Opening Night - March 1, 2008

Patrons in the theater for the first time.

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy

Victoria Leopold enjoys good company in the McCorkle Lounge.

Pat Hull, Alma Abshier, Dick Hull.

First Notes

To celebrate the re-opening, Opera supporters were welcomed to the theater by Susan Danis and Maestro DeRenzi for a 'First Notes' dinner followed by a dress rehearsal of 'Rigoletto'.

Tile Work

The crew from Sun Tile works across the Lobby floor.

As a final step, the tile is grouted and polished.

Victoria Leopold Grand Atrium

Final work progresses on the atrium.

The completed Victoria Leopold Grand Atrium in the early evening, days prior to the re-opening of the Opera House.

Painting the Atrium

The decorative painting crew prepares to paint the atrium by protecting the 1926 wood columns.

Lead decorative artist Martha Tippin of Dean Tippin Studios works on pickling and staining the wood columns around the atrium.

One of the decorative painting crew works on blending small cracks in the columns which have been sealed and filled.

Wet Paint

Atrium

A view up the lobby atrium, which is draped in plastic as painting goes on on the second floor.

Atrium - Video

Painters work on a lift in the atrium, while carpenters install railings on the third floor and columns are sanded on the second floor.

Atrium

Work proceeds on the atrium.

Maestro Victor DeRenzi

Maestro Victor DeRenzi checks out the new expanded orchestra pit and the newly opened lobby atrium.

Railings - Video

Adams Brothers Cabinetry installs a new section of railing around the atrium.

Railings - Video

Carpenters from Adams Brothers Cabinetry build and install a new section of railing at the third floor of the atrium.

Skylight

A few views of the skylight on sunny days during construction this summer and fall.

Column Stripping - Video

The construction crew works on lifts in the atrium, doing the final preparation of the solid cypress columns for pickling. The pickling process will give the columns a light color, while leaving the graining of the wood exposed.