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New Colonial Theatre Signage01:54PM / Tuesday, January 20, 2009
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – It just became a lot easier for people visiting Pittsfield to find The Colonial Theatre thanks to a generous gift of a sign from, Francis Investment Consulting Group, Inc. and eighth generation Pittsfield residents, King and Debbie Francis and Rick Francis of Brooklyn Heights, NY. The Colonial has installed this handsome display sign in front of the theater so that it can be clearly seen by people traveling in both directions on South Street.
The sign currently displays a permanent Colonial Theatre logo in a lighted panel at the top and is designed to accommodate future displays of performance information.
King Francis explained his rationale for spearheading this extraordinary family gift to the Colonial, “this is an important time to support Pittsfield. Our roots run deep here and we just want the impressive revitalization taking place in Pittsfield to continue. Something really remarkable has happened to our downtown with the opening of The Colonial Theatre and we felt strongly that we had to step up in a big way now, when the need is the greatest. We hope others will realize both the extent of the need and the size of this opportunity to do something meaningful for Pittsfield and the Berkshires.”
“Smaller gifts from the thousands of people who enjoy the benefits the Colonial brings to the Berkshires are crucial,” according to The Colonial Theatre’s Executive Director, David Fleming, “but the Colonial can only accomplish the kind of remarkable things that make people sit up and take notice with a mix of larger gifts like this one from the Francis family.” As an example, Mr. Fleming recalls some other remarkable gifts. “The Colonial is now able to provide subsidized tickets for students in need through a generous grant from TDBankNorth and through a future endowment from Ruth and Nick Boraski. A year ago we received a fully restored 1894 Hamburg Steinway Concert Grand Piano, from Jim Chervenak in memory of his wife Françoise Nunnallé, so that artists coming to the Colonial would have an exceptional instrument to play.”
According to Mr. Fleming, “Ticket sales, rentals and concessions cover just over half of the costs of operating and programming The Colonial Theatre. Like most similar theaters in America, that means the Colonial must raise the other half of its income from gifts and grants from individuals, businesses and foundations every single year.” |
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