She did it. They did it. Marilyn Wick and her daughters (they own Costume World as well as the largest collection of American Theater costumes in the world) launched the new Wick Theater last night (which used to be the Caldwell) at a charming cocktail party at the newly renovated venue. You can already see the changes—the life masks of famous movie stars on one wall (that used to be in the Costume Museum), a shimmering costume from “White Christmas” in an alcove, a whole café complete with chandeliers from New York’s former Tavern On The Green, a gift shop with dazzling Venetian masks and hats—and even a dessert section!
Marilyn told Boca magazine in an interview this spring that she has always loved the theater and her ambitious undertaking to reopen the Caldwell as well as relocate her Costume Museum collection to the site (that opens in November) is testament to that. At last night’s party, which was attended by Boca VIPs and press, the first season’s schedule of shows was announced cleverly by a cabaret of performers singing songs from each. The season kicks off next week with the beloved “The Sound of Music,” September 19 to October 20, followed by “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, November 14 to December 25, “42nd Street,” from January 9 to February 9, “The Full Monty,” from February 20 to March 23, “Steel Magnolias” from April 3 to May 4 and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” from May 15 to June 15. The schedule is pure unapologetic vintage Broadway and dovetails with Wick’s magnificent costume collection, which she aptly describes as “a walk through the history of America Theater.”
The theater plus the museum is a stroke of nostalgic genius at the site, and we wish her all the best in this bold new venture. You can, too, by subscribing to the series. Visit THEWICK.ORG or call the box office at 561/995-2333.
