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What Was Old is New Again
The New York City Center set to reopen October 25
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After long awaited renovations the 88 year-old building that contains the New York City Center will reopen October 25th with a grand Gala opening. With a new, modernized lobby including a wall of plasma video displays and several other new amenities the City Center is ready to entertain expanded programming, festivals, exhibits, and world-class performances.
Additionally, a large bronze and glass, heated and lighted, dramatic marquee is the show piece of the major renovations.
Such grandeur improvements were made possible through a $75 million capital campaign and the City Center’s contribution of $35.6 million.
“This long-awaited renovation has revitalized our historic building and ensures that City Center will remain a vital part of the city’s cultural fabric for many years to come,” said Arlene Shuler, City Center’s President & CEO. “City Center has been one of the city’s preeminent performing arts centers for nearly 70 years.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will mirror the 1943 dedication ceremony in which Mayor LaGuardia conducted the New York Philharmonic, thus the Encores! will be conducted by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
“City Center occupies a special place in the lives of New Yorkers as the diverse and accessible ‘People’s Theater’ founded by Mayor LaGuardia,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Generations of New Yorkers flocked to City Center to see performances by many of the world’s greatest artists and companies. The City of New York is proud to help City Center remain a vibrant cultural attraction for generations to come.”
With the new renovations, new programming will highlight the reopening of such an important landmark. The City Center has hired the American Ballet Theatre to perform the premiere of their New Ballet in November. Additionally, three new choreographers will be housed by the Center through the New York City Center Choreography Fellowship Program. The three choreographers are to be awarded a generous stipend, rehearsal space, access to the Centers endless resources and will be announced soon.
Designs for the new and improved City Center were commissioned by Ennead Architects. The company focused on the theater’s unique neo-Moorish design in order to highlight the sophisticated motifs and elaborate plasterwork. In achieving their goal of maintaining historical integrity while accommodating new performances and audience comfort, Ennead has elevated the beloved Center into a modern, yet magical world.