On the Town: New sign illuminates venue’s name change to Garry Marshall Theatre
In May 1996, legendary television writer, producer and director Garry Marshall stood next to a ribbon-adorned shovel in an open lot on Burbank’s West Riverside Drive.
Surrounded by his wife Barbara, daughter Kathleen and son Scott, Marshall, who was about to break ground for the construction of a 130-seat theater that would also house his production company, said he had often wondered if that day would ever come.
That wonderment had built during appearances Marshall made before the city of Burbank’s Planning Board and City Council to seek approval to construct the complex.
“I learned something by going through this process,” said the man who brought America a handful of beloved feature films and television classics including “Happy Days,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “Mork & Mindy” and “The Odd Couple.”
“In today’s world, theater isn’t about producing good shows with great actors and directors. It’s not about writing or staging or lighting. Today, theater is all about having enough parking. Four hundred years ago, Shakespeare never had to worry about parking.”
The following year, the ribbon was cut on the theatrical venue that had been dubbed the Falcon Theatre, a name it operated under until this past summer when it changed to the Garry Marshall Theatre in honor of its founder, who died on July 19, 2016.
Welcomed by the theater company’s new artistic directors, Joseph Leo Bwarie and Dimitri Toscas, and Burbank Vice Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy, more than 300 of Garry Marshall’s friends, colleagues and fans were joined by Barbara, Kathleen, her 9-year-old daughter, Sienna, and Scott, for the first lighting of the new marquee this past Thursday evening.
Among the notables in attendance were Marshall’s entertainment colleagues Laurie Metcalf, Joe Mantegna, Hector Elizondo, Donna Pescow, Joey McIntyre, Rory O’Malley, Nadine Ellis, Gil Cates Jr., Jack McGee, Lowell Ganz, Fred Fox, Jaime Monroy, Babaloo Mandel and Paul Vogt.
Other special guests included NBC4 weatherman Fritz Coleman, special events and project producer Jackie Lewis of Burbank’s Jackie Lewis Productions, and two stars from one of Marshall’s greatest hits, “Happy Days,” Anson Williams and Marion Ross, whose forthcoming memoir, “My Days — Happy and Otherwise,” will be released in the spring.
Also on hand enjoying the celebration was Emmy Award-winning actress and Burbank resident Carolyn Hennesy, who is currently starring in the theater company’s production of “Master Class” by Terrence McNally.
To round out the theater’s season, it will also be presenting “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” in November, Edward Albee’s “Occupant” in February and “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” in March.
The Garry Marshall Theatre, which operates as a nonprofit, will also be staging a gala fundraiser on Nov. 13, which would have been Marshall’s 83rd birthday.
The event will include a special auction that will include items personally owned and used by Marshall.
To find more information on the theater’s shows and the gala, visit www.garrymarshalltheatre.org.
DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
