ex-Jimmy Tingle theater reopening as 'Davis Square Theater' on 12/7/11

[ron_newman]

The former Jimmy Tingle theater (in the basement below Foundry) will be renamed to 'Davis Square Theater' and will reopen on December 7, 2011 with an Actors' Shakespeare Project production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. The theater closed on October 31, 2007.

(Source: conversation on ASP's Facebook page)

Comments

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

It's not clear whether ASP is renting for this one production, or if they're taking over management.

[ron_newman]

Sounds to me like just renting it -- as they had planned to do in 2008, but couldn't because it closed. But I'll ask on their Facebook page.

None of ASP's shows later this season are in the Davis Square Theater. They seem to really enjoy jumping around from venue to venue.

[ron_newman]

ASP replied on their facebook page: "we are not. You can contact the management company in Davis Square. We are just renting."

I've also posted a question on Foundry's page asking if they will be managing the theatre.

[ron_newman]

And Foundry replied:

"Indeed, we are very excited to be hosting the Actors' Shakespeare Project, and look forward to many more great events in our lil' theatre. "

[teko.livejournal.com]

I'm curious to see how this syncs up with Foundry's plans to open a new bar called Saloon (http://bostonrestaurants.blogspot.com/2011/08/foundry-on-elm-in-somervilles-davis.html) in their downstairs space. I guess the former theater is separate from that space?

[ron_newman]

I think so, but maybe I'll try to sneak around that basement myself soon and see for myself. When Foundry first made public presentations about their plans, they included three separate spaces: a restaurant on the ground floor, a 'lounge' below, and a reconstructed theatre.

[teko.livejournal.com]

Ah, OK, that makes sense. I never got down to the Jimmy Tingle, so I can't really picture how the new space is going to work. It'll be awesome when it's all open for business.

[ron_newman]

To get to Jimmy Tingle's, you had to go in the Gorin Building's front door, then go downtstairs and then walk a really long and twisting corridor. I don't know what the rest of that basement was formerly used for.

I have some vague recollection that they want to move the theatre entrance into the adjoining alley, but I may be misremembering.

[teko.livejournal.com]

No, that's right -- I remember that from the architect's renderings Foundry posted before they opened. The alleyway had lights strung up and a cute little entrance for the theatre.