ARTICLE
It was repeated over and over Thursday morning at a ribbon-cutting event celebrating the reopening of Civic Theatre of Allentown — the 90-year-old art deco building on 19th Street is the “crown jewel” of west Allentown. It certainly has always been that way in spirit, bringing people together in artistic and intellectual pursuits. But in recent decades, the ornate building didn’t look much like a jewel, as time and lack of money took their toll. A sneak peek inside before Friday’s red carpet reopening with “Billy Elliot the Musical” shows the theater is back to being a crown jewel in every way. Every mural and every molding, as well as the massive dome ceiling, has been restored to its original beauty. The new proscenium is a work of art. Sound-absorbing curtains promise improved acoustics. The 500 new seats are comfortable and clean. The box office has been renovated and a new patron lounge features as its centerpiece a stunning wood bar. New maroon, taupe and black carpeting throughout the theater re-creates the original. Behind the scenes, there’s a new air conditioning system and new sound and lighting systems. It all cost more than $5 million, and a Donor Wall in the lobby honors some of the biggest supporters, including celebrities — Christine Taylor, who once acted at Civic, and Ben Stiller — local companies such as Service Electric, The Morning Call and Air Products — and individual arts lovers such as Tony and JoJo Muir, Ed Baldrige and Lydia Panas and Joan Miller Moran and William J. Fenza. The patron lounge has been named after Barry and Sharon Glassman, longtime supporters, board members, actors and financial supporters. Sharon left her position as board president to co-chair the $5.5 million capital campaign, which was launched two years ago. The theater closed in December, with productions staged at Cedar Crest College. To say the people at the ribbon-cutting were excited about the reopening is an understatement. They gushed; they praised each other. But mostly they honored the crown jewel that brought them all together. Civic Theatre of Allentown A view looking from the stage of the restored Civic Theatre of Allentown. (RICK KINTZEL / THE MORNING CALL) Because it was raining, the ceremony was held across the street at Civic Theatre514, in the auditorium where films and smaller productions are presented. Greg Butz, co-chairman of the capital campaign and president and CEO of Alvin H. Butz Inc., the project construction manager, kicked things off by welcoming the dignitaries and being the first to praise state Sen. Pat Browne, whose help securing a highly competitive $2 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program matching grant made the restoration project possible. “We wouldn’t be here having a ribbon-cutting if it weren’t for his role,” Butz said. “The 19th Street Theatre has been given new life,” proclaimed Civic Board President Maria DeFebo-Edwards, referencing all the players in the project, including 41 companies, Civic staff and board, donors, the neighborhood and the greater Lehigh Valley community. Frank Facchiano, a board member and executive vice president of member relations for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, called the theater a “rare gem” that has been entertaining generations as the anchor of the West End Theatre District. Barry Glassman recounted the history of the theater and posed the question of why it has survived when so many others have not. “It’s not the building that makes this place great, it’s the heart,” he said. “But without the facility the heart can’t beat.” He said the restoration “guarantees the heart will continue to beat.” Glassman reminded the crowd that the project is not finished. Half a million dollars remains to be raised to complete Phase 3 — the renovation of the Children’s Theatre School on the second floor. He said the goal of the Donor Wall, in addition to honoring supporters, is to encourage people to continue to give. Civic Theatre supporters and staff and board cut a ceremonial ribbon Thursday morning to celebrate the re-opening of the theater after a multi-million dollar renovation. (RICK KINTZEL / THE MORNING CALL) Glassman introduced Browne, who he said “worked so hard to make sure this happened” and “is a friend to all of us in the Lehigh Valley.” In his speech, Browne reflected on the spirit of Allentonians, who he said are “doers — workhorses, not showhorses,” “humble,” “civic minded,” “deferential and tolerant” and always filled with “enthusiasm.” He talked about how Allentown was known as a city of theaters, with 15 of them downtown in the 1920s, when the growing West End wanted its own. Civic became a place that “shaped and gave greater meaning to all of those who entered,” Browne said. It’s a place that takes visitors on a “journey beyond our senses ... it is what best defines who we are. We will always find that … the next time we join together on 19th Street.” Allentown Mayor Ray O’Connell, who said he and his wife and children and grandchildren attend Civic Theatre productions, proclaimed Oct. 11-18 as 19th Street Theatre Appreciation Week in Allentown. Allentown Councilwoman Candida Affa also said she has many personal connections to Civic and its staff and supporters, even appearing in its annual production of “A Christmas Carol.” “I hope this place goes on forever,” she said, announcing a City Council proclamation recognizing Civic. The program ended with a ceremonial ribbon cutting with Sharon Glassman and DeFebo-Edwards in the center with a giant scissors. To read the article click here.
It was repeated over and over Thursday morning at a ribbon-cutting event celebrating the reopening of Civic Theatre of Allentown — the 90-year-old art deco building on 19th Street is the “crown jewel” of west Allentown.
It certainly has always been that way in spirit, bringing people together in artistic and intellectual pursuits. But in recent decades, the ornate building didn’t look much like a jewel, as time and lack of money took their toll.
A sneak peek inside before Friday’s red carpet reopening with “Billy Elliot the Musical” shows the theater is back to being a crown jewel in every way. Every mural and every molding, as well as the massive dome ceiling, has been restored to its original beauty. The new proscenium is a work of art. Sound-absorbing curtains promise improved acoustics. The 500 new seats are comfortable and clean.
The box office has been renovated and a new patron lounge features as its centerpiece a stunning wood bar. New maroon, taupe and black carpeting throughout the theater re-creates the original.
Behind the scenes, there’s a new air conditioning system and new sound and lighting systems.
It all cost more than $5 million, and a Donor Wall in the lobby honors some of the biggest supporters, including celebrities — Christine Taylor, who once acted at Civic, and Ben Stiller — local companies such as Service Electric, The Morning Call and Air Products — and individual arts lovers such as Tony and JoJo Muir, Ed Baldrige and Lydia Panas and Joan Miller Moran and William J. Fenza.
The patron lounge has been named after Barry and Sharon Glassman, longtime supporters, board members, actors and financial supporters. Sharon left her position as board president to co-chair the $5.5 million capital campaign, which was launched two years ago.
The theater closed in December, with productions staged at Cedar Crest College.
To say the people at the ribbon-cutting were excited about the reopening is an understatement. They gushed; they praised each other. But mostly they honored the crown jewel that brought them all together.
Civic Theatre of Allentown
A view looking from the stage of the restored Civic Theatre of Allentown. (RICK KINTZEL / THE MORNING CALL)
Because it was raining, the ceremony was held across the street at Civic Theatre514, in the auditorium where films and smaller productions are presented.
Greg Butz, co-chairman of the capital campaign and president and CEO of Alvin H. Butz Inc., the project construction manager, kicked things off by welcoming the dignitaries and being the first to praise state Sen. Pat Browne, whose help securing a highly competitive $2 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program matching grant made the restoration project possible.
“We wouldn’t be here having a ribbon-cutting if it weren’t for his role,” Butz said.
“The 19th Street Theatre has been given new life,” proclaimed Civic Board President Maria DeFebo-Edwards, referencing all the players in the project, including 41 companies, Civic staff and board, donors, the neighborhood and the greater Lehigh Valley community.
Frank Facchiano, a board member and executive vice president of member relations for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, called the theater a “rare gem” that has been entertaining generations as the anchor of the West End Theatre District.
Barry Glassman recounted the history of the theater and posed the question of why it has survived when so many others have not.
“It’s not the building that makes this place great, it’s the heart,” he said. “But without the facility the heart can’t beat.”
He said the restoration “guarantees the heart will continue to beat.”
Glassman reminded the crowd that the project is not finished. Half a million dollars remains to be raised to complete Phase 3 — the renovation of the Children’s Theatre School on the second floor. He said the goal of the Donor Wall, in addition to honoring supporters, is to encourage people to continue to give.
Civic Theatre supporters and staff and board cut a ceremonial ribbon Thursday morning to celebrate the re-opening of the theater after a multi-million dollar renovation. (RICK KINTZEL / THE MORNING CALL)
Glassman introduced Browne, who he said “worked so hard to make sure this happened” and “is a friend to all of us in the Lehigh Valley.”
In his speech, Browne reflected on the spirit of Allentonians, who he said are “doers — workhorses, not showhorses,” “humble,” “civic minded,” “deferential and tolerant” and always filled with “enthusiasm.”
He talked about how Allentown was known as a city of theaters, with 15 of them downtown in the 1920s, when the growing West End wanted its own.
Civic became a place that “shaped and gave greater meaning to all of those who entered,” Browne said. It’s a place that takes visitors on a “journey beyond our senses ... it is what best defines who we are. We will always find that … the next time we join together on 19th Street.”
Allentown Mayor Ray O’Connell, who said he and his wife and children and grandchildren attend Civic Theatre productions, proclaimed Oct. 11-18 as 19th Street Theatre Appreciation Week in Allentown.
Allentown Councilwoman Candida Affa also said she has many personal connections to Civic and its staff and supporters, even appearing in its annual production of “A Christmas Carol.”
“I hope this place goes on forever,” she said, announcing a City Council proclamation recognizing Civic.
The program ended with a ceremonial ribbon cutting with Sharon Glassman and DeFebo-Edwards in the center with a giant scissors.
To read the article click here.