Richmond CenterStage countdown clock - 165 days until Grand Opening!

NEWS RELEASE

Richmond CenterStage Announces Grand Opening Performances, Unveils Countdown Clock

Artists announced for September 12-13 Grand Opening; Clock on Broad Street starts ticking away time until doors open

RICHMOND – One-hundred and sixty-five days: The countdown is on to the Grand Opening of Richmond CenterStage, with a brand new clock on Broad Street that will tick away the moments until the September 12th grand opening of the world-class performing arts complex.

“The opening of Richmond CenterStage has been a long time coming, and the cultural impact this facility will bring to the city is within sight,” said Jim Ukrop, Chairman of the CenterStage Foundation, the fundraising arm of the performing arts center. “When CenterStage opens this year, it will become the cornerstone of this up-and-coming arts district in Virginia’s capital city.”

The Countdown Clock and signage measure 8 feet high by 16 feet long, and contain 1,280 digital LED lights. The 120-pound clock, designed by Chester-based Holiday Signs, will stand on the CenterStage construction site until the Grand Opening, 165 days from today. The clock was unveiled by school-age local performers.

Located on Grace Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets, Richmond CenterStage includes the fully-renovated, 91-year-old Carpenter Theatre with nearly 1,800 seats, along with four other venues: the multi-use space Rhythm Hall, the Genworth BrightLights Education Center, the intimate Gottwald Playhouse and the Showcase Gallery, for exhibition of the visual arts.

“When you consider where Broad Street was just five years ago, it is amazing to imagine that we have come so far and to think about where we are going. But none of this could have been done without support of individuals who looked at this area and saw what it could be, once again,” said Carthan F. Currin III, Richmond’s Economic Development Director. “It is also important to remember that, though ‘Richmond’ is in the name of this project, Richmond CenterStage is a place for everyone from our neighboring counties and elsewhere to visit and enjoy. There is something for everyone here.”

In addition to the clock unveiling, CenterStage officials announced the Grand Opening lineup. The theme of the Grand Opening weekend is “Opening the Doors to Serious Fun,” and will include performances by each of the producing resident companies that will call the venue home:

§ African American Repertory Theatre: Poetry and readings celebrating the inspirational works of noted African American writer Langston Hughes;

§ Elegba Folklore Society: Mandiani, featuring performances of songs, music and dances celebrating the South African culture and traditions;

§ Richmond Ballet: Stoner Winslett’s Windows IV, with 38 dancers and an original score by Virginia composer Jonathan Romeo;

§ Richmond Jazz Society: “Generations of Jazz,” popular masterworks performed live by a quintet of notable Virginia jazz musicians;

§ Richmond Shakespeare: Songs and sonnets by William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary year of their first publication, with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra;

§ Richmond Symphony: Bernstein’s overture from Candide and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, and live accompaniment from four groups: Richmond Ballet, Virginia Opera, Richmond Shakespeare and SPARC;

§ School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community, or SPARC: Excerpts from Les Misérables with SPARC students and alumni performing for the first time with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra;

§ Theatre IV – Barksdale: Fuente Ovejuna, with the Latin Ballet of Virginia, a 15th century work from the Golden Age of Spanish Theatre; and,

§ Virginia Opera: The cast of La Bohème performing excerpts from the most popular works in the operatic repertory.

The acts include more than 200 performers from the nine producing resident companies, with nearly 50 additional crew members. The groups are ethnically diverse, with performers who range in age from younger than 10 to nearly 90 years old.

“While CenterStage is going to draw some high-profile national acts, it is foremost the home of our local arts groups to express their diverse and creative performances,” said Managing Director of Richmond Ballet Keith Martin, who is directing the CenterStage Grand Opening performances. “This unprecedented collaboration is going to showcase the best that each art form has to offer. I cannot imagine a more appropriate way to celebrate such an incredible venue, a facility that will offer unlimited possibilities for Richmond’s future.”

The opening weekend will include to two identical productions. The first will be Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. followed by a Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $35 to $100, and will go on sale on July 1st through Ticketmaster.

For more information about CenterStage, please visit RichmondCenterStage.com.

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