The Westside Repertory Theatre, a familiar outpost on Manhattan's Upper West Side for 29 years, was closed this week by Managing Director Fred Mann. Mann had run the theatre for the past five years
Mann told Back Stage that the limitations of having only 32 seats in the house and the loss of key board members proved too much to cope with.
"It's the story of theatre in New York, " Mann said. "The trick is to find people who have a real commitment.You can only wear so many caps."
Effective March 24, Mann closed Westside Rep after carefully inventorying wardrobe and props and returning rented equipment. He said he plans to recruit a new board and once that is accomplished the next step will be establishing a search committee to find new space."
Mann said he felt guilty about the closing of the space, particularly because it meant there were even fewer places for new talent to break in to theatre. "There aren't any apprenticeships anymore," Mann said. "You're either on the bottom or you're on Broadway." Mann hopes to carry that over to his next theatre. "I'd want to add a broader view," Mann said. "Yes, do Shakespeare, but maybe add small musicals and take the programs to the education system."
For those interested, you can contact the Westside Repertory Theatre care of Fred Mann at P. O. Box 784, Times Square Post Office, New York, NY, 10108-0784 or by calling Mann at (212) 589-5968.
