DATE: Sunday, August 17, 1997               TAG: 9708150219

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 02   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: Ida Kay's Portsmouth 

SOURCE: Ida Kay Jordan 

                                            LENGTH:   69 lines

WILLETT HALL IMPROVEMENT HAPPENS SLOWLY BUT SURELY

The metamorphosis of Willett Hall may seem slow - but it's happening.

We're having to try different things to see how they work, Ports Events director Linda Lamm told me. Ports Events took over management of the hall two years ago and the pace has picked up considerably.

Furthermore, it's neater and cleaner. It looks like somebody cares.

Refurbishing plans are well under way. New carpeting has been installed and they're working on the seats, which will be reupholstered in groups as money is available until all 2,000 have new covers.

The snack bar will get a new taste this year with Brutti's taking over. The downtown coffee shop will operate the refreshment stand for most performances.

In addition, Ports Events has received a license to serve beer and wine, but that privilege will be reserved for special occasions such as receptions for artists or for donors.

The license was possible because Willett no longer is considered part of the school next door. The ability to serve wine is a welcome addition to Willett's new life and puts the hall in the same league with other concert halls in the region.

Part of the problem with Willett always has been the public's notion that it is a school auditorium. People who never have been there don't know that it is a superb concert hall.

Actually, it's as good, if not better, than others in the area. Its design makes virtually every seat in the house a good one and you can't say that about Chrysler Hall or even the remodeled Harrison Opera House. Parking at Willett not only is conveniently accessible to the front door. It's all free.

This year Ports Events has booked its own series again. Tiger Wood's daddy will talk about how he raised a solid young golf champion. Sam Donaldson will no doubt be very provocative about politics. And George Carlin's special brand of humor probably will fill the house - it usually does.

Swing music lovers will have fun with three Sunday afternoon concerts by the Sammy Kaye Orchestra, Larry Elgart and the Hooked on Swing Orchestra and the Woody Herman Band.

And for modern jazz fans there'll be Boney James and Fattburger and the Rippington with Russ Freeman.

``Radio Days,'' a World War II variety show, will be presented next spring. It's appropriate for this city where that war made such an impact.

The Portsmouth Community Concert Association's 59th season is an especially good one.

``American Rhapsody,'' a centennial celebration of the music of George and Ira Gershwin, will be presented by eight singers and dancers with a costume wardrobe that reflects the moods and styles from Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood. They will be accompanied by an 18-piece orchestra.

The season also will feature an outstanding young African American soprano, Bridgett Hooks; a young pianist from Taiwan, Wu Han; and an outstanding organist, Aram Basmadjian.

The five-concert season will be rounded out with a show called ``Banjomania,'' a group of four performers who play banjos, sing and do comedy routines.

In addition, several private promoters are booking the hall for plays and gospel concerts. The trend toward use by promoters is expected to continue as more and more people discover all the positive things about Willett Hall.

A decade ago, then City Manager George Hanbury immediately saw the possibilities when he saw Willett Hall. He convinced City Council to remodel it. And things were fine as long as Hanbury was here.

He left and the hall began to go downhill. Several years ago City Council made a deal with Ports Events to manage the facility.

Ports Events has taken the right approach, trial and error to keep the things that work and eliminate those that don't. It's been a slow process but one that ultimately will make an impact on the city's image while also bringing in some money.

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