An official launch party was scheduled to take place on Monday with a special production of the play "Morris Schimmel," directed by Yael Ronen and featuring Avi Kushnir and Lea Koenig in the leading roles. On Sunday, Habima's management opened the building's doors for a press tour before its official unveiling to the public. The tour was led by Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai and Habima's general manager Odelia Friedman. "This is a historic day for the national theater and a historic day for the state of Israel," Friedman said. "We are returning home after five years, and it hasn't been an easy feat." Get the Israel Hayom newsletter sent to your mailbox! Habima management chose not to discuss the massive debts the theater has incurred as a result of its extended renovations, which cost an estimated NIS 105 million ($28 million). "We have experienced cash-flow problems over the last five years, but this matter is being dealt with," Friedman said. "The theater has reached a new fiscal recovery plan with the Finance Ministry, and I believe we will get out of this crisis." The national theaters financial difficulties are no secret. Only five months ago, its employees went on strike and performances were canceled for several days after workers did not receive their salaries and no payments were made to their pension funds. Workers and management reached an agreement in the end, but the root problem was not solved. Habima has a deficit of some NIS 40 million ($10.7 million), including NIS 23 million ($6.1 million) owed to the state. The rest is owed to banks and the theaters suppliers. The new theater building was designed by architect Ram Karmi, an Israel Prize laureate. Half the funding (NIS 57 million) for the project came from the Tel Aviv municipality, while the other half was granted by the Israeli government. The new theater complex consists of four separate halls of varying sizes: The "Habima 4" hall (formerly known as the "Habima Heineken Club"), with 180 seats and tables, intended for solo performances, smaller plays and musical performances and is set to open next month. The second hall, named after stage actor Yehoshua Bartonov, holds 220 seats and allows for a unique connection between actors and audience. An impressive upward staircase leads to a side room that will soon be turned into a mini-museum dedicated to the legendary late Israeli theater actress Hanna Rovina. The space will exhibit some of her personal items, including costumes, wigs and accessories, and will become a permanent station for groups coming to tour the theater. The main hall, named after Rovina, has a seating capacity of 930. "We created an extended stage, allowing for a heightened connection between the audience and the stage," explained Friedman. "The balcony is also different, as it is designed in a Roman style, and the hall includes six private VIP viewing booths, with two to four seats." The fourth and final hall has 320 seats, and is named after Israel Prize laureate and stage actor the late Aharon Meskin. This hall is expected to stage a production based on Amos Oz's book, "The Same Sea." The new complex includes an impressive staircase that looks out on an equally impressive landscape, complete with tended gardens, a water sculpture and a newly created bustling public space that includes cafes. The ongoing renovation of the Frederic R. Mann Auditorium is the only factor considered to be delaying the conversion of the complex into a bona-fide cultural center. A major inaugural event, including a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, is scheduled to take place at the theater in January.
After nearly five years and a multimillion dollar facelift that forced it to stage performances at other venues, Israel's national Habima Theater is returning to its rightful home in central Tel Aviv.
