Spielberg Dolls Up the Empire for Her 100th Birthday

Posted by Bruce Miller
We're gavotte-ing into rehearsals for My Fair Lady this week, the 100th Anniversary production of the historic Empire Theatre. Our fair (and historic) theatre opened on Christmas Day, 1911! The consensus among those in attendance seemed to be that last night's read through/sing through went incredibly well. Tonight Leslie has her first choreography rehearsal. I'm excited and scared to be underway. The Empire herself must be pretty excited too. Steven Spielberg and his actors will be filming inside our landmark performance hall soon. They've completely transformed the inside of the theatre--removing seats, leveling the floor, constructing a full, beautiful period set on stage. I'm not allowed to say much more than that. But what I can say is that the design team for this film, led in part by Richmond-based art director David Crank (who also works, when we're lucky, as a Barksdale designer), is extraordinarily talented. What a nice pre-centennial birthday tribute for the magnificent Empire. Spielberg is going to make her a star!

What better way to celebrate Halloween than by going to the theatre, where people wear costumes all year long! We have two treats running this weekend: Becky's New Car at the Tavern and Kimberly Akimbo (special Wednesday matinee tomorrow at 2) at Theatre Gym. Call 282-2620 for your tickets today! Also, the restored art deco marquee is going up on the Empire this week, and we're repainting the lobby at Willow Lawn (with help from Altria volunteers!). And, we're presenting 51 live performances. Here's some of what's happening at your theatre.

Monday, Oct 24
Frog Prince - 1 show Flint MI
Hugs and Kisses - 2 shows Richmond VA
Sleepy Hollow - 1 show Topeka KS
Tales as Tall - 2 shows Henrico Co VA

Tuesday, Oct 25
Hugs and Kisses - 2 shows Caroline Co VA
Little Red Hen - 1 show Spotsylvania Co VA
Snow White - 1 show Halifax Co VA
Tales as Tall - 2 shows Henrico Co VA

Wednesday, Oct 26
Kimberly Akimbo - 2 pm Theatre Gym
Frog Prince - 2 shows in Albemarle Co VA
Hugs and Kisses - 1 show Norfolk VA, 1 show Isle of Wight Co VA
Little Red Hen - 2 shows Rockbridge Co VA
Sleepy Hollow - 2 shows in Roscommon MI
Tales as Tall - 2 shows Henrico Co VA

Thursday, Oct 27
Becky's New Car - 8 pm Hanover Tavern
Frog Prince - 1 show Dinwiddie Co VA, 1 show Chesterfield Co VA
Hugs and Kisses - 2 shows Suffolk VA
Little Red Hen - 2 shows Chesterfield Co VA
Sleepy Hollow - 1 show Euclid OH
Snow White - 2 shows Louisa Co VA
Tales as Tall - 2 shows Henrico Co VA

Friday, Oct 28
Becky's New Car - 8 pm Hanover Tavern
FIELD Arts Project - 2 classes Henrico Co VA
Frog Prince - 2 shows Chesterfield Co VA
Hugs and Kisses - 2 shows Isle of Wight Co VA
Little Red Hen - 1 show Henrico Co VA, 1 show Richmond VA
Sleepy Hollow - 2 shows Fairfax Co VA
Snow White - 1 show Hanover Co VA, 1 show Richmond VA
Tales as Tall - 2 shows Henrico Co VA

Saturday, Oct 29
Becky's New Car - 8 pm Hanover Tavern
Kimberly Akimbo - 8 pm Theatre Gym
Snow White - 2 shows Phoebus VA

Sunday, Oct 30
Becky's New Car - 2 pm Hanover Tavern

Hope to see you at the theatre!

--Bruce Miller

The Empire Gussies Up to Make History Yet Again

Posted by Bruce Miller
By now, many of you have seen or heard about the scaffolding that is covering the entire front of our historic Empire Theatre. That old rusting marquee that's been an embarrassment for the last 25 years has been dismantled and thrown into the dumpster. We all cheered watching it happen.

If all goes according to Hoyle, the new marquee (an historically accurate reconstruction of the original 1930s marquee for the Maggie Walker Theatre) will be up, and the scaffolding will be down prior to the first preview of Kimberly Akimbo on Oct 13 and the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Awards on Oct 16.

Owning an historic property is a dramatic exercise in any case. Owning an historic theatre ... well ...

The Empire first opened its doors in downtown Richmond on Christmas Day, 1911. I'll be writing more about that in the coming weeks. The Richmond Empire was modeled after the close-to-iconic Empire Theatre in NYC, built in 1893, the first theatre in New York to feature electrical lighting. The legendary Empire (NY) was only the second theatre to be built in the Times Square theatre district. Located at 1430 Broadway, between 40th and 41st, the Empire (NY) is credited with establishing the artistic and cultural phenomenon that the world now knows as Broadway. The Empire (NY) was demolished in 1953 to an outcry of public protest.

History-making Broadway productions that played the Empire (NY) include the American premiere of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (1895), the American premiere of Peter Pan by James Barrie (1906), the American premiere of Three Penny Opera by Kurt Weill and Bertold Brecht (1933), Life with Father by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (1939–45, still the longest running non-musical in Broadway history), and Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers (1950).

Our historic Empire (Richmond) is the more intimate of Central Virginia’s two Broadway-style theatres. With 604 seats, it approximates Broadway’s smaller theatres, like the Helen Hayes (seating capacity 593). With roughly 1,800 seats, the Carpenter Theatre approximates Broadway’s larger theatres, like the Gershwin (seating capacity 1933). Both theatres are invaluable, irreplacable cornerstones in the cultural foundation of our community.

The photo above and to the left was taken in 1893 when the Empire (NY) was brand new. I'm very proud to say that we just purchased a small, 1893 print of this historic photo, museum quality, and we will soon be displaying it prominently as we continue our ongoing, public interpretation of the historic facility we call home.

In the photo, the streetcar is heading down Broadway. The Oriental Hotel is on the corner, and the Empire Theatre (NY) is one building to the right of the intersection. Make special note of the first floor archway entrance to the theatre.

The photo to the left was taken in 1915, and shows a closer view of the grand arch entrance, framed on both sides by two classical columns. The name Empire has been added, as well as signage advertising the legendary actor, John Drew (uncle of Ethel, John and Lionel Barrymore). Handsome show card boxes have been placed at the base of each pair of columns to further promote the current offerings.

The reason I call your attention to this section of the facade is because it is this section that was duplicated almost exactly when the Richmond Empire was designed and built in 1911. If you remove the added signage from the image to the left, it will more closely represent the original design of the Empire (NY).

Posted to the right is an image of the Booker T. Theatre (one of the Richmond Empire's several incarnations), taken sometime in the 1940s, before the millwork on the original facade was removed for "modernization" in the 1950s. If you can imagine the Empire (NY) without the added signage, and compare it to the Empire (Richmond) without the Booker T marquee, you should be able to notice that the Richmond Empire focuses on a distinguished copy of the hallmark entrance to the history-making theatre that launched Broadway.

With all the recent brouhaha over how challenging it is to renovate and operate a major performing arts center in downtown Richmond (and it certainly is), it is easy to overlook the fact that Theatre IV has sucessfully operated and maintained the landmark Empire with nothing but public acceptance and acclaim for the last quarter century.

As you may have read a couple weeks ago, the recent hurri-quake added additional stress to our aging (and crumbling) stucco façade, requiring the scaffolding to go up and renovations to begin even though we don’t have quite all the money we need in the bank … yet. As we raise these funds, we’re very excited to know that the façade will be secure again in a couple weeks, and fully restored to it’s original grandeur (or very close to it) sometime early next year.

The historic Empire is a Central Virginia treasure, which will celebrate its 100th Birthday on Christmas Day of this year. It is the oldest major theatre in the Commonwealth. I hope everyone in Richmond will join us as we reintroduce this incredible asset to the community that has loved it throughout all its various incarnations.

--Bruce Miller

Flying Hot Dogs Spotted in Virginia's Oldest Theatre

Posted by Bob Wall
All right, sports fans! It’s been confirmed. There WILL be “flying hot dogs” at today’s 2 p.m. press event for the Flying Squirrels. This just in from Barksdale’s creative powerhouse and marketing boy wonder, David Janeski:

“They (the Flying Squirrels) will be introducing a new mascot, announcing the winners of their art contest, and throwing out T-shirts AND hot dogs… yes, I said throwing hot dogs.”

We're talking winners and wieners! Now that's entertainment! The historic Empire, proudly celebrating it’s Centennial Year, may never be the same.

Please come if you can, and enjoy our historic home before it is splattered with mustard.
Just kidding.

The Empire is Going Nutzy! What? No One's Surprised!

Posted by Bob Wall

"It's going to be even wackier than usual at the Empire today!" So states Sara Marsden, Marketing Director Extraordinaire of both Barksdale and Theatre IV.

As a kick-off event of the Empire's Centennial Celebration (our venerable home will turn 100 on Dec 25, 2011), the one and only Flying Squirrels will be filling our historic theatre with fans as they announce the winners of their "Nutzy is My Superhero Because ..." Art Contest.

It's FREE. And you're invited.

Bigger still, they'll be introducing their new Acorn Mascot during today's press event that begins at 2 p.m., sharing the stage with Theatre IV's beautiful set for The BFG (Big Friendly Giant).

"We have taken great pride in turning our unveilings into spectacles," said Flying Squirrels Vice President and COO Todd "Parney" Parnell. "With a setting like the historic Empire Theatre, and all of the talented folks at Theatre IV helping us out, this event will be just as memorable for those in attendance as Nutzy's introduction to Richmond!"

And it doesn't get much bigger or better than that.

The Flying Squirrels wide array of ballpark characters will be on hand to welcome the new Acorn Mascot, including Nutzy, the Vendortainers, the Molly Maids Dancing Drag Queens, and the Berks Wacky Hot Dog Vendor with Flingo the Flamingo. Fans in attendance should expect flying t-shirts, Crackerjacks, peanuts, and hot dogs.

We're not sure whether the adjective "flying" modifies "t-shirts, Crackerjacks, peanuts, and hot dogs," or just the t-shirts. You'll have to be there to find out. But if they have flying hot dogs, I'm bringing my mitt.

Please join us today for this fun community event, and help us celebrate the 100th Birthday of the Historic Empire Theatre--an upbeat theatre in downtown Richmond!