Carpenter Theatre

beautiful!

When it was a movie theatre for the Loew's company it seated 2113 people.

Never knew this was a movie theatre. I've only seen live shows there, like Steven Wright back in the eighties. I think Janeane Garofalo played there about a year ago, although I'd long since moved out of town.

Camden

John Eberson was known for some vivid colorations as seen in many of his theatres and as brought out in the piece "Fancy Dress" in the Oct. 1984 issue of INTERIOR DESIGN magazine where a lengthy article and ten color photos of his LOWE'S RICHMOND in Richmond Virginia (now the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts). In the final paragraph of the article, the restoration architect, Fred Cox, is quoted as saying: "During the restoration there were times that we were a little worried we'd end up with something vulgar, especially as we got down to the original layers of paint and discovered what an eccentric colorist Eberson was. But a funny thing happened as we applied the finishing touches to the interior -- it seemed to crystallize, become whole and complete. That was Eberson's vision." As was pointed out in the 1930 book AMERICAN THEATRES OF TODAY, the colors used often had to be far more vivid than normal due to the often subdued lighting coming from amber or rose colored lights. We today are used to much higher light levels, but too high a light level in a restoration can make the colors look garish and destroy the subtle ambience designed by the architect. These palaces were to be 'carriages' to lands of fantasy, after all, not the duplication of a living room.

I have a great article from a 1947 "Saturday Evening Post" that profiles the (then) manager of this theater, I believe his name was George Peters. It contains some nice color photos of the theater, and gives a great window into what running a movie palace was like in those days, all the showmanship and promotion that was once such a huge part of the theater manager's job.

Opened as Loew's Richmond Theatre on 9th April 1928 with the M.G.M. silent film "West Point" starring William Haines and Joan Crawford. The supporting programme consisted of M.G.M. Short Subjects and News, Sid Bart leading the 12 piece Loew's Concert Orchestra and Lloyd Oscar on the mighty 13 Rank Wurlitzer theatre pipe organn.

It closed as a full time movie theatre in May 1979, lay empty until it was purchased by the Richmond Symphony, restored and re-opened as the Carpenter Centre for the Performing Arts on 5th May 1983.

Just before closing, the Wurlitzer organ was removed for 'safekeeping' and donated to the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Another organ (originally in the RKO-Keith Theatre, New York City) was donated to the Carpenter Center and after many years of volunteer work to install it, it made its debut in April 1992. This current Wurlitzer has 24 Ranks, which is much larger than the original 13 Rank installation.

Rendering of what the building will look like after restoration
Blueprint

What an astounding building...great...

Love those atmospheric theatres and especially the ones that have been restored and NOT demolished! Was the former Loew's in Atlanta an atmospheric and am I correct when reading that the Loew's in Richmond does not show movies anymore since it's been changed to a Performing Arts Center?

Loew's Grand in Atlanta is listed here but was NOT an atmospheric. As far as I know, Atlanta's only atmospheric was (and still is) the Fox.

Warren: Thanks as I felt this was the case, but wasn't sure.

Just watched Food Nation with Bobby Flay and he was in Richmond VA. He told us about some great restaurants there, but we know there are 2 great theatres there, too.....thanks to CT.

Was this theatre once called the Virginia Center as I'm trying to find at atmospheric theatre by that name in Virginia?

Always enjoy seeing an Eberson/atmospheric theatre as the featured CT Theatre! Hope to visit Richmond someday and check this one out!

WOW! I cannot wait...this will help me get over the fact that I can't jot down to the Louisville Palace anytime I want to! This sucker's only 90 minutes away...and in terms of Washington DC traffic that's like a trip to the grocery store. I will keep an eye on this one!!!

Basile Baumann Prost & Associates, Inc. (BBP Associates) lists this theater renovation as one of their projects. They are a real estate development advisory firm.

The color photo of this theatre at the top of this link is so beautiful and the folks of Richmond are very fortunate to have this theatre in their midst.

I believe that this theatre's name was simply Loew's, not Loew's Richmond.

Many theatres had a Loew's connection, it seems.

Loew's was a major national circuit, but far from the largest. At maximum, it had between 150 to 200 theatres, mostly in the eastern USA and especially in the vicinity of New York City, where the company originated. In many major cities, it had only one downtown first-run theatre and nothing else. Paramount had at least ten times as many theatres as Loew's...Loew's Theatres, of course, was part of Loew's, Inc., which also owned Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures. This monopoly was eventually ended by the Federal Government, causing Loew's Inc. to split into two completely separate companies with different managements. One was restricted to production-distribution, and the other to exhibition.

Loew's maintained a presence in Canada as well, with theatres in Montreal and Toronto. The Winter Garden and Elgin(Loew's Yonge) theatres in Toronto were Loew's theatres and have the distinction of being rare 'stacked' theatres. The Winter Garden is some seven storeys above the street on top of the Elgin. They were completely restored several years ago and are now under the ownership of the Province of Ontario. I don't believe there are (or were) any Loew's theatres elsewhere in Canada, except possibly Vancouver.

When I was a teenager, my boyfriend took me to the Lowe's Theater in downtown Richmond. It was a beautiful theater. As I descended the staircase from the Mezzanine, I felt like a princess surrounded by plush carpet, dark velvet and gold trimmed drapes. The lovely pinkish, subdued lighting made me feel like a star on the screen. This was in the early 1960's. Remembering the vibrant Wurlitzer played by (I think) Eddie Weaver still brings a smile to my face. What a grand time. I was born and raised in Richmond and moved to the beautiful Shenandoah valley 30 years ago. I attended a performance at the Carpenter Center several years ago and I am so pleased that steps are being made to preserve this beautiful landmark. I remember well going to the S & W Cafeteria just up the street and shopping at The May Company, LaVogue, and Thalhimers. What a great time in my life. Wonderful memories!!!!!

It is sadly inronic that say much of the old retail core of downtown Richmond,the great department store hulks ,are going and gone for this arts center boondogle.Anyone familiar with the horror that is politics in the City of Richmond,knows there is big trouble in Little China.The "Arts Center"has become a political football between several forces.Mayor Wilder,in his patented,butt-headed way has tried to interject sanity into that zoo.The inmates of the zoo are saying "no way Jose".Hopefully the great theater will not be hurt by the over-reaching of some and the infighting by others.

There are pictures here
http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/virginia/richmond/loews/loews.html

The fight just gets uglier.I am quite disturbed by how much of the original theater is suppoed to be demolished.Mayor Doug has thrown a lot of wrenches in the gears,but that may be a good thing.Someone should look at reality.How can so much of a listed property be destroyed?The egos in this fight are so transperent and self serving.The good and honorable mayor may even want some of the city's mis spent $ back.WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!

Article in the Times-Dispatch today shows the current state of the bloody battle.It's going to get a lot uglier.

Often in such cases, it is that the politicians secretly owe a debt to a large campaign contributor, and this land may have been the price of their donation agreed upon years ago. In such cases, nothing shy of a court order will stop them. After all, don't our 'loyal' politicians have to find money to stay in power? So what is a beautiful landmark or two to them? After all, they always have huge egos and think that it is they themselves who are the real 'landmarks'! Woe to the few movie palaces as remain: they are all possible 'freebies' to political hangers-on who give enough under the table.

Brilliant,Jim.

I've just gotten the whole story on the fight to demolish the Carpenter Center. My daughter is ready to chain herself to the building!! I've never been in a more beautiful building than the Carpenter Center, and I've seen some very memorable shows there. It's one of the rarest gems in Richmond. To have someone tear it down would be like taking part of Richmond's soul.. and a piece of everyone that's ever been inside those beautiful doors. I will truly be crushed on the day the Carpenter Center gets torn down.

The saga continues.Today's Times-Dispatch has another fine article on the war over the Carpenter Center.This soap opera continues to descend into the depths of stupidity that has surprised even me,a total cynic.I had thought cooler heads would have risen to the top by now,but no,everyone in the loop are keeping the loop below the surface of the sewage lagoon,probably the big one right across the James from downtown-the one East of I-95.

Grat array of color photos of the Carpenter Center AKA Loew's Theatre.
http://www.agilitynut.com/p/carpc404.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/p/carpc2404.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/p/carpc4404.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/p/carpc3404.jpg

For those of us who are not in the know: what is the whole story? This sounds horrible. How the situation go from a two year renovation to large-scale demolition?

Life's too short: What's the latest with this Eberson/atmospheric theatre in Richmond VA? I agree.....how does the situation go from a 2 year renovation to a large scale demolition in what seems, overnight? Someone needs to sit down with the Mayor of Richmond!

ghamilton: Can the Times-Dispatch article be posted here? What is going on with this theatre which is an Eberson atmospheric!!!!!

Chuck1231: Thanks for posting the 'agilitynut' photos this past September. This theatre certainly has a beautiful facade and is worth saving!

What a travesty if this magnificent theatre was demolished. A list of the name of all those who are involved to do this foul deed should be publicized and letters of protest sent to them.

THE PLOT THICKENS!!!Today's Times-Dispatch has a lovely picture of the great house with the headline and story indicating that the city may "seize" the place and reopen it pronto w/o extensive "renovations".Quotes from the usual suspects.

Good article today in the local cage liner on the current condition of the theater and the problems with it.

Work on Richmond Performing Arts Center Halted by City
By Emily Quinn
15 Aug 2005


The city of Richmond, Virginia, has ordered that work stop on its new performing-arts center, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.

City officials say that the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation, the organization behind the center, has failed to get the necessary inspections required by state building codes, and that construction cannot continue until the permits are reapproved by the city.

In addition, city officials are concerned that the foundation doesn’t have enough funds to finish demolition of part of the Carpenter Center, and that interrupting the work could endanger the remainder of the historic theater. Bill Farrar, city spokesman, said that although the foundation claims to have renewed its demolition permit, the city did not agree to such an extension.

Brad Armstrong, president of the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation, said that there is enough money, between the foundation’s currently raised funds and pledged funds, to cover the current demolition costs, including steps to protect the Carpenter Center.

This is not the first time the foundation and the city have disagreed over the project. Last April, the foundation revealed it would not make its fundraising deadline and asked the city to waive the deadline entirely. The city did, but in July, mayor L. Douglas Wilder said he would not release any more city funds for the project, which needed, in his estimation, to be scaled back.

The new center is intended to be a home for the Richmond Symphony and other groups.

Is The Carpenter Center A Health Hazard?
Nov 11, 2005, 02:48 AM CST
http://www.wtvr.com/Global/story.asp?S=4104787


Richmond's Carpenter Center could be hazardous to your health. That's according to the city's building inspector who found more than 30 safety violations in the historic theater. The Carpenter Center closed last year for renovations. Most of the problems surround the plumbing, electrical wiring and ventilation systems. The Virginia Performing Arts Foundation owns the center and some members are questioning the timing of this report calling it "harassment." Last week the city went public with its plans to possibly buy the center from the foundation and opening it open back up to performances. The mayor says the arts foundation should not get special treatment and must follow the city's building codes just like everyone else. The city is giving the foundation about a month to bring the building up to code. The arts foundation plans to appeal the city's findings.

Theater closing for an upgrade
Foundation's gift gives Carpenter Center project more than enough money

BY WILL JONES
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Dec 23, 2004


The Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts is closing for renovations with more money to pay for them.


The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation has given $1.125 million to fulfill a $2 million pledge for the historic theater, said Joel Katz, executive director of the Carpenter Center.

The Carpenter Foundation, based in Philadelphia, quietly agreed to the amount five years ago if an additional $6.5 million could be raised for improvements, Katz said.

Officials now have more than enough money to pay for the estimated $25 million project, which is a cornerstone to a planned performing arts center in downtown Richmond.

"We're delighted the Carpenter Foundation recognizes the success of our fund-raising drive and has transmitted the prescribed amount," Katz said before a reception last night marking the closing of the theater.

The $2 million total includes the $1.125 million sent by check this month and a $375,000 loan that won't have to be repaid, Katz said. The Carpenter Foundation set up the loan in 1988 to put the theater on better financial footing, he said.

By forgiving the loan, "they have confirmed to the community that this is a successful, well-run organization," he said.

The gift also includes $500,000 given two years ago to the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation, which is leading efforts to build the downtown arts center.

A representative of the Carpenter Foundation could not be reached.

The Carpenter Center, at Sixth and East Grace streets, opened in 1928 as the Richmond Loew's movie palace and closed in 1979. It reopened as a performing arts theater in 1983 and was given its current name two years later in honor of a $1.5 million gift from the Carpenter Foundation.

The theater, a state and national historic landmark, is expected to be closed about two years. Plans call for expanding and modernizing the lobby, as well as building a stage house big enough to accommodate Broadway shows. Demolition of the current stage house is expected to begin in January or February, Katz said.

While the Carpenter Center is closed, most of its regular events and users are shifting to the Landmark Theater, which is scheduled for improvements in a second-phase of construction for the downtown arts center.


Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or wjones@timesdispatch.com

Inspection says Carpenter Center is a fire hazard
Member of arts board calls the 32 violations 'harassment by Wilder'

BY DAVID RESS AND WILL JONES
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITERS Nov 10, 2005


MORE SLIDESHOWS
Check our photos
of some of Richmond's historic buildings.

RELATED: Richmond's Downtown Performing-Arts Center

The Carpenter Center is a fire hazard, with sewer gas leaking inside and more violations of the state's electrical-safety code than city inspectors could count in a two-hour examination this week.

Following the inspection, city officials issued 32 specific violations of state building and safety standards to the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation, which owns the historic theater.

"These are serious problems," Building Commissioner Claude G. Cooper said. "There is a risk to safety; there is a fire risk with combustibles piled up and an electrical system in that condition."

The foundation, in a battle with Mayor L. Douglas Wilder over its plans to build a $112 million performing-arts center with an expanded Carpenter Center, said it will appeal the inspection report. Wilder has said the group's plans are unrealistic and that the city would put no more money into its project.

The city has given the foundation until Dec. 7 to fix the problems or face action by the city. Usually, that means going to court to seek an order requiring a property owner to make repairs.

After completing the inspection Monday, city officials refused to say anything about what they found except that the building was not so dangerous that the city had to ban people from going inside. The center has been closed to the public since December.

"We do property maintenance inspections all day, every day throughout the city," Cooper said, noting that recent visits to the Miller & Rhoads building downtown and Stuart Court apartments resulted in owners undertaking needed repairs.

Martin Rust, former president of the Carpenter Center and now a member of the arts foundation board, said Carpenter Center board members were never made aware of "one single building code or safety violation" at the theater.

"Clearly this is harassment by Wilder," Rust said. "Thirty-two violations is amazing. I'm not sure what they're trying to accomplish. Are they trying to show it's in good shape or bad shape?"

Joel Katz, former executive director of the Carpenter Center and now a critic of the arts foundation, said some of the problems cited by inspectors are longstanding deficiencies. For example, he said, a lot of electrical cords were used because the system was so limited.

Other problems, Katz said, evidently cropped up after the theater was closed. Inspectors cited combustible trash and debris in exit corridors, on steps and near boilers. Katz recalled those areas being clear in December when the Carpenter Center was closed and transferred to the arts foundation.

In addition to problems with fire protection, electrical wiring and plumbing, the notices listed faults with heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, although the foundation has said it dismantled those systems this year.

The inspection seems likely to raise the temperature still more in the downtown arts-center scrap, which has pitted Wilder against powerful business leaders who have backed the project.

"You've got a fire trap at one end of the block and a hole at the other," said Paul Goldman, Wilder's senior policy adviser, referring to the excavation for the new music hall the foundation hopes to build next to the Carpenter Center.

"Obviously the Carpenter Center has been allowed to deteriorate," Goldman said. "It's like, if you don't do it our way, we've set it up so you can't do it any other way."

Wilder has proposed that the foundation abandon the new music hall and focus only on renovating and expanding the Carpenter Center.

Goldman, meanwhile, has proposed that the city simply take over the Carpenter Center, make some minor repairs and reopen it without an expansion next year.

Arts groups have rejected the idea. Even though the cash-strapped city would have to pay for the building in order to take it over, and even though the theater's value, as assessed by the city itself, is more than $6.6 million, Goldman said his option is still on the table.

"Look at Coop's report -- do you really think that building is worth $6.6 million?" he said, using the building commissioner's nickname.

But some council members say Wilder needs to lighten up and let the foundation try to get its project back on track, dismissing Goldman's proposal as ill-considered and costly.

"I'd like to know where the money is going to come from," said council President G. Manoli Loupassi. "That's why the private sector was involved to raise the money. If we just let them try to raise the money, they can raise the money."


Contact David Ress at (804) 649-6051 or dress@timesdispatch.com
Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or wjones@timesdispatch.com

2005 Richmonder Of The Year
Jan 10, 2006, 03:44 AM CST Email to a Friend Printer Friendly Version

Mayor Doug Wilder



Style Weekly selects its "Richmonder of the Year" for 2005. Mayor Doug Wilder. Style Weekly says at 74, Mayor Doug Wilder is still going strong and that he's been a dominating force when it comes to the way Richmond spends its money, including the fight to build a multi-million dollar Performing Arts Center downtown. The project crumbled under pressure from Wilder's public criticism. Now arts groups are working with the mayor to fix the aging Carpenter Center and plans to build a new ballpark in Shockoe Bottom never made it to first base. "We have made Richmond government more accountable and more responsible...few months ago people were calling me the 'Oger,'...the bad guy because I dare to even question," says Wilder. Read more about 2005's Richmonder of the Year in this week's issue of Style Weekly. It hits newsstands Wednesday

Performing Arts Center Plans Put on Hold
Email to a Friend Printer Friendly Version



For months Mayor Doug Wilder has been battling the plan for a new Performing Arts Center along Broad Street. He's raised concerns over public funding for the project and how planners are spending the money raised. On Wednesday the group backing the plan changed their vision for the project. The CEO and leader of the Performing Arts Foundation, Brad Armstrong, announced plans to step down from his position. He also said the entire organization is scaling back. The group said it will re-focus it's efforts on a $43 million renovation and expansion project of the Carpenter Center. The foundation say it still plans to build the multi-million dollar facility at some point in the future. Armstrong said because of the controversy between the group and the Richmond Mayor, he will no longer depend on city funds. Armstrong's resignation takes effect December 31st. Two years ago, Richmond City Council agreed to pass a meals tax referendum, meaning food and drink bought in the city have an added tax and that money would go to building the Performing Arts Center. Does that go away? Not yet. That money was to pay for pre-construction costs for the new downtown Performing Arts Center. Using credit, the city paid the foundation more than seven million dollars for those costs but the meals tax hasn't raised all that money back yet. So until the city can repay itself for the money it already spent, the higher meals tax will stay on the books and city spokesman Bill Farrar says that could take at least a year, maybe longer. Things could get even more complicated because the Performing Arts Foundation claims the city still owes it an additional four million dollars and change. If that's true, your Richmond restaurant bills may stay higher until the city can repay its final bill to the Foundation.

Looks good for the old girl now.Today's Times-Dispatch outlines the "final"plans.45 Million in a massive refurbishing and expansion.

Please click into the website at the top. Apperently there has been very much progress since the last entry here on May 6, 2006.

This is an interior view of the Loew's Theater.

GREAT picture on front page of today's Times-Dispatch,of interior work.Article on the project is in sec.B.

This is a recent view of the Carpenter Center.

Here is another recent photo. The marquee reads "Richmond CenterStage". The website for this theater also gives the name as Richmond CenterStage. Is that the official name of this theater?

Reviewing website, looks like historic theater is called Carpenter Theatre. We will know better when it reopens.

Thanks Howard. Maybe the name above should be shortened to "Carpenter Theatre".

I'd suggest that when it reopens, name & Intro adjustments can be made at once when all is clear. I do like Carpenter Theatre rather than the longer name. I'm tired of "centers."

HowardBHaas: Me, too!

So? Wassup?

Stopped by the Carpenter yesterday--lots of constuction activity going on. The marquee has been removed, and the new stagehouse has been completed (at least from the outside). The storefronts are all bricked up.

This is the nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places.

1968 photo of the Loew's Richmond.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c46%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=11&catpagesize=10&ProductID=34867

1987 photo of the Carpenter Center.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c46%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=10&ProductID=34870

Here is a photo from 1985.

Richmond CenterStage complex nearing completion

By Jeremy Slayton
Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: July 26, 2009
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/STAG26_20090725-222605/282237/

Much has changed since the Carpenter Theatre opened 81 years ago in downtown Richmond, but with each step under the new high-tech marquee into the theater's rotunda, it's like being transported back in time.

Despite the multitude of technological advances -- from fiber-optic lighting and air-conditioning vents along the floor in the theater to the state-of-the-art marquee -- the structure and feel of the theater are that of 1928 and even further back in time.

Visitors who walk through the rotunda, with its original multicolored tiled floor, are ushered into a theater that has the feel of a medieval Mediterranean castle. A courtyard-like auditorium adds to the fantasy of being entertained in a long-ago era.

At the Carpenter Theatre, being restored as part of the new Richmond CenterStage performing-arts center, crews went to "great lengths to bring it back to its original form . . . with all the amenities and comforts of the 21st century," said Jay Smith, spokesman for Richmond CenterStage.

Specialists went so far as to match the original paint schemes -- from the intricate, ornate features to the textured walls with multiple layers of different color paints -- in their efforts to preserve John Eberson's original theater design for what started out as the Loew's Richmond Theatre.

Through that painstaking process of restoring the structure, architect Bruce Herrmann of Wilson Butler Architects in Boston had access to original drawings and photos, including some from Richmond Times-Dispatch archives. He said to find the exact paint colors, it was treated like a mini archaeological dig -- scraping through layers of paint and plaster to find about 40 original colors to reapply to the walls.

With the help of EverGreene Architectural Arts, a New York-based company that specializes in historic preservation of architectural arts, studies were done on the walls' paint inside the Carpenter Theatre to put together a palette that represented the intent of the original painters and architect.

"Over the course of 80 years, the building had been painted a number of times. Some of these [original colors] were buried under new versions of paint," Herrmann said. "Some people are going to be surprised because it's not going to be exactly what they remember from 10 years ago or even their childhood."

The extensive effort paid off in what will be a dominant performing-arts presence that occupies a city block.

After eight years, the $73.5 million project on Grace Street between Sixth and Seventh streets is nearing completion. Estimates in 2007 put the project's cost at $65 million; the city is contributing $25 million to CenterStage through former Mayor L. Douglas Wilder's City of the Future program to reinvest in public facilities.

Private donors as well as state and federal governments are also funding the project, which was announced in early 2001 and scaled back at the insistence of Wilder in 2005.

"Our board is very pleased with the progress that is being made; now everything is taking shape inside the Carpenter Center," said James E. Ukrop, chairman of the board for the CenterStage Foundation. "It just looks better and better every day. From what I've seen and what others have seen, it's everything we hoped it would be. It's a performing-arts center that Richmond deserves."

. . .

Smith said construction will be complete by CenterStage's grand opening at 8 p.m. Sept. 12, though workers last week were on scaffolds finishing projects along the theater's stage and red-tape-blocked areas in the lobby.

The opening performances will feature the nine resident performing groups -- African American Repertory Theatre, Elegba Folklore Society, Richmond Ballet, Richmond Jazz Society, Richmond Shakespeare, Richmond Symphony, School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community, Theatre IV/Barksdale and the Virginia Opera.

"It's the first time all nine are performing together," Smith said.

Walking into the theater's spacious auditorium gives patrons a feeling of being outside. Lights in the ceiling mimic stars in the sky; enhanced technology allows for changes in intensity, giving off a twinkling-star effect. A cloud projector adds to the ambience of sitting outside in a courtyard watching a performance.

Even the architecture along the walls adds to the appearance of being outdoors. Ivy roams among the arched balconies and balustrades along the theater's walls, as if facades of buildings in ancient Rome encircle the auditorium seating. Additional lighting behind the facade can be used to replicate the sunset when patrons first arrive.

"It's all part of that illusion of being in this place where you're in this environment that you've escaped from whatever is outside; in the theater world, it's called the temporary suspension of disbelief," Herrmann said. "We're trying extend as much as we can."

Major effort was put into making the viewing experience for patrons comfortable. The historic theater had about 2,000 seats when it closed in late 2004. Even though overall seating has decreased, a capacity of 1,800 remains. Space between rows has grown, and plush, wider seats with taller backs provide comfort.

While patrons are treated to a more comfortable experience, so are the performers. Dressing rooms were increased from 10 to 20 and can accommodate up to 200 performers. The stage is 45 feet deep, allowing for more than 100 types and depths of scenery, Smith said.

With opening day less than two months away, great care is being taken to protect the completed work. Tarps cover the seats in the theater, while strips of carpet, boards and wood protect the floor.

Former retail space that fronted Grace Street is part of the theater's lobby, not only to provide more space for concessions and the flow of traffic but also to be more inviting for the public.

"The goal is . . . the show begins at the sidewalk; we want people driving by to realize there is something going on at the Carpenter and raise their curiosity level," Herrmann said. "It's all part of the tease to draw you in and, hopefully, bring the life back to this corner."

CenterStage complex provides several venues

By Staff Reports
Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: July 26, 2009

Carpenter Theatre
Dorothy Pauley Square
The Richmond CenterStage complex in downtown Richmond is a mixture of old and modern architectural styles.

On one side, there is the historic Carpenter Theatre, built in 1928 in a Spanish Mediterranean style. On the other is Dorothy Pauley Square, which incorporates the modern, mid-20th-century design of the former Thalhimers department store.

It was a purposeful decision to keep the architectural styles of the two buildings distinct and maintain the Thalhimers building because of its historical meaning to the Richmond community, said architect Bruce Herrmann of the Boston-based architecture firm Wilson Butler Architects.

"It was an interesting conversion from what was an old department store into a performing-arts facility," Herrmann said. "We've got a number of venues in there. Hopefully, it's going to bring a lot of life and excitement back to this part of town." Showcase Gallery: This venue on the first level of Dorothy Pauley Square offers 1,500 square feet of gallery space for display of the visual arts. The Showcase Gallery features large windows facing Grace and Seventh streets so passers-by can see the displays from the street and be drawn into the gallery. This venue can also be used in conjunction with such local arts events as First Fridays.

Rhythm Hall: This multipurpose venue is adjacent to the Showcase Gallery. Rhythm Hall offers a variety of room configurations -- from wide-open space to 150 seats. It is available for corporate use and offers a full catering kitchen. The room's versatility lends itself to anything from a dance floor to a comedy club to a musical concert venue. Retractable glass partitions separate Rhythm Hall from Showcase Gallery. Gottwald Playhouse: An intimate performance venue with a capacity to seat up to 200 people, the playhouse features a stage in the center of the floor that can be raised or lowered depending on the type of performance. The state-of-the-art seating is also adjustable based on preference -- flat on the floor or tiered. Genworth BrightLights Education Center: Education is the highlight in this 8,900-square-foot venue on the third floor of Dorothy Pauley Square. It features a large space for a classroom or rehearsal space; there is also space for three other classrooms, two of which are connected with a retractable wall to form a larger classroom. Included in the venue is the Digital Arts Learning Center -- equipped for students to learn how to create podcasts, live-streaming programs and other multimedia content that can be used by teachers and students across the region.

Students will be able to use arts education to improve academic performance in other subject areas, says Jay Smith, spokesman for Richmond CenterStage. "It's not just about bringing kids here . . . but taking arts education into the community, into the schools," he said.

-- Jeremy Slayton

I'm confused because it seems as if Thalhimers was demolished!
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Thalhimers%20richmond&w=all

Does anyone have recent photos of the new marquee? I was surprised to see Chuck 1231's link above to that 1968 American Classic Images photo which shows the original marquee and vertical still 100% intact at that late date. Yet, at some point, they were sacrificed for a product of the Let's See How Boring We Can Make It school of marquee design sometime between then and the 1980s. I'll venture a guess the original signage vanished during the aesthetically depraved 1970s, when if it wasn't made of weathered wood and rusty nails, it was banished. And plain plastic was the fallback when no design whatsoever was asked for.

Thalhimers originally took up 3/4 of the block. The 2/4 that fronted Broad Street was demolished. The remaining 1/4 at Seventh and Grace is what now houses the smaller venues and CenterStage/Symphony offices along with dressing rooms and support areas for the Carpenter Theatre.

The original wrap around corner marquee has been replicated and will have an extensive LED matrix display. The zipper marquee that originally ran vertically alongside the facade of the building has not been replicated.

I'm a little concerned. Compared to the photo at the top of this page, the photo at the Carpenter's website makes the paint in the auditorium look pretty bland. Hopefully it's just the lighting or something.

Here's a picture of the marquee along with 3 other Carpenter Theatre photos that were taken 8/24/09.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h147/imscratchy/CIMG2523.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h147/imscratchy/CIMG2505.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h147/imscratchy/CIMG2475.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h147/imscratchy/CIMG2456.jpg

Video: Behind the Scenes at CenterStage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBsNN8lY6ao

The Curtain (Finally) Rises
http://www.styleweekly.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=11AA44451B2B4EFFA9DEE92292D88F17&AudID=AE6FBAD9A9574D429566425E856C8C66

What a gorgeous-looking theatre--it looks just like old times!

Congratulations on the curtain rising, once again, at the Eberson designed atmospheric Carpenter Theatre of Richmond VA. It's music to my ears!

A slide show from the Richmond Times Dispatch
http://static.mgnetwork.com/rtd/slideshows/20090830_stag/index.html

For the Grand Opening (9/12/20090, Byrd Organist Bob Gulledge will be playing the Wurlitzer Organ. The organ has been reinstalled and the console will be on a traveling table and tucked away in a garage
back stage.

The slide show was fantastic and I only wish I lived near Richmond to attend the Grand Opening on the 12th. If anyone is in the Richmond area, go and tell us all about it!

Here's the Carpenter Theatre's marquee in action on the eve of the invitational dress rehearsal (two days prior to the Grand Opening).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6CXpmbdbGQ

Here's a more recent video tour of the Carpenter Theatre.
http://www.wtvr.com/wtvr-center-stage,0,1714979.story

Man, you just gotta love those cheesy looking clouds they put up. I know they are there to improve accoustics, and that they certainly coulo've put up something truly lousy looking, but things like that always just make a place look cheap no matter how they try.

I have to agree with you on the clouds. They look a little too cartoonish to me. The acoustics are remarkable though.

A little more footage of the interior.
http://www.nbc12.com/global/story.asp?s=11115371
and
http://www.wric.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4120885&h1=Richmond%20CenterStage%20Prepares%20For%20Grand%20Opening&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=81167&LaunchPageAdTag=Homepage&activePane=info&rnd=78826111

The Carpenter Theatre (Loew's) finally re-opened, following 4 or 5 years of renovation, on September 12, 2009. The renovation is as extensive and beautiful as any I've ever seen of a John Eberson theater. Every corner and crack has been renewed. He'd be proud.

On previous occasions we saw a Doris Day movie here in 1962 and Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly about 15 years ago. On both occasions the theatre was beautiful, stunning, but shabby. No trace of shabby any more. We wasted no time on a return visit, travelling 90 miles and seeing the Oak Ridge Boys on Sept 19th. The show was too-loud-to-a-fault, but blame the Boys for poor judgement, not the theater.

The Carpenter has a solid schedule of attractions through Spring of 2010; so cut the gab, SIGN OFF, and BUY A TICKET. Talk is fine, but the idea of restoration is to have beautiful Cinema Treasures to ATTEND, not just yack about.

I sure would have enjoyed opening night at the Eberson Carpenter. I know some folks who were in nearby Williamsburg that weekend, but I wasn't able to tell them about the opening and they might have enjoyed it during their visit to that area.