Sneak Peek At Capitol Theatre
Historic Theatre Re-Opens To Public Friday
Posted: 9:24 pm CST November 1, 2005Updated: 4:09 pm CST November 2, 2005
MADISON, Wis. -- On Friday the most historic portion of The Overture Center opens to the public.
Capitol TheatreCapitol Theatre looks like a 1928 movie palace.It's a step back in time.Even the original light fixtures glimmer from the ornate ceiling."It's hard to point to what is new and what is original because what has been added fits so gracefully with what was here before," said acoustical consultant Joseph Myers.Curtains sewn by the company that made the original theatre drapes add to the elegance of this part of the Overture project."This really starts the beginning of the final act, if you will, of developing Overture Center," said Overture Foundation president George Austin.A final and elegant act that marries a movie palace with 2005 acoustics.The original theatre, with uniformed ushers, was a fixture on State Street.But, the theatre's acoustics were not designed for live performances."Our challenge here was to take a building that was still fundamentally a movie theatre and turn it into a concert hall and theatre," said Myers.The key to the improved acoustics is a reduction of seats.The theatre now has 1,100 seats; 400 on the floor and 700 in the balcony.That's half of the Oscar Mayer theatre's original 2,200 seats.The Capitol Theatre lobby was created from the space that was formerly the final 16 rows of the old theatre."Those who know the theatre from it's Oscar Mayer days, those who heard the Madison Symphony here, will be quite surprised at how much warmer, fuller and more present the sound is," said Myers.Warmer and fuller sound will come from the orchestra shell.Heavier materials and better shape will make the sound more pleasing for music lovers."It is a space of unlimited opportunity for generations to come," said Overture Center Director Michael Goldberg. "For performances, for artists and for audiences to come in here to experience the magic of live performance."That magic that will begin Friday night when the theatre reopens for the first time since 2004.SLIDESHOW: Sidran Looks Back At Oscar Mayer HistoryThe first performances will be given by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Friday and Saturday nights.
Capitol TheatreCapitol Theatre looks like a 1928 movie palace.It's a step back in time.Even the original light fixtures glimmer from the ornate ceiling."It's hard to point to what is new and what is original because what has been added fits so gracefully with what was here before," said acoustical consultant Joseph Myers.Curtains sewn by the company that made the original theatre drapes add to the elegance of this part of the Overture project."This really starts the beginning of the final act, if you will, of developing Overture Center," said Overture Foundation president George Austin.A final and elegant act that marries a movie palace with 2005 acoustics.The original theatre, with uniformed ushers, was a fixture on State Street.But, the theatre's acoustics were not designed for live performances."Our challenge here was to take a building that was still fundamentally a movie theatre and turn it into a concert hall and theatre," said Myers.The key to the improved acoustics is a reduction of seats.The theatre now has 1,100 seats; 400 on the floor and 700 in the balcony.That's half of the Oscar Mayer theatre's original 2,200 seats.The Capitol Theatre lobby was created from the space that was formerly the final 16 rows of the old theatre."Those who know the theatre from it's Oscar Mayer days, those who heard the Madison Symphony here, will be quite surprised at how much warmer, fuller and more present the sound is," said Myers.Warmer and fuller sound will come from the orchestra shell.Heavier materials and better shape will make the sound more pleasing for music lovers."It is a space of unlimited opportunity for generations to come," said Overture Center Director Michael Goldberg. "For performances, for artists and for audiences to come in here to experience the magic of live performance."That magic that will begin Friday night when the theatre reopens for the first time since 2004.SLIDESHOW: Sidran Looks Back At Oscar Mayer HistoryThe first performances will be given by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Friday and Saturday nights. Previous Stories:
- May 21, 2004: Lights Go Out In Oscar Mayer Theater Saturday
Copyright 2006 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
