CRAIG NOEL MEMORIAL TO BE HELD MAY 24
The Globe’s lower plaza to be named the Craig Noel Garden
SAN DIEGO (April 8, 2010)—Old Globe Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced a memorial service “Celebrating the Theatrical Legacy of Craig Noel” will be held on Monday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. The memorial service is free and open to all. Following the service, a reception will be held on the theater’s Copley Plaza.
“The memorial is an opportunity to celebrate a San Diego icon and pioneer of the American theater,” said Spisto. “We encourage everyone who knew Craig professionally and personally to join us in honoring this great man.”
On the day of the memorial, the Globe’s lower courtyard will be named the Craig Noel Garden. Both entrances to the garden will bear his name and a dedication plaque will be located at the main entrance. The prominent courtyard located directly below the iconic California Tower hosts dozens of Globe events each year, is a gathering place for staff and artists, and is used by countless park visitors from around the world.
“Craig was a witty and boisterous soul who thrived on his interaction with artists and patrons alike,” said Spisto. “It is fitting that a place for so many wonderful activities and that is enjoyed by so many is named for him.”
Founding Director of The Old Globe, Craig Noel died at his home in San Diego of natural causes on April 3 at the age of 94. Noel was a significant figure in the development of American theater, having led the Globe from its earliest days as a community organization to an internationally renowned institution. Over his more than 70-year career at the Globe, Noel directed more than 200 works, produced an additional 270 productions and created innovative and influential theater programs. In 2007, Noel received the National Medal of Arts – the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence – by President George W. Bush in a ceremony at the White House. Noel had been in failing health but remained active through his unflagging support of live theatre.
LOCATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org.
PHOTO EDITORS: Digital images of Craig Noel are available at www.TheOldGlobe.org/pressroom.
The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country’s leading professional regional theaters and has stood as San Diego’s flagship arts institution for 74 years. Under the direction of Executive Producer Louis G. Spisto, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 productions of classic, contemporary and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the 580-seat Old Globe Theatre, the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre and the 612-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 300,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theater's education and community programs. Numerous world premieres such as The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, A Catered Affair, and the annual holiday musical, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theaters across the country.
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