Actress Linda Lavin gives back to local art community

WILMINGTON — Thirty years ago actress Linda Lavin hit became well known during a nine-year run as TV’s favorite waitress: Alice.

Now Linda makes her home in Wilmington, where she and her husband are giving back to the local arts community.

In a newly renovated house on S. Third Street Linda Lavin and Steve Bakunas are starting something special. The house they bought as an investment has evolved into a studio for Bakunas’s art and music.

“Basically the idea was to have a place to come and create,” Bakunas said.

But it’s also the start of a greater effort. Over the last few months Lavin and Bakunas have bought up several neighboring properties, turning what was a crime-ridden block into what they hope will be a sort of artists village, providing affordable housing and inspiration for creative people.

“I thought, how nice to have a community, a neighborhood of people I’m surrounded by that are inspired also, or that have a vision to really develop a neighborhood, or just a good community,” Bakunas said.

Lavin said, “The possibilities just shot up as we looked around and saw what was here and what needed work.”

Lavin moved to Wilmington a decade ago after falling in love with the Port City while making a movie here.

“I was at a point in my life where I wanted to give back rather than look behind me to see who was encroaching and what could I get,” Lavin said.

And that’s what Lavin and Bakunas are still trying to do. Another recent purchase is a garage nextdoor. They’re using it to build a set and rehearse for an upcoming production of the play “Art” at Thalian Hall, in which Lavin directs Bakunas and two other local actors.

Now they hope their work will help inspire others. Work, Lavin says, is made possible by the biggest success in her career, far away from the peace and fulfillment she finds in Wilmington.

“It only comes, let’s face it, because I did have the success on ‘Alice.'”

Lavin and Bakunas are giving back directly through some upcoming performances. The play “Art” opens at Thalian Hall’s studio theatre this Thursday and runs the next two weekends. Performances begin at eight p.m. — except for Sunday shows, which are 3 p.m. matinees.

Lavin’s cabaret act “Songs and Confessions of a One-Time Waitress” kicks off the season at Thalian Hall’s main stage next month. For tickets call 343-3664 or go online to www.thalianhall.com.