The Tony Award-winning theatre company received the endowment from Hartford Stage Board member George Estes and his wife Laura.

"Geo and Laura are passionate about downtown Hartford, the theatre, and specifically Hartford Stage," Wilson said in a statement. "By making this extraordinary gift, they are expressing their commitment to all three, as well as to the citizens of Connecticut. Geo and Laura are dedicated to sustaining and encouraging the future development of Hartford Stage. Their gift will not only be a legacy to Hartford but to all of Connecticut, and indeed, the American theatre."

Hartford Stage intends to utilize the funding to support a proposed renovation project that will modernize the current venue and allow an expansion of the current 489-seat theatre. Representatives for the Connecticut theatre said that full details of the renovation will be announced in late 2008.

Hartford Stage recently presented Tennessee Williams' The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore starring Olympia Dukakis and Kevin Anderson. On June 24 award-winning theatre legend Elaine Stritch takes to the stage in a special engagement of At Liberty (through June 29). The summer will also feature Jeffrey Hatcher's biographical stage musical Ella, starring Tina Fabrique as the late Fitzgerald, (July 8-27); and Carrie Fisher, who will perform her latest solo work Wishful Drinking (Aug. 6-17).

For tickets and more information visit hartfordstage.org.