Laurie Beechman Theatre & West Bank Cafe to close

I’m not going to ever say Cabaret is an outdated style, but cabaret spaces are certainly an outdated business model. I hope somebody can make it work, but combining two fickle businesses (performing arts and dining) ain’t exactly an easy game. 

GoFundMe Campaign Launches to Save The West Bank Cafe and Laurie Beechman Theatre

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, The West Bank Cafe announced that it will be closing its doors next month. According to a post on the venue's social media pages, the closure is due to "circumstances beyond our control." Now, a GoFundMe campaign has launched to help save the venue from its demise.

The cafe, which also houses the Laurie Beechman Theatre, an 80-seat dinner theater located in the cafe's basement, was set to close in August, but now there may be hope that it can be saved.

 Despite a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2020, including a star-studded Christmas Day Telethon that helped the restaurant stay afloat, the denied government support given to other restaurants has once again put the venue in turmoil, even as business thrived. 

The same dedicated team—Tom D’Angora, Michael D'Angora, Tim Guinee, and Joe Iconis—that saved the Cafe during the pandemic are rallying support once more to ensure their survival and future success.

In 2020, when the pandemic threatened to shutter the Cafe and Theatre, the community came together, raising over $350,000 through a GoFundMe campaign and a star-studded Christmas Day streaming telethon. This event featured Broadway and cabaret performers, with appearances by major celebrities such as Sean Penn, Pete Townshend, Jinx Monsoon, Debra Messing, Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Andre De Shields, John Gallagher Jr, Megan Hilty, Kerry Butler, Martha Plimpton, Chip Zien, Betty Buckley, Melissa Rivers, and many more. These efforts helped the West Bank Cafe survive the pandemic and the lean years that followed.

Despite these heroic efforts, and business bouncing back post-pandemic, the lack of financial support from the RRF and SVOG has made it impossible for the Cafe and Theatre to thrive. 

To ensure the future of the beloved venue, the team is launching a new GoFundMe to kick off their effort and are in the midst of planning a star-studded gala event to assist with fundraising. As the West Bank Cafe approaches its 50th anniversary, the call to action is clear: the community wants the West Bank Café and the community must come together to save this invaluable cultural institution.

The Laurie Beechman Theatre is an irreplaceable part of the New York City performing arts scene, past and present. In addition to hosting legends like Joan Rivers and Pete Townshend, the Beechman functioned as a developmental incubator for artists such as Warren Leight, Lewis Black, Rusty Magee, Karen Finley, and so many more. The original cast of Sunday in the Park With George rehearsed there and Aaron Sorkin's first plays were performed there. Many of our most beloved theater artists have interacted with the room in one way or another.

The West Bank Cafe and Laurie Beechman Theatre have been serving the community for decades, offering a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional experiences. From hosting milestone celebrations to providing a trusted space for artists to showcase their talents, these venues are irreplaceable parts of New York City's cultural landscape.

Click here to learn more and to donate.

 

 

Not to be a pessimist, but if you have to do another emergency fundraise to save your venue again... isn't it time to pack up?

I’d like more details on why they didn’t or couldn’t receive those grants. 

These spaces are important, but you also do know how to run a business. That isn’t the public’s responsibility, yet those financials (or any financials actually) are often lost in the theater community. 

GoFundMe effort seeks to keep beloved Broadway dining spot afloat after COVID-19 troubles

“Everyone who is anyone comes in here,” D’Angora told The Post. “It was Cheetah Rivera’s favorite restaurant . . ."

THAT made me giggle. But "I lost two Tony awards I will not lose this restaurant" wasn't as cute. I'm still confused what they think will happen after the $850K is raised and two more years go by. BFA showcases and cabarets a business do not sustain.

EDIT: Did not expect a restaurant owner looking like an infant to give us an interview lecture on "theatre history" and be complaining about losing Tonys but what do I know about running a business?

Updated On: 7/25/24 at 07:09 PM

Maybe they should have put on better acts? That sad GFM amount isn't going to cut it. Yikes. 

I’m not a restaurateur but it would seem to me the most logical way forward is someone going to the owner proposing additional *investment* in the restaurant/club and a financial restructuring to add investors into the mix. Whether that means the owner steps aside from active duty and a more business-savvy person takes over, or the owner remains with some input from others.

Raising a million (or however much they actually need) via actual investors would probably be easier than raising it via GoFundMe.

But sometimes these small business owners would prefer to close before giving up complete control.

They just need better acts and to be more like Cafe Carlyle.  That’ll get people back in.

Closing for real.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDZ-Kc8P96n/?igsh=MWZ6aTduZGIzbW0wNQ==