East Village theater to get $1.7M facelift

The Theater for the New City, a staple of the East Village cultural scene, is getting a major $1.7 million makeover, the Local East Village reported.

The theater, which first moved to its current location at 155 First Avenue in 1986, has commissioned Shake Shack designer James Wines for the redesign. The facade will feature theater seats decorated with umbrellas, coats and programs. Crystal Field, the theater’s executive artistic director, told the Local that the design would complement the neighborhood, adding that “we’re very proud that it isn’t one of those glass and steel designs found all over the city.” 

The makeover was a long time coming, but has languished due to continuous funding problems. The theater will reach out to the Department of Cultural Affairs for financial assistance next week. Field said the theater couldn’t make its request earlier because it only paid off its mortgage in December 2012.

The new facade and the requisite structural changes are expected to cost $1.7 million, of which the theater hopes to contribute $200,000. [Local] —Hiten Samtani