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Beacon Theatre reopens after $16 million restoration
posted by
HowardBHaas
on
February 16, 2009 at 3:41 pm
NEW YORK, NY — New York’s Beacon Theatre reopened after a $16 million restoration.
It had long been thought that a sparkly, 10-inch-wide, cut-crystal ball — the principal ornament at the tip of the 900-pound chandelier in the rotunda of the former movie palace — was attached with a sturdy bronze fixture.
But when the chandelier was lowered to be cleaned, rewired and repaired, the real support for the crystal orb was revealed: a vintage 6-inch-tall coffee tin.
Read more in the New York Times.
Comments (5)
I must give credit, cablevision did a fabulous job renovating. I wonder if they might someday have movie premieres here like they do at the Zig, since this is over twice the size. It could really be a red carpet premiere here.
YOU GOTTA TAKE A LOOK AT THIS, in case you missed it! This is really a great 360 degree CINERAMA photo of the Beacon. Move the cursor around and the photo will move from the ceiling to the floor.
Are photos like this available for any other theaters?
View link
What about the organ and projection booth? Around 20 years ago, they could still run 35mm from the original booth, and the organ was still under the stage.
I forgot to mention in my 6:05am post to click on FULL SCREEN… WOW!
Bob in answer to the question on the “Mighty Wurlitzer”. According to the secratery of the NYTOS who I just spoke to a few weeks ago the organ is still alive and well. The only bad new is that Melvin Robinson the man who used to maitain it passed away2-3 years ago. I am sure there is someone else maintaining it now. Mel worked on many of the Theate Organs in NYC and surrounding areas.
Now while I am here I would like a clarification on something. The NY Times says the restoration cost $16 Million but when you go to Beacon home page it says $15 Million. Who is correct?