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Celeste Holm, Elizabeth Wilson Wax Lyric-al

by Allan Appel | May 7, 2012 9:49 am

(4) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author

Posted to: Arts & Entertainment

David Sepulveda Photos Academy Award winner Celeste Holm and Tony winner Elizabeth Wilson covered Lyric Hall Sunday not just with their admirers, but with comfortably upholstered seats for the revived former silent film theater’s wooden folding chairs.

Holm (All About Eve, Gentlemen’s Agreement) and Wilson (Picnic) marked their 95th and 91st birthdays respectively with a bash that drew a festive crowd of 75 of their admirers to the Whalley Avenue antiques shop and performance space at the gateway to Westville Village.

Lyric Hall founder John Cavaliere, the event’s executive impresario, said that proceeds from the fundraising event will pay for the upholstering of the theater’s 40 folding chairs with comfortable new cushioning.

The event included a viewing of Ray Glanzman’s documentary Broads on actresses from the 1930s and 1940s, including Holm and Wilson. Then, at 4:30, celebrants arose from their comfortable seats, sang happy birthday, and toasted the legendary thespians with birthday cake and prosecco.

The former silent film theater is almost a centenarian itself, having been built in 1913 and recently renovated by Cavaliere (pictured). It is rapidly becoming an artistic mecca not only for New Haven but for folks from the wider circle of New York and New England cultural circles, many of whom hoisted glasses at Sunday’s event.

Holm’s husband, singer Frank Basile, knocked out Broadway tunes for the crowd Sunday.

Elizabeth Wilson appeared in the “Broads” on screen while watching the film with the audience.

Portraits of the actresses were unveiled.

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posted by: Semi Semi-Dikoko on May 7, 2012  1:51pm

Let’s see:
Celebrating the legacy of these Hollywood Grandes Dames, World class Jazz by Wallace Roney and his band, the Screening of “Nou Yorkers”, (the international film by Guadeloupean born Director JeanLuk Stanislas featuring NYC Graffiti artist James Top - appearing alongside the Director), all this and much more within the last month or so!

Indeed, the house that John Cavaliere renovated, this ... “former silent film theater is [ ... ] rapidly becoming an artistic mecca not only for New Haven but for folks from the wider circle of New York and New England cultural circles, many of whom hoisted glasses at Sunday’s event”. Very well put Allan Appel. Thanks for a great coverage for the many who couldn’t make it!

posted by: Bill Saunders on May 8, 2012  1:53pm

Who painted the portraits???
The one pictured is amazing!

posted by: Truth Avenger on May 8, 2012  8:11pm

@Bill Saunders, The portrait of Elizabeth Wilson was painted by artist Joel Spector.

posted by: Bill Saunders on May 9, 2012  2:53pm

Thanks, Truth!

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