Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater (Thursday Doors)

if you
think about it
we have many children–
our actions and our words
plant seeds, grow be
yond us

I have hundreds of photos in a folder marked doors, the majority of them having been taken before I started paying attention to the buildings and streets that surrounded them. At least I took some photos of the building for this one! I also remembered it was somewhere near Central Park West in the West 60s. When I enlarged one of the door photos I could read the name: Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater.

Of course the door caught my eye. It turns out this is part of the West Side YMCA, the back of the building, which at one time housed not only the theater, but the Frederick Henry Cossitt Dormitory, “which until 1988 served as a dormitory for students attending the McBurney School, a preparatory institution that inspired the plot of J.D. Salinger’s masterpiece The Catcher in the Rye.” (info courtesy untapped new york). The theater survives, and is thriving as both a performance and rehearsal space.

Originally used as a School for Movie Projectionists, but converted to a 145 seat theater for the Y’s drama and theater programs, it had fallen into disrepair by the early 2000s. The institution raised the two million dollars needed to restore it, and the upgraded and refurbished interior designed by theater architect Mitchel Kurtz reopened in 2004. It was named for Marjorie S Deane, a “fashion industry icon” who had a particular interest in costume design for theater. A philanthropist, I imagine she gave a large sum to the restoration fund, although that was not noted anywhere.

Now I need to photograph the front of the building.

My poem is yet another badger’s hexastitch, written for Nigel Byng’s W3 prompt, an ekphrastic response to Rodin’s “The Thinker” about good parenting. All those who have contributed to the restoration and continuation of this theater have planted valuable seeds both in the neighborhood and the city.

Here’s their mission statement:
The MSDL Theater is a non-profit, independent off-Broadway theater, which exists to create and launch new and innovative works that inspire, entertain, and reflect our diverse community.

We strive to serve our community by providing affordable and high-quality professional arts performances, programming, training, and education while furthering the YMCA of Greater New York’s Mission of building healthy bodies, healthy minds, and healthy spirits.

Good parenting indeed.

And look for more doors at Thursday Doors, hosted by Dan Antion.