Evening star., 1949-12-14
Be|asco0pening
For Stage Plays
Possible Soon
Academy May Book
Mr. Roberts as First
Offering in Spring

frightened prospects for re-
opening the Belasco Theater as a
legitimate playhouse appeared
here today, but the lease signing
stage remains several steps away
The American National Theater
and Academy hopes to end the
Capitals stage-fare famine next
spring with the Broadway hit play
"Mr. Roberts," as the first offer
ing.
This is the situation:
ANITA has written to the Gen
eral Services Administration Of
fering to lease the old theater on
Lafayette Square for 10 years,
with the Federal Government hav-
ing one-year cancellation right
the condition which has been a
stumbling block in the past.
Lease Discussion Next Step.
The new proposal is being con-
sidered by GSA and ANITA prob
ably will be invited to discuss
terms of a proposed lease agree
ment, drawn up in accordance
with standard practice of the Pub
lie Buildings Administration. The
GSA unit has custody of the the
ater building.
II details can be worked out,
ANITA probably will get possession
of the theater early next year.
Then, the big job of recondition-
ing it for stage presentations-a
project which could cost up to
$500, ,000-will begin.
The improved picture Of a re-
turn Of professional drama to
Washington was presented today
by the Office of Senator Flanders,
Republican, of Vermont, a leading
sponsor of the Belasco reconver-
sion project.
No Commitments Made.
Asked to comment on develop
ments, PBA officials cautioned
that no commitments had been
made. They explained that the
new letter had been received from
ANITA, and a reply was in prepa-
ton.
The Capital has not had a
legitimate theater since the Ma
tional switched to films at the
end Of its 1918 season because
of dispute over admission policy.
Actors Equity, the performers
union, decided its members would
not appear at the theater unless
the policy were changed to admit
persons of all races.
Marcus Heiman, head of the
corporation controlling the Ma
tional, decided to switch to mo-
tion pictures rather than accede
to the Equity demand.
No Segregation Planned.
ANITA negotiations have been
carried on with the understand
ing that the theater would be op-
Grated on a non-segregated basis.
The academy, an organization
chartered by Congress, repeatedly
has stated its willingness to invest
in the capital improvements nee
essary to make the Balasco ready
for new life as playhouse. 1t
now is a records warehouse.
But the PBA, while sympathetic
to the proposal of a 10-year lease,
has pointed out that it would have
to protect the Government with
q one-year cancellation clause.
PBA officials have emphasized
that the theater is to be razed
eventually to make room for an
addition to the Treasury Annex,
and the Government could not be
blocked by a long term lease when
it was ready to go ahead on con-
struction.
Special Legislation Sought.
ANITA, on the other hand,
stated it could not afford to pour
in money for improvements with
out assurance of reimbursement
in the event of cancellation-a
protection PBA could not give
under existing law.
Senator Flanders entered the
matter by lining up support of
other prominent Senators for spe-
cial legislation to reimburse ANITA
in the event Of such a cancella-
ton. With that understanding
of congressional help, the acad-
emy indicated its willingness to
accept the Governments reserva-
ton in any lease.
ANITA officials in New York
have said the organization would
move its headquarters to Wash
ington if a lease were signed.
D,,l~>l D..>> nv.