I got inside again today!! I had a group of tourists from Ireland and just as I was giving my “the oldest movie palace still standing” spiel, the gates of the theatre opened and we were able to go inside. The lobby is still undergoing renovations – still laying new tile and the ceiling still needs a few touch ups, but the auditorium appears to be finished for the time being. The main floor has new carpet and the lighting is perfect to accentuate the newly painted walls. They’ve also hung red drapes on the side walls of the auditorium to add a new layer to the space without spending a boatload of cash. All traces of that dammed church have been wiped clean of the interior, and the theatre is ready for a new phase in it’s history. I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised with how this renovation job has come off. I know several people were a bit apprehensive with the news that the theatre was going to have major work done, but I feel that the management has a good clear vision, and all is well.
About 6 or 7 years ago I sweet talked one of the shop owners to let me explore the building. I was able to walk up the left staircase up to a second level lobby area. Their are two staircases on either side of the lobby, and at the second level I saw some fantastic Art Deco neo-classical pillars with a very stylized modern Ionic capitols. I got into the men’s room, but the smell was bad, and the shop owner said it was time to leave. As We made out way back down the stairs, I saw a white double door that I assume lead into the Auditorium. I’ve only seen two photos of the interiors, but they showed a very handsome restrained Deco design.
I talked my way into the auditorium this week. I’ve been in many times with the Conservancy but this time I was able to do some exploring. It seems that the lower lever boxes are still intact, or at least their outlines…. The stage is a lot larger then people think it to be – I was able to climb over some boxes to find the original dressing rooms staircase leading underneath the stage. It looks like the original light board is in place and some 1920’s era atmospheric lights are above the stage hanging from the grid. The fly loft is a good size and could be easily re-tooled for future usage for live theatre. This Theatre would be the PERFECT mid size venue – between 700 and 900 seats. The rake of the auditorium floor is rather steep, but that makes fantastic sight lines. I wish that the owners knew how much potential this theatre has…. Hell, I with I had unlimited funds and the deed to the building… I’ve been saying this for years! If only………..
I talked my way into the theatre again this week by approaching Robert Voskanian, the theatres manager who was standing beneath the marque. He was very eager to walk me around the theatre auditorium and it looked fantastic – the best I’ve ever seen it. The ceiling still has the same water damage as it’s always had, but that kind of work costs millions to repair. The thing that I was most interested in was the lobby dome. Voskanian said that when they had started the project that one of their plans was to restore the original lobby dome from 1918. He said that they brought in several different specialists to survey the area, but that they all said that it would cost too much to be done at this time. I have a feeling that down the road when the theatre has had the opportunity to generate some income, that the smaller details such as that will be dealth with. I’m just glad to see the theatre alive with activity and the smell of fresh paint rather then of must and dust.
I was inside the Los Angeles the other day for the millionth time with a group of tourists and while they were looking up at the amazing lobby ceiling I was taking to Frank the manager. He said that the theatre is working on securing a liquor licence for future events. This to me shows that the owners are serious about re-opening this theatre on a regular basis for events and whatnot. I’ve spent thousands of hours in this building with the LAC’s Historical Theatres Committee and he Lyric Opera of Los Angeles and I never get tired of it.
Has anybody noticed the beautiful job the owners have done on the theatre’s facade???? The entire building has had a major power wash and looks stunning. While driving home from the Edison a few nights back I had to stop the car and get out to see the lights on the blade sigh and marque glowing. The theatre looks fantastic and I’m looking forward to getting inside soon. I spoke to Frank Schultz the manager of the Delijani Family Theater empire a few days back, and he said that the Palace Theatre on Broadway is next in line for a facade cleaning. YAY!!!
I heard it through the grapevine that when the Cult’s, er, I mean Church’s lease it up, the Owners do not intend to renew it. Rumor has it that the owners intend on a major restoration/renovation on this theatre to make it a major road house for touring musicals……
Hmmmm……………
I was at the downtown office this week, and I was able to get into the Bradbury playing the “I’m a tour guide/member of the LAC’s historical theatres committee” crap…. Well…. The auditorium looked okay – painted red, gold, and cream. The lights were down save for these red lights on for accent… The Lobby on the other hand….. As I posted above, they have removed the 1950s drop ceiling, but they have placed a rather ugly gold pressed tin ceiling in it’s placed and have hung ugly lamps…. I’m hoping that once this theatre is open and making money, that they’ll do a full lobby restoration at a later date….
I was in the theatre lobby this morning conducting a tour and saw that the drop ceiling and round lights added in the 1950s has been removed. Near that front door the 1940s round dome has been un-covered and is being restored. I couldn’t get my group into the auditorium, but I could see that the underside of the balcony has been re-painted a Maroon-ish color. I hope to try to sneak in next Saturday.
Well, it would make sense – Grauman sold off his interest in his Egyptian and Chinese Theatres in 1929………
Now if only someone would restore the California Theatre up the street from the Balboa………..
I got inside again today!! I had a group of tourists from Ireland and just as I was giving my “the oldest movie palace still standing” spiel, the gates of the theatre opened and we were able to go inside. The lobby is still undergoing renovations – still laying new tile and the ceiling still needs a few touch ups, but the auditorium appears to be finished for the time being. The main floor has new carpet and the lighting is perfect to accentuate the newly painted walls. They’ve also hung red drapes on the side walls of the auditorium to add a new layer to the space without spending a boatload of cash. All traces of that dammed church have been wiped clean of the interior, and the theatre is ready for a new phase in it’s history. I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised with how this renovation job has come off. I know several people were a bit apprehensive with the news that the theatre was going to have major work done, but I feel that the management has a good clear vision, and all is well.
About 6 or 7 years ago I sweet talked one of the shop owners to let me explore the building. I was able to walk up the left staircase up to a second level lobby area. Their are two staircases on either side of the lobby, and at the second level I saw some fantastic Art Deco neo-classical pillars with a very stylized modern Ionic capitols. I got into the men’s room, but the smell was bad, and the shop owner said it was time to leave. As We made out way back down the stairs, I saw a white double door that I assume lead into the Auditorium. I’ve only seen two photos of the interiors, but they showed a very handsome restrained Deco design.
I talked my way into the auditorium this week. I’ve been in many times with the Conservancy but this time I was able to do some exploring. It seems that the lower lever boxes are still intact, or at least their outlines…. The stage is a lot larger then people think it to be – I was able to climb over some boxes to find the original dressing rooms staircase leading underneath the stage. It looks like the original light board is in place and some 1920’s era atmospheric lights are above the stage hanging from the grid. The fly loft is a good size and could be easily re-tooled for future usage for live theatre. This Theatre would be the PERFECT mid size venue – between 700 and 900 seats. The rake of the auditorium floor is rather steep, but that makes fantastic sight lines. I wish that the owners knew how much potential this theatre has…. Hell, I with I had unlimited funds and the deed to the building… I’ve been saying this for years! If only………..
The facade was power washed this week and the building looks AMAZING!!!! I saw Frank this morning and he said that the Los Angeles is next!
I talked my way into the theatre again this week by approaching Robert Voskanian, the theatres manager who was standing beneath the marque. He was very eager to walk me around the theatre auditorium and it looked fantastic – the best I’ve ever seen it. The ceiling still has the same water damage as it’s always had, but that kind of work costs millions to repair. The thing that I was most interested in was the lobby dome. Voskanian said that when they had started the project that one of their plans was to restore the original lobby dome from 1918. He said that they brought in several different specialists to survey the area, but that they all said that it would cost too much to be done at this time. I have a feeling that down the road when the theatre has had the opportunity to generate some income, that the smaller details such as that will be dealth with. I’m just glad to see the theatre alive with activity and the smell of fresh paint rather then of must and dust.
I was inside the Los Angeles the other day for the millionth time with a group of tourists and while they were looking up at the amazing lobby ceiling I was taking to Frank the manager. He said that the theatre is working on securing a liquor licence for future events. This to me shows that the owners are serious about re-opening this theatre on a regular basis for events and whatnot. I’ve spent thousands of hours in this building with the LAC’s Historical Theatres Committee and he Lyric Opera of Los Angeles and I never get tired of it.
Has anybody noticed the beautiful job the owners have done on the theatre’s facade???? The entire building has had a major power wash and looks stunning. While driving home from the Edison a few nights back I had to stop the car and get out to see the lights on the blade sigh and marque glowing. The theatre looks fantastic and I’m looking forward to getting inside soon. I spoke to Frank Schultz the manager of the Delijani Family Theater empire a few days back, and he said that the Palace Theatre on Broadway is next in line for a facade cleaning. YAY!!!
I heard it through the grapevine that when the Cult’s, er, I mean Church’s lease it up, the Owners do not intend to renew it. Rumor has it that the owners intend on a major restoration/renovation on this theatre to make it a major road house for touring musicals……
Hmmmm……………
I’m sorry…. I work in the Bradbury, and was able to get into the Million Dollar Theatre – ugh, I’m having a senior moment and I’m only 26!
I was at the downtown office this week, and I was able to get into the Bradbury playing the “I’m a tour guide/member of the LAC’s historical theatres committee” crap…. Well…. The auditorium looked okay – painted red, gold, and cream. The lights were down save for these red lights on for accent… The Lobby on the other hand….. As I posted above, they have removed the 1950s drop ceiling, but they have placed a rather ugly gold pressed tin ceiling in it’s placed and have hung ugly lamps…. I’m hoping that once this theatre is open and making money, that they’ll do a full lobby restoration at a later date….
I was in the theatre lobby this morning conducting a tour and saw that the drop ceiling and round lights added in the 1950s has been removed. Near that front door the 1940s round dome has been un-covered and is being restored. I couldn’t get my group into the auditorium, but I could see that the underside of the balcony has been re-painted a Maroon-ish color. I hope to try to sneak in next Saturday.