I erred in noting that WurliTzer Opus #1419 was installed in the 125th Street Apollo theatre. It was actually installed in a different Apollo theatre at 126 Clinton Street, NYC. There is likewise no information on the status of this theatre that I can find.
Oops. Forgot to mention that there doesn’t appear to be any movie projection equipment in the booth, nor any mention to what extent (if any) films/cinema are anticipated to be featured at the Hippodrome.
Although I have been unable to see a production yet at the reopened Hippodrome, I did take the “Community Day” tour on Feb. 21. While the restoration certainly dazzles one’s eyes. I have to say that it also assaults them due to the imposition of various technical staging and production apparatus which are a disappointing distraction. Chief among these irritants is the apalling rape of the proscenium mural caused by its perforation by numerous large diameter holes apparently made necessary by the demands of modern day production lighting and sound systems that require huge trestles to support the heavy and ambience-ruining equipment. (Note the white “spots” on the top photo at View link Those are actually holes, not spots, and that doesn’t even show all of them. Also note the photos at View link and View link In these views the holes appear as hideous dark spots.) I can only hope that this particular “feature” is, as of now unfinshed, and that a more sensitive treatment to reduce the visual impact of this badly executed necessity will be forthcoming. To trumpet the heroic efforts that were necessary to restore this mural and then to subject it to this humiliating treatment is unforgivable.
Almost as bothersome are the numerous other speakers and light battens that degrade the visual experience in virtually every direction one looks. While I’m sure it is a superior state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, one that will enhance the productions and make them all the more enjoyable when the lights go down, I just have to think that there must have been more creative and subtle engineering ways to accomplish these goals than what is now evident.
One more thing that bothered me about Community Day was the heavy commercialism of the entire event. The Hippodrome itself is being forced to take second billing to the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, the M&T Bank Pavilion and the Toyota in the lobby. While I recognize that the rebirth of the Hippodrome could not have taken place without the generous contributions of these organizations, I resent the “product placement” merchandizing that forces itself upon my consciousness.
This theatre once contained WurliTzer theatre organ Opus #1419, installed in 1926 and removed c. 196?. Most of this organ has been preserved and it is hoped will eventually be installed into Baltimore’s Parkway Theatre. (See www.parkwaytheatre.com))
Activity is beginning to start on Baltimore’s exqusite 1915 Parkway Theatre. Please visit http://www.parkwaytheatre.com to learn the latest and help us find the resources that will be needed to accomplish this restoration. Thanks!
(BTW, the Parkway’s architect was Oliver B. Wight [correct spelling])
I erred in noting that WurliTzer Opus #1419 was installed in the 125th Street Apollo theatre. It was actually installed in a different Apollo theatre at 126 Clinton Street, NYC. There is likewise no information on the status of this theatre that I can find.
Oops. Forgot to mention that there doesn’t appear to be any movie projection equipment in the booth, nor any mention to what extent (if any) films/cinema are anticipated to be featured at the Hippodrome.
Although I have been unable to see a production yet at the reopened Hippodrome, I did take the “Community Day” tour on Feb. 21. While the restoration certainly dazzles one’s eyes. I have to say that it also assaults them due to the imposition of various technical staging and production apparatus which are a disappointing distraction. Chief among these irritants is the apalling rape of the proscenium mural caused by its perforation by numerous large diameter holes apparently made necessary by the demands of modern day production lighting and sound systems that require huge trestles to support the heavy and ambience-ruining equipment. (Note the white “spots” on the top photo at View link Those are actually holes, not spots, and that doesn’t even show all of them. Also note the photos at View link and View link In these views the holes appear as hideous dark spots.) I can only hope that this particular “feature” is, as of now unfinshed, and that a more sensitive treatment to reduce the visual impact of this badly executed necessity will be forthcoming. To trumpet the heroic efforts that were necessary to restore this mural and then to subject it to this humiliating treatment is unforgivable.
Almost as bothersome are the numerous other speakers and light battens that degrade the visual experience in virtually every direction one looks. While I’m sure it is a superior state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, one that will enhance the productions and make them all the more enjoyable when the lights go down, I just have to think that there must have been more creative and subtle engineering ways to accomplish these goals than what is now evident.
One more thing that bothered me about Community Day was the heavy commercialism of the entire event. The Hippodrome itself is being forced to take second billing to the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, the M&T Bank Pavilion and the Toyota in the lobby. While I recognize that the rebirth of the Hippodrome could not have taken place without the generous contributions of these organizations, I resent the “product placement” merchandizing that forces itself upon my consciousness.
I believe the Mayfair with its collapsed roof may be beyond saving, but the Parkway is a different story. Please see www.parkwaytheatre.com
This theatre once contained WurliTzer theatre organ Opus #1419, installed in 1926 and removed c. 196?. Most of this organ has been preserved and it is hoped will eventually be installed into Baltimore’s Parkway Theatre. (See www.parkwaytheatre.com))
Activity is beginning to start on Baltimore’s exqusite 1915 Parkway Theatre. Please visit http://www.parkwaytheatre.com to learn the latest and help us find the resources that will be needed to accomplish this restoration. Thanks!
(BTW, the Parkway’s architect was Oliver B. Wight [correct spelling])