The Wallis is proud to present The Wallis Delivers: Dreambuilders. Honoring our roots and paying homage to our beginnings as a Post Office in Beverly Hills, this fabulous virtual benefit tips its hat to where it all began 25 years ago.
We’re thrilled to celebrate The Honorable Vicki Reynolds, Paul Selwyn, and the late Richard Rosenzweig for their contributions to the conception of The Wallis. In preparation, we spoke with a couple of the key players: Paul Selwyn and Judy Henning (widow of Richard Rosenzweig) and reminisced over their favorite Wallis moments.
Join us for a special virtual benefit The Wallis Delivers: DreamBuilders on Wednesday, December 3 at 6:30pm PT. For tickets and more information, visit TheWallis.org/TheWallisDelivers
Thanks for speaking with us today! Can you give us a little background on your involvement with The Wallis?
PS: More than 25 years ago, I started the Beverly Hills Cultural Center Foundation as its Founding President. Caroline Ahmanson, Kerman Beriker and Richard “Dick” Rosenzwieg joined me on the original Board.
Our dream was to encourage the City to acquire the Historic Post Office and convert it into a Cultural Center to benefit the entire Community. The Postal Service was asking $12 million, but after a prolonged negotiation, the City was able to purchase the building for 2.25 million cash along with additional consideration.
What was the catalyst for the idea of building a world-class performing arts center in Beverly Hills? What was that initial conversation like?
PS: There were competing ideas on how to repurpose the Post Office. One proposal even suggested converting The Sorting Room into a basketball court. Fortunately, there were far sighted leaders who prevailed and saw the value of Beverly Hills having its own cultural center.
Even though I was aware of the project design, I was blown away by the final result when I saw it for the first time. It turned out better than anyone had expected. On opening night, I was overwhelmed with emotion as I watched the audience enter the theater with anticipation.
What were the main challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?
PS: Many people thought it would never happen, but I had confidence that we could pull it off. We overcame the first hurdle when we finally arrived at the selection of the right architect, Zoltan Pali. He was able to incorporate a first class performance space while still maintaining the integrity of the original building.
The most difficult challenge was when we realized that trying to squeeze an audience of 500 people into the existing building was just not going to work. The historic post office was a treasure, and the challenge was to repurpose it while maintaining its integrity. The architects we interviewed all agreed that we would need to rethink the project, and construct an entirely new and separate building connected to the Historic Post Office. Zoltan Pali found the right solution, but the cost of the project jumped from $27 million to $85 million. That was a huge increase, and we had to adjust our thinking to a new reality. Fortunately there were a number of citizens who shared our vision and stepped up to help fund the project. The most pivotal gift was Wallis Annenberg’s initial $15 million pledge which was followed by another $10 million gift. She gave others the confidence the project would happen. Bram Goldsmith and Paula Meehan followed with generous donations of $5 million each.
When the curtain rose on opening night and the theater came alive, it was an emotional moment for me and the many others who made this happen.
Over the past seven years, there have been hundreds of events and performances at The Wallis, attended by thousands of people, including celebrities, public figures, and notable artists. What stands out in your memory when you think of The Wallis?
PS: The original four members of the BHCC Foundation, along with Mayor Vicki Reynolds, were essential in making this happen. Bram Goldsmith joining the Board and providing leadership was another critical moment. There were so many other board members and community supporters who worked tirelessly to insure the success of this project.
The goal of converting the Historic Post Office Building into the cultural centerpiece of our community was well worth the effort. The Wallis gave Beverly Hills a new identity and a cultural heart.
JH: Well, we loved going to The Wallis and there were so many performances we adored. We loved the chamber music evenings with Vijay Gupta. All of the dance programs. Anything of Hershey Felder’s is just so exciting. We loved An Inspector Calls. The whole set, the production, what a wonderful play! And A Long Day’s Journey Into Night with Jeremy Irons and Leslie Mannvile was just brilliant. Love Actually LIVE is such a good holiday feel-good play, and what a production. We also loved Sisters in Law, a play about Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor. That was so good. And Al Pacino in The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel, wow, that was great. Something different like Mel Brooks and David Stienberg was just such a fun wonderful funny evening as a play. And what a treat to hear someone like Patty LePone.
So, anyway, there were just so many different things that we loved, it just wasn’t just one thing. I think you just come out of seeing a good play and your spirit lights up and you just feel different. Some evenings you’re tired and you don’t want to go out and then you go and see something wonderful. I don’t think I ever had a bad experience at The Wallis. My husband Dick, you know, he loved being there and sharing the excitement of the theater.
If you could write a manifesto for The Wallis, what would it be? What do you see in its future?
PS: Most families like mine who fled Europe to America at the beginning of World War II settled in the Eastern United States. Fortunately, my parents took the advice of a Belgian consular official who recommended they settle specifically in Beverly Hills. I was 5 years old when we arrived from Antwerp in 1938. This background and my deep roots here gave me a special appreciation for this community and a desire to improve it.
Being able to contribute something of lasting cultural value meant a lot to me. Creative people must be nurtured and encouraged. The arts teach us about ourselves, help us to understand each other, and allow us to come together as a community. I hope the Wallis can help heal the divisions among us, and improve the quality of life in a city I have lived and worked in for over 80 years.
Interview conducted by Hannah Burnett.