CAPA THEATRES OPEN HOUSE WALKING TOUR

On Saturday my husband, Andrew and I went on the CAPA Theatres Open House Walking Tour. I believe this is an annual event, or perhaps the second year for it. At any rate, I heard one of the docent’s comment that last year only like 10 people showed up at one of the theatres, but he noted that lack of advertising could explain that. In fact, it’s only because Andrew received an email that I even found out about it, so when he suggested it, I was definitely agreeable to going.

We parked at the Columbus Commons and walked the short distance to the Southern Theatre first.

I believe we’ve only ever been there twice – the first time to attend a recording of the (former) NPR radio show, “From the Top,” and then later to attend a performance of “The Pirates of Penzance.”

According to the brochure, “The Southern Theatre opened in 1896 as part of a performance space and hotel complex called the Great Southern Fireproof Hotel and Opera House. However, the Southern departed from the classical opera house design by incorporating “modern” features such as electricity and concentric ceiling arches that created near-perfect acoustics. The Southern was ahead of its time but struggled to recover the cost of its construction and survive in a rapidly changing society. After several ownership changes and falling into extensive disrepair, the Southern closed its doors in 1979.

In 1986, the theatre was donated to CAPA, which again rallied the community and raised $10 million to fund a 14-month, total restoration. Reopened in 1998, the thriving Southern Theatre is Columbus’ oldest existing theatre and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.”

It definitely still has a very classical and historical look to it. I’m glad the effort was made to save this architectural gem.

Leaving there we made our way across town to the Palace Theatre which, quite honestly, is like an ugly step-sister, at least from the outside, compared to the grandeur of the Ohio Theatre and the charm of the Southern Theatre.

According to the brochure, “Also designed by celebrated architect Thomas Lamb, the Palace Theatre opened in 1926 as the Keith-Albee Palace. With a design inspired by France’s magnificent Palais de Versailles, the Palace was built for vaudeville, a popular “variety show” form of entertainment. During the ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s, it was Columbus’ most active live-show theatre with performances from the biggest names in entertainment. In 1973, the Palace was purchased by Frederick W. LeVeque with plans to incorporate a hotel, but after his death in 1975, his widow Katherine LeVeque announced she would save and restore the Palace, investing millions in renovation and improvements. As such, the Palace was closed during much of the ‘70s, reopening in 1980 and continuing to host concerts and Broadway shows throughout the decade.

In 1989, Mrs. LeVeque gifted the Palace to CAPA, which immediately assumed responsibility for the care and management of the magnificent historic venue.”

After walking around the lobby and the Mezzanine, the French influence is very obvious, just from the choice of paintings alone. There are also dressing rooms named for various cities. It was kind of nice seeing where performers get ready.

Sadly, these are hardly glamorous spaces. I think it was the Brooklyn room that had a tiny dorm-size fridge in the corner as what appeared to be the only amenity. I guess show biz isn’t always glitter and diamonds…

I liked the playbill covers painted on the back wall of the stage, which were then signed by the various actors. I didn’t take the time to look, but I’m sure there were several famous signatures scribbled here and there.

Our last stop, only because we were the most familiar with it (having already toured it several years ago, and visited on dozens of occasions), was the Ohio Theatre. The Ohio Theatre, besides being the Cinderella of the trio, has prime real estate being located across the street from the Statehouse (and just a few doors down from the historical Planter’s Peanuts shop).

According to the brochure, “When Robert Karlsberger, Lawrence Fisher, Jean Whallon, and Scott Whitlock formed CAPA on May 21, 1969, its immediate mission was to save the historic and stunning Loew’s Ohio Theatre from being destroyed. The 1928 Spanish Baroque-style movie house, designed by world-famous architect Thomas Lamb as “a palace for the average man,” was closed by Loew’s on February 24, 1969, and sold to a local development company with plans to raze it to build an office tower. The newly formed non-profit leapt to rally the community in a “Save the Ohio” campaign that ultimately raised more than $2 million in less than a year. The unprecedented effort met its mark, and the glorious and beloved Ohio Theatre was safe.”

I’m glad they were able to save it, because it’s one of my favorite places to visit year-round, but especially in the summer when classical films are shown with old-time admission prices.

The highlight of the summer movie series is the annual showing of a silent film accompanied by Clark Wilson on the Mighty Morgan organ (which sinks down into the orchestra pit at the start of each movie while playing “Hurrah for Hollywood.”)

Until Saturday, I didn’t realize that the boxes (which would normally seat the wealthier patrons – like Julia Roberts & Richard Gere in “Pretty Woman”) are actually facades. Instead, those areas are used to rig the lighting. If you want box seats, you can get them at the other two theatres.

All in all, a fun afternoon out (and not too hot for all the walking we had to do between theatres, though complimentary bottles of water was provided). Also, we (and anyone else who visited all 3 theatres) were rewarded for our efforts with a pair of tickets to a movie of our choice at the Ohio Theatre in the summer movie series. Life doesn’t get any better than that…