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Posted Mar 6, 2008, 2:41 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Downtown Los Angeles
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Downtown - Salt Lake City's Capitol Theatre Begins Expansion and Renovation
citydata.com
by T-Mac
Capitol Theatre
The Capitol Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City was completed in 1913 and began as the Orpheum Theatre, housing up to 2,000 seats. Capitalization of the project came from the Walker Estate in Salt Lake City. G. Albert Lansburgh, a 36-year-old San Francisco architect, designed the building, whose structure was significant for introducing innovative architectural features in theatre construction. Vaudeville took center stage in the theatre, and movies provided a sideline. The theatre was sold in 1927 to Louis Marcus, a much respected mayor of Salt Lake City and Utah movie pioneer, and when the theatre raised its curtain on September 29, 1927, it had a new name. The Orpheum was now the Capitol Theatre. The "all-talking" picture was introduced to the Capitol Theatre in 1929 and, after another facelift in 1947, movies continued to be the main attraction.
In December 1975, Salt Lake County residents passed an $8.6 million bond to renovate the Capitol Theatre into a performing arts center as part of the Bicentennial Celebration. On October 18, 1978, the curtain at the Capitol Theatre rose again, ushering in a new era of performing arts in Salt Lake City. Since its re-opening, the Capitol Theatre has continued the tradition of exceptional theatre, dance, opera and music. Today, Ballet West and the Utah Opera Company call the theatre home.
ballet west
public art
Salt Lake City has many cultural draws which give it a strong hand when competing to attract major business along the Wasatch Front. One of Salt Lake's Ace's would be it's spectacular Capitol Theatre and World renowned Ballet Company. Recently, much work has been set in motion to help Ballet West maintain it's prestigious status.
Ballet West to put studio downtown
By Leigh Dethman
Deseret Morning News
Ballet West's school and rehearsal space will be moving downtown.
The Salt Lake County Council recently approved a $3.6 million contract to buy land adjacent to the Capitol Theatre, at 52 W. 200 South, with the aim of building a studio for Ballet West. The company had also been considering land in Sugar House on Wilmington Avenue (at about 2200 South and 1250 East) for building offices, studios, costume storage and a warehouse. But now, Ballet West dancers will be able to practice right next to the theater where they perform.
"The ballet's home should be downtown," said Phil Jordan, the county's director of the Center for the Arts.
With the addition of the new studio, the county will also renovate the Capitol Theatre.
The county plans to improve theater seating and sight lines and to expand the lobby and restrooms, Jordan said. The theater also needs some work to make it more accessible for disabled patrons.
Jordan anticipates construction on the studio to begin in about a year. Renovation of the Capitol Theatre, however, will take longer, since "the show must go on," Jordan said. Construction work will move slowly to accommodate the theater's performance schedule.
As part of the deal, the county will own two vacant restaurants on 200 South and also the building housing Benihana and the Blue Iguana. Both eateries would remain open after construction, however, with the county serving as landlord.
But county leaders don't want to be in the restaurant business, and will likely sell the Benihana and Blue Iguana property to another buyer to pay off part of the land purchase, said Darrin Casper, the county's chief financial officer.
The County Council's decision Tuesday could be the first step toward a downtown cultural arts district, several council members said. The idea is gaining momentum among local leaders, who paid for a study in which consultants said that downtown could support more arts venues with more frequent performances.
"This is going to be a wonderful addition to the county and downtown Salt Lake," Councilwoman Jenny Wilson said of the new home for Ballet West and the Capitol Theatre renovation.
Ballet West first approached the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency six years ago about the 2.1-acre site in Sugar House. Since then, the ballet company had been raising money and lining up plans for 120,000 square feet of building on the site.
The company raised $12 million in a capital campaign and needs about $8 million more. Donors who committed to the Sugar House site were happy to switch money over to a general campaign that may eventually include the downtown site, Dalton said.
The Capitol Theatre site would not have as much space as Sugar House, but Ballet West would not have to move and could contribute to an eventual arts and cultural district downtown, said Jessica Dalton, a Ballet West spokeswoman.
The city's RDA is considering chipping in some funding for the Ballet West project, but not for the land purchase, said Dave Oka, the city's RDA director. The board will likely discuss the issue at it's next meeting.
ballet west
About Ballet West
Ballet West ranks among the top premier professional ballet companies in North America. With 35 dancers, the company strives to bring new levels of excellence to ballet through innovative choreography, and to present balanced programs that represent a wide range of ballet styles and viewpoints
Ballet West, The Nutcracker
Music by P.I. Tchaikovsky
Choreography by Willam FChristensen
Ballet West, The Sleeping Beauty
Music by P.I. Tchaikovsky
Choreography by Marius Petipa
A commemoration of true love, this timeless classic comes alive on the Capitol Theatre stage. Let the artists of Ballet West take you through the enduring story of a sleeping princess, a handsome prince, and the triumph of good over evil. Brought to life in the artistry of the Ballet West dancers and set to Tchaikovsky’s stirring score, this performance will add a touch of romance to your Valentine’s season.
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