The Stamford Center for the Arts, crippled by the economy last fall, is gearing up for new programs and being bolstered by an influx of TV tapings.
“We are delighted to continue to serve the arts community of the greater Stamford area,” said Michael Widland, chairman.
Widland said the center, which fell victim to the economic crisis last August, filed for Chapter 11 protection in an effort to salvage its structure, move forward and rebuild as a more financially sound facility. The center has filed documents with state Supreme Court to emerge from bankruptcy in early fall of this year.
“After a difficult period, we”™re excited and invigorated from our restructuring and enhanced programming and are confident that the changes made will only serve to better help us enrich the metro area through our presentation of the finest in arts and entertainment,” Widland said, and added that the recession has affected many local arts communities and not-for-profit arts organizations.
The first programmed performances from the theater are scheduled to be Todd Rundgren, Tony Bennett, “Menopause-The Musical” and David Copperfield.
The arts center also began hosting the taping of the “The Jerry Springer Show” before live audience at its Rich Forum last week.
Other TV shows being taped there are “The Steve Wilkos Show” and “Maury” with Maury Povich.
Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy said NBC invested some $5 million to renovate the Rich Forum. The productions are also expected to generate thousands of room-nights annually for local hotels and other economic benefits, Malloy said. NBC said it now employs 200 people full-time in Stamford.
“Short-term, it”™s all positive,” Malloy said. “The real question is, is it real? Will it last? Will other jobs follow?”
NBC has a multiyear lease on the Forum and plans to tape about 160 episodes of each show there through June. The network pays guests”™ travel and lodging expenses, but no fees.
