The present should go on.
A Broadway energy couple is shopping for the long-struggling Hells Kitchen West Financial institution Cafe – saving from closure a unusual however infamous basement theater the place Joan Rivers had her ultimate gig.
Producers Tom and Michael D’Angora now personal the cafe and its efficiency house the Laurie Beechman Theater, whose guests over time embody Stephen Soundheim, Al Pacino and Tennessee Williams.
“This has meant quite a bit to us for a very long time,” Tony nominee Tom D’Angora instructed the Publish Monday.
The couple, who reside simply throughout the road from the cafe, will take over from proprietor Steve Olsen, 70, who opened the cafe in 1978. Slight renovations that can quickly shut the spot are deliberate.
Michael D’Angora, a producer of “ Dance in Ohio” and the 2024 revival of “Cabaret,” known as the brand new endeavor “loopy,” including the acquisition began as a part of the hassle to assist Olsen and his enterprise — an iconic a part of the neighborhood and the theater group.
“This was not on our bingo card,” he mentioned. “It’s simply loopy that this new chapter has form of fallen into our laps.”
Phrases of the deal weren’t disclosed.
The cafe has weathered a sequence of monetary struggles, with its newest hurdle a deliberate closure in summer season that was solely staved off by the fundraising efforts of Broadway stars.
The D’Angoras had beforehand run a fundraiser after an absence of a COVID bailout cash first prompted the cafe to show to GoFundMe in 2020 when followers raised $350,000 to maintain the lights on.
In June, they spearheaded a GoFundMe that raised over $124,000 to save lots of the spot in June alongside actor Joe Iconis, after Olsen introduced the restaurant must shut its doorways by August after they continued to reel from an absence of monetary help.
The D’Angora’s then swooped in to create a sustainable marketing strategy with Olsen and Associated Firms — the proprietor and operator of Manhattan Plaza.
After cautious consideration, Olsen selected to step down, entrusting the D’Angoras with the way forward for the institution, in line with the couple.
“We’re eternally grateful for the assist we now have acquired from our Hell’s Kitchen and Theater communities and past via our illustrious 46-plus years on Theatre Row,” mentioned Steve Olsen, who had owned the spot since age 24.
The restaurant will shut starting on Dec 15, with a grand reopening slated for January 2025 after a splurge on “essential renovations.”
The Broadway energy couple mentioned they’re hoping for only a small “facelift,” to the upstairs restaurant, and can primarily concentrate on bettering the behind-the-scenes infrastructure.
The largest modifications, the D’Angoras mentioned, will likely be to the downstairs Laurie Beechman Theatre. New additions will revitalize the house so it might probably higher host theatrical workshops and night exhibits.
“Within the evenings it may be an area for Broadway stars for the most effective of the most effective … for Broadway, burlesque jazz, cabaret, all of the fantastic leisure that make up our group,” Tom D’Angora mentioned.
Administration, bartenders, waitstaff, and the menu favorites will all stay the identical within the iconic spot, the D’Angoras pledged.
“And, for all these private relationships and shared historical past we now have solid with our prospects and buddies,” he mentioned.
Native politicians praised the information.
“I’m grateful to Tom D’Angora & Michael D’Angora for stepping as much as save these iconic establishments whose storied legacy couldn’t be in higher palms,” state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal mentioned.
“That is a few of the greatest information I’ve heard in a very long time,” added Metropolis Council member Erik Bottcher.
Although the West Financial institution Cafe is formally saved, the D’Angoras mentioned there’s nonetheless loads of work forward.
“There’s a lot occurring, it’s going to be a enjoyable journey,” Michael D’Angora mentioned.
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