The Grand Archives

The Grand’s Playhouse finishes $1M renovation

Jacob Owens October 31, 2021

WILMINGTON – Thanks to the generosity of longtime donors Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, The Playhouse on Rodney Square has undergone a complete $1 million renovation during its extended closure of indoor performances. The 108-year-old Broadway ...

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News Briefs

United Way of Delaware donates $5,000 to send front-line workers through Light Show for free

Mike Rocheleau December 18, 2020

WILMINGTON – The United Way of Delaware today announced a $5,000 donation towards The Grand’s Healthcare Front-Line Workers Holiday Challenge. The challenge, started by The Grand’s Board of Directors, aims to raise funds to send ...

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The Playhouse on Rodney Square recently completed $1 million renovations during its COVID shutdown. | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GRAND[/caption] WILMINGTON – Thanks to the generosity of longtime donors Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, The Playhouse on Rodney Square has undergone a complete $1 million renovation during its extended closure of indoor performances. The 108-year-old Broadway style touring house is famously known for having been built by 100 men in 150 working days and at one point held the distinction as having one of the largest singular steel beams ever made to top off the proscenium arch. The Playhouse also holds the distinction of being the country’s longest continuously operating Broadway touring house (pre-COVID). Famous names such as Julie Andrews, Bette Davis, Fred Astaire, Carol Channing, Christopher Plummer, Abby Wambach, and Sutton Foster have all graced its stage. “We are honored to have stewarded the restoration of such a historic cultural asset in Wilmington,” The Grand Executive Director Mark Fields said in a statement. “As The Grand’s sister theater, these treasured community gathering spaces are important for the artistic soul of the city. The extended closure caused by the pandemic provided us a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to completely renovate and redesign portions of the theater.” The changes include new, wider audience seats, new paint, carpets, lighting, and drapery, and a new loading dock door, which will allow The Grand to attract larger Broadway touring shows. In tandem with these improvements, building owner Buccini/Pollin Group has also been hard at work reimagining the Dupont Building with more amenities to enhance visits to the building. Ongoing improvements will include new corridor lighting and signage package that will guide building visitors to its many attractions, most notably The Playhouse. Recently completed phasing includes a new bar and seating lounge adjacent to The Playhouse entry, which will now be used for theater concessions, as well as Currie Salon, Le Cavalier at The Green Room, and De.Co food hall. In all, nearly 50,000 square feet and $15 million of renovations were completed during COVID at the DuPont Building, BPG reported. “For more than a century, The Playhouse on Rodney Square has entertained Delaware with a parade of Hollywood stars, illustrious Broadway musicals, and famous speakers. But in recent years, the physical appearance of the theater didn’t complement the magic happening on its stage,” donor Tatiana Copeland said in a statement. “Gerret and I are pleased to have provided the gift for The Grand to refresh and brighten the Playhouse during this period of extended closure. This gift not only benefits The Grand, but also the audiences that enjoy performances there. We invite the community to come join us at the newly restored and beautiful Playhouse when it reopens in the fall of 2021.” “The Grand’s renovation of the historic Playhouse on Rodney Square coincides with BPG’s ongoing renovation of the Dupont Building,” commented Chris Buccini, co-President of The Buccini/Pollin Group. “It is another visual representation of our partnership with The Grand and both organizations’ commitment to Wilmington’s ongoing renaissance. The Playhouse’s re-opening times perfectly with the ground floor renovations of the Hotel Du Pont lobby, Le Cavalier at the Green Room, the office lobby for the Chemours headquarters and the M&T Bank Branch, as well as the opening of Currie Salon and Spa, the apartments at 101 dupont place, and DECO food hall. In all, nearly 50,000 SF and $15 million of renovations were completed during COVID alone to welcome back the community to heart of downtown Wilmington.” The Playhouse on Rodney Square will be welcoming four Broadway musicals during its 2021-2022 season. The season will open in November with Sara Bareilles’ “Waitress”, followed by the jukebox musical “Summer” (featuring the music of disco’s favorite Donna Summer) in December, then 25th Anniversary Tour of “Riverdance” in April, and closing with “Fiddler on the Roof” in June. Shows may continue to be added throughout the year. Subscriptions can be purchased by calling 302-652-5577. Subscribers enjoy dedicated seats, 20% off single ticket pricing, free parking, discounted dining, and exchange privileges.

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