BEACON THEATRE: FREE Open House
Experience this Interior Landmark first-hand!
|
|
The legendary Beacon Theatre--a New York City Interior Landmark--was saved not by chance, but by the sustained efforts of the citizen-advocates of Save the Beacon Theatre, in 1984. More recently, the conscientious stewardship of The Dolan Family and Madison Square Garden Entertainment made possible a prideful restoration of its majestic interior. Working with architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle, the restoration has been more than just a rehearsal, but a true tour de force performance!
To mark this preservation achievement, LANDMARK WEST! honored the Save the Beacon Theatre group with one of our 2009 "Unsung Heroes of the Upper West Side" Awards (more below!). Next week, YOU'RE INVITED to experience this landmark interior first hand!
WHAT: FREE open house, hosted by
the historic Beacon Theatre andCirque du Soleil
WHEN: Wednesday, February 10, 2010, from 4:30PM to 7PM
WHERE: The Beacon Theatre,
2124 Broadway and West 74th Street
WHY: Take advantage of this a rare opportunity to tour the recently restored, majestic interior of the Beacon Theatre, a New York City Interior Landmark. Not to mention an exclusive sneak peek at the
creative process behind Cirque du Soleil's newest production, Banana Shpeel; a chance to meet and greet Cirque du Soleil artists;
a not-to-be-missed tasting from area restaurants and businesses!
|
The Beacon Theatre shines once more!
|
|
Though it is truly a wonder to behold, the majestically restored Beacon Theatre is no "Miracle on 74th Street." Planned as the Roxy Midway Theatre and opened in 1929, the future Beacon was the brainchild of theatrical impresario Samuel "Roxy" Rothfel (who later helped create Radio City Music Hall) and planned as party of the Roxy Circuit of "movie palaces." Chicago architect Walter Ahlschlager designed the Beacon in an opulent pastiche of historical styles. The interior was renowned for its flawless acoustics and became a coveted venue for musical superstars. It was designated as an official NYC Interior Landmark in 1979. Still, its future was not secure. In 1986, Save the Beacon Theatre formed in swift response to a developer's proposal to carve out the space for a discotheque-a plan that, incredibly, was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Years of grassroots advocacy and legal action keep destruction at bay until, finally, the tide turned. Today, after a seven-month restoration by Beyer Blinder Belle, the Beacon shines once more.
|
| Cirque du Soleil at the Beacon Theatre |
Don't call it a circus. It's not a musical or a variety show.
This isn't vaudeville. It is ...
Visit the official Cirque du Soleil website for details about the show!
Remember, this is just a sneak peek! Banana Shpeel opens February 25, 2010!
|
