Saenger Theatre holds opening

NEW ORLEANS — On Friday Mayor Landrieu, city officials, Canal Street Development Corporation and representatives of ACE Theatrical Group celebrated the reopening of the historic Saenger Theatre at 1111 Canal Street following a $52 million restoration.
Built in 1927 by noted New Orleans architect Emile Weil, the Saenger Theatre is an example of Italian Renaissance architecture and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was significantly damaged by Hurricane Katrina and has since been the focus of complex redevelopment through a public-private partnership between the City of New Orleans, Canal Street Development Corporation, and ACE Theatrical Group, according to Saenger officials.
“The Saenger Theatre is once again the crown jewel of Canal Street and its rebirth is a significant moment in New Orleans’ continuing recovery from Hurricane Katrina,” Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “This newly restored, iconic stage house is both essential to our cultural identity and serves as a symbol of how we are building back better than before. Combined with new state-of-the-art features and the authentic restoration to its original 1927 design, the new Saenger Theatre will redefine the live entertainment marketplace in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. Audiences will be as amazed by the fully restored theatre’s fine attention to detail as they are to the world class acts it will attract.”
“We are proud to introduce the authentically-restored Saenger with state-of-the-art technology and first-class amenities that will provide a place for families and visitors to attend performances they will never forget,” said David Anderson, president and CEO of ACE Theatrical Group. “Our partnership with the City of New Orleans has been a key factor in successfully restoring this iconic landmark and should be used as a model for theatres around the country.”
The Saenger Theatre has been restored to its original, 1927 grandeur with historically replicated carpet, original and replicated chandeliers, and a historically accurate paint scheme. Modern technical upgrades, including new fiber optic stars in the auditorium and expanded restroom and concession facilities make the theatre a state-of-the-art live entertainment venue.
Years of paint and veneer have been stripped away inside the theatre and the original color palette has been restored. Architects have worked to recreate the theatre’s original interior look and feel, including the decorative elements and ornamentation, windows and doors, light fixtures and poster boxes.
The stage house has been expanded, allowing for larger productions and a wide range of programs. The Saenger Theatre reopened with a seating capacity of approximately 2,600.
The restoration was led by renowned architecture firm Martinez + Johnson of Washington, DC and construction was performed by Broadmoor Construction of Metairie.
The Saenger Theatre has a lineup of live entertainment, opening with comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The Saenger Theatre Grand Opening Gala Concert with Kristin Chenoweth and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will be Saturday.
This fall, the theatre will also host the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2013-14 season, showcasing the best of Broadway, including The Book of Mormon, Ghost the Musical, Sister Act, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Memphis, War Horse and Rain. For information on the Saenger Theatre, including performance and ticketing information, visit www.saengernola.com.