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n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | A p r i l 2 0 2 1 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 25 14 Bobala Road 3rd Floor Holyoke, MA 01040 Tel: 413.536.3970 Headquarters 280 Trumbull St 24th Floor Hartford, CT 06103 Tel: 860.522.3111 One Hamden Center 2319 Whitney Ave, Suite 2A Hamden, CT 06518 Tel: 203.397.2525 Largest Connecticut-Based Accounting Firm For over 60 years, Whittlesey's team of professionals has provided superior service and value-added advice, with specialization in the following areas: Assurance Advisory Tax Technology Learn more at WAdvising.com Y E A R S and parties, "but we can do musicals, plays, comedies, cabarets, dance presentations, recitals, poetry readings, film presentations, lectures and classes," Knudsen said. Physical renovations began in 2019, head- ed by the design firms Wyeth Architects and GWG Architects. While the outside of the building will reflect the original wooden facade, the inside was gutted to create a new lobby, stage, backstage and audience section on risers. e theater will also feature a state-of-the-art HVAC system and back- of-house area for recording shows to offer live-streaming when permitted. Fundraising totaled more than $5 million — including $1.1 million in historic reha- bilitation tax credits from the state — which will take the theater through construction and the first year of operation. Community benefit But even at sell-out capacity, the gross potential for a 127-seat theater is limited so the annual operating budget will greatly depend on sponsorships and contributed income. ey are targeting a $450,000 first- year budget. "I have confidence in our development director and the numbers she's provided me with are those she believes she can deliver," said Knudsen. Development Director Gina Marcan- tonio says the pandemic has complicated fundraising. "It's going a little slower than what I would have liked," she says, adding she is "mindful of what is happening around us but will still be making the case for this fully restored, state-of-the-art theater for this region." She adds there are also "naming oppor- tunities" for donors and seasonal branding plans for sponsors. "Once we're open we're really hoping peo- ple will really see the benefit and will help with that," Marcantonio said. With the inaugural concert sold-out, Knudsen says it's a good feeling to finally bring in income through ticket sales. Programming will offer small-scale productions such as "Barefoot in the Park," "Oedipus Rex" and musicals "Just Desserts" and "e Last Five Years." ere will also be "A Christmas Carol" for a December run, concerts by Broadway performers, family shows, special events, classes and theater for people with mobile disabilities "You never know 'if you build it will they come?' But people have been calling saying they've been so careful and vaccinated and that they're excited to come and see a show," Knudsen said. "On top of that, I get notifi- cations from people buying tickets for the entire season. We have shows starting now and continuing all the way to December. We spent the last year fundraising, so now it's come-and-see-a-show time." n Legacy Theatre staff (shown right) have redeveloped a rundown Branford property at 128 Thimble Islands Road.

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