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The Fisher Theatre
celebrates four decades
of bringing the magic
of the stage to Detroit
area audiences.
SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to the Jewish News
I
magine Richard Rodgers composing music at a
small piano as actors rehearse a new play.
Imagine Shirley Jones stuck in an elevator as an
audience awaits a musical's second act. Imagine
producer David Merrick threatening to close Hello
Dolly! before it could reach Broadway because he
thought it would fail.
Imagine, also, many stage icons enjoying Jewish-style
cooking in the home of the prominent Detroit family
that has brought drama, comedy and music to Fisher
Theatre audiences over the past four decades.
For stars on tour, for people working behind the
scenes and for members of the Nederlander dynasty
operating the landmark venue, these are among the
actual memories they happily share as the Fisher is cele-
brated in its 40th anniversary season.
The Fisher Theatre opened October 1, 1961, with the
pre-Broadway musical The Gay Life, starring Barbara
Cook and Jules Munshin.
On October 1, 2001, in the middle of the run of this
season's opener, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas star-
ring Ann Margret, will come the announcement of the
winner of the first Nederlander Award for Excellence in
Theatre, "The Apple."
Honoring the wife of Fisher Theatre founder David T.
(D.T.) Nederlander, Sarah Applebaum Nederlander —
affectionately known as "Apple" — the award establish-
es a visiting artist fund for the Wayne State University
College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts.
Recipients of the award, which includes 510,000 and
a crystal apple, will conduct master classes at Wayne
and be saluted at annual gala benefits at the theater.
"We have a lot to celebrate at the Fisher Theatre this
year, but we would not be doing it without the support
of Detroit theatergoers and the arts and entertainment
community" says Harry J. Nederlander, president of
the Nederlander Co.
"The Apple Award and visiting artist funding is our
way of saying, 'Thank you."'
❑
Left: The Fisher Theatre offers 2,089 seats on four levels:
Orchestra, 994; Mezzanine, 226; Loge, 384; Balcony,
485. The last row in the balcony is 92 feet from the stage.
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2001
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