Vigil Planned for Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford [UPDATED]

An update from Edward Goodrich on Friday morning:

Good morning. Just a quick update about tomorrow's Vigil/New Beginning Gathering. The Mayor and other Town Officials had reached out to me yesterday and like the rest of us, are genuinely stunned and saddened at the horrific fire that destroyed our beloved Shakespeare Theater. A very kind gesture that symbolizes we are all Stratfordites at this moment.

The game plan for tomorrow is to all rendezvous at the entrance of the Theater at 12 noon. That's at the White House and the Shakespeare Garden. From there we will all walk together to the old Costume Shop. The Mayor has directed PW to set up a small station where people could sign leave off flowers or other tokens of appreciation. We thank her for being accommodating.

Nothing more at this time. See you up front at noon.

As the investigation into the cause of the fire that destroyed the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre early Sunday morning, there is an important message from a former chairman of the Stratford's Arts Commission Edward Goodrich.

The sudden tragic loss of our beloved Shakespeare Theater hangs heavy in our hearts. The outpouring of grief and dismay is felt far and wide.

At this time I think it would be appropriate to gather at the site so as to all say our final farewell together. The theater has been an inspiration for people world wide to gather and enjoy artistic works of Shakespeare and other fantastic theatrical productions.

This Saturday, January 19th at 12 noon, people will be gathered for a Vigil and remembrance. Please come down and join us. We will be saying goodbye to the old theater that we knew, but saying hello to a new future.

Let's let everyone know that we all want to move forward with a new beginning on the grounds. We where all inspired by what we experienced there. Let's not let the dream die. Let's make sure it lives on. Hope to see you there!

Click to read a remembrance written by Naugatuck Patch Theatre Reviewer Nancy Sasso Janis

Photo by Nancy Sasso Janis