norwalk behind Wall Street) – – I ushered, did stage work & repair, built props, painted scenery – we even did a few magic shows in there. I loved that place! A greater playground a kid couldn’t have. Russell sadly passed away a couple of years ago, and Derek moved back to England in ‘86 – I went over to England this christmas and stayed with him remembering the “old days” – – The Palace was in our conversations every day! It’ too bad that all there is left are memories and broken promises of a “renovation” that will never happen – Too bad they’ve “gutted the life blood” I’ll miss it.
In 1975 I was a14yr old kid looking for a place to hang out – – I found it in the Palace Theatre. I worked (volunteered) for the “Palaced Production Center” scraping paint from the floors and climbing up to the fly floor and grid to do repairs & sandbagging –
I worked for Russell Fratto and Ballet Etudes and Derek Hilton who was “Managing Director” for Russell (Derek by the way was also a former manager for the Nutmeg Theatres – which included the Norwalk Theatre, and Cinema Norwalk behind Wall Street) – – I ushered, did stage work & repair, built props, painted scenery – we even did a few magic shows in there. I loved that place! A greater playground a kid couldn’t have. Russell sadly passed away a couple of years ago, and Derek moved back to England in ‘86 – I went over to England this christmas and stayed with him remembering the “old days” – – The Palace was in our conversations every day! It’ too bad that all there is left are memories and broken promises of a “renovation” that will never happen – Too bad they’ve “gutted the life blood” I’ll miss it.