Upon recently relocating back to Connecticut, I read of Joel Schiavone’s passing on April 22 in New Haven.
I first met him in 1986 when interviewed for general manager of his Palace Theater. Schiavone’s corporation offices, in the Sherman Building on Chapel Street, were very sophisticated, the large entry room having two huge oriental rugs, no furniture, a fireplace, and a receptionist/secretary, his longtime guardian Eleanor.
Joel’s office had big art, vintage gas pumps, and a roll top desk. I took a personality test, and he haltingly stuttered, describing the job. Leaving, it was after 4 p.m., and my car had been towed off Chapel Street for traffic rush hour flow. I needed $50 cash to get it out of impoundment. I didn’t have cash, so back I went into Joel’s office, where I had to humbly ask for help. Joel’s wife arrived and forked out $50 to an embarrassed interviewee. In a few days he called me directly and said I could return for a second interview. I said “Joel, is this because I might get the job, or is it to return $50 ? To which he said, “I guess you’ll just have to find out!”
I became the seventh general manager of the then Palace Theater in three-and-a-half years. I was also to promote the Entertainment District’s Merchants Association. The operating budget had gone from $9 million down to $1 million. The objective was to bring theater-goers into Joel’s newly redeveloped district to eat, drink, shop and live. My chief directive was to fill 2,000 seats and rent the IATSE union hall regularly and sell drinks and concessions.
The budget did not cover paying for artists in-house or producing shows. My “staff” was a bright intern, Jennifer, a skeleton stage/house crew, and our box office manager, John. Ushers, bartenders and concessions part-timers came from The Shubert Theatre across the street, of which Joel owned a piece. With luck, advertising and promotion guru Joyce Logan was available for our presenters at The Palace, such as Michael Bolton’s “Dock of the Bay” record premiere release. In time, from that pool of supportive ushers and bartenders, we had a concessions manager Sheila, bar manager Cal, and Jennifer became a full-time assistant manager, They made my job much easier.
From that beginning, we presented a full schedule of top national touring music artists, a children’s series of nationally known artists including Sesame Street Live ( a coup) for two weeks. Local non-profits presented fundraisers rent free. The joint was jumping. In the next few years Joel spearheaded the elimination of the state 10% tax on non-profit theaters, we renegotiated lower ad print rates for all Connecticut non profit theaters, and a new IATSE union contract for the busier local members. We produced a statewide talent show “ConnQuest,” worked with Shakespeare on the Green, and, for the first time, met with all the Connecticut theater managers to reduce competing with each other.
Virtually every major comedian, jazz, R &B, folk, new music artist(s) played The Palace. Artists signed the back door entry wall, and were impressed with the beautiful green rooms, our tech abilities, and the Bosendorfer piano. Everyone, including patrons, were told “ we’re glad you’re here and want you back” – every show.
We all believed in Joel Schiavone’s vision for a revitalized downtown New Haven. Laura Ashley, Boppers, Bruxell’s and other restaurants, a fine shoe store, and the two theaters breathed life and ancillary dollars into the city and life into the sliding-scale rented, attractive new stores . We had closed-off street Taste of New Haven, Christmas Strolls, and horse and carriage rides.
When the recession/ banking debacle hit, it literally knocked out Joel’s financing of everything and our jobs. It was the toughest and cruelest thing to happen to all those who wanted the successful revitalization. We were grateful for the burgeoning opportunities, the work, and especially to the man who forged it all. I’m not sure many remember just how impactful it was at the time, or now. It was a great loss as an emotional investment for many.
In all my time as GM, Joel never set foot in my office, other than seeing him at shows, or with other Schiavone managers and at events. The main communication to me was through signed typewritten small notes giving me encouragement and appreciation. I still have them.
I recently read of his passing as being a banjo-playing showman, and a stubbornly unpredictable enigma.
But, I think he deserves New Haven and Connecticut’s appreciation and respect in hindsight. He was one of Connecticut’s largest employers, including The New Haven Nighthawks, CT Limo, pet stores, Your Father’s Mustache clubs, and a developer of many blocks of a decaying downtown New Haven: a monstrously enormous financial risk-taking enterprise.
I hope New Haven, now, might recognize and publicly show the creative credit he deserves. Over and above his vulnerabilities, he was a remarkable New Haven son.
M. Merritt Warne lives in Southbury.
