CAPrrAL TIMES, October 4, 1989 The HersheyTheatre: A bit of old Europe H.W. Rappold Capital Times Staff Through Milton Hershey's travels to Europe he fell in love with the architecture of Venice, Italy and wanted to bring some of it back to central Pennsylvania. In doing so, Hershey built a magnifacant theatre for the community. ' The theatre is central Pa.'s answer to Broadway or way off-Broadway. Some shows warm-up in Hershey before going onto Broadway, like "Fiddler on the Roof" this season. After performances on Hershey's stage in January, the show will re-open on Broadway in April. The 1904 seat theatre was cheap, $3 million, to build during the depression with both labor and material costs at an all time low. "Looking up is most peoples first reaction when entering the theatre," according to Susan Fowler, Executive Director of the Hershey Educational&Cultural Center which runs the theatre. Inside the most special part of the theatre has to be straight up. Overhead is whats called an atmospheric ceiling, a hallmark of the 1900-1920 era. This ceiling, with house lights low, gives the look of twinkling stars overhead. This is done by 88 small holes filled with 10- and 25- watt light bulbs. To accompany this, is another lighting effect that makes it look as if clouds are drifting MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL 3 / SCREENS FREE FOOD 9 - 12P.M. COOR'S LITE DRAFT SPECIAL THURSDAY MEXICAN NIGHT TACOS, CORONA, and TEQUILA SPECIALS HOT D.J. 10p.m. - la.m. SATURDAY - "BUCKET OF ROCKS NIGHT" 6 -12 ounce bottles of ROLLING ROCK in bucket with ice $4.00 HOT D.J. and LIVE BANDS TUESDAY NIGHT BUD NIGHT BUDWEISER SPECIALS ALL NIGHT 50 cent DRAFTS FRIDAY - MOLSON MANIA HOT D.J. and LIVE BANDS "No cover with Penn State 1.D." ARTS & LEISURE slowly overhead. The design of the inner walls of the theatre appear to be directly from a castle. The gray, stone castle like walls of the theatre, along with the ormamental balconies tend to take you back to another time. They helped to set the imagination to thinking and ready it for the performance on hand. Up and down, move that scenery. On the stage this is possible, seven hydraulic elevators built into the floor can raise sections of the stage up to seven feet into the air. The back elevator even is able to go below stage level. This gives the ability of placing props and scenery in below stage level storage rooms until needed. Besides the stage area a lot of thought went into th eplanning of the Grand Lobby and the Inner Foyer. Two artists labored for two years to complete the blue and gold mosiac of the domed foyer ceiling. The design is sure to catch your eye, that is as long as you look up to see it. When entering the theatre's Grand Lobby it is easy to be overtaking by the splendor of the decor. The design of the lobby is Pompeian with floors made of polished Italian lava rock and walls of four different types of marble. The ceiling is covered by a painted canvas that is adhered to the plaster. This all began 56 years ago with a man and his dream; the dream of a theatre for the community and the man Milton S. Hershey and today the dream is still is alive and put to use. This dream is well taking care of; with the theatre blocking out a few months of the year for up keep and repairs. The stage has been home for many shows throughout its 56 year history. A variey of off-Broadway touring shows, many musical acts and movies have all been enjoyed by thousands of audiences. Today all three types of entertainment are still using the theatre. Mick Jagger, left, together again with the Rolling Stones. The Stones performed Sept. 24 in RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. 11 /% L WPSH A O" THE VOICE OF CAPITAL COLLEGE Rob Base &DJ E Z Rock IT TAKES TWO FYC DON'T LOOK BACK Bobby Brown ON OUR OWN Living Colour CULT OF PERSONALITY Tone Loc FUNKY COLD MEDINA Paula Abdul COLD HEARTED REM STAND Living Colour GLAMOUR:BOYS New Order FINE BOYS The Cult FIRE WOMAN Erasure A LITTLE RESPECT Modern English I'LL MELT WITH YOU Elvis Costello VERONICA B-52's ROCK LOBSTER XTC DEAR GOD "WE ARE ON THE AIR" The theatre runs a classic film series. Fowler said that these films can attract up to 1400 people. Movies from the past such as "Gone with the Wind" or "Singing in the Rain" can still pack'em in. Their isn't a bad seat in the house according to Fowler. The theatre is designed to give most anyone a good clear view of the stage. Still, for Fowler her favorite place to watch a show would be from the back of the theatre and watch the audience enjoyment. 63 AM TOP 15
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