Alex Theatre

Alex Theatre

Infobox_nrhp | name =Alex Theatre
nrhp_type =


caption = The Alex theatre, before the 1940 renovation
location= Glendale, CA
lat_degrees = 34 | lat_minutes = 8 | lat_seconds = 56.66 | lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 118 | long_minutes = 15 | long_seconds = 12.15 | long_direction = W
area =
built =1925
architect= Lindley & Selkirk Associates; Et al.
architecture= Classical Revival, Art Deco, Moderne
added = February 16, 1996
governing_body = Local
refnum=96000102 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
The Alex Theatre is a landmark located at 216 North Brand Boulevard in Glendale, California of the United States of America. It is currently owned by the City of Glendale and operated by Glendale Arts.

Architecture

The "Alexander", as it was known until 1940, was designed by the architecture firm of Arthur G. Lindley and Charles R. Selkirk, who also designed the Hotel Glendale. The unique interior has distinct neo-classic Greek and Egyptian architectural elements, similar to the Greco-Egyptian period of Ptolemaic Egypt. A long walkway and courtyard separating the ticket booth from the lobby was inspired after the famous Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

In 1940, notable theater architect S. Charles Lee was commissioned to redesign the exterior of the "Alexander". Lee's portfolio included the "Tower Theatre" and The "Los Angeles Theatre", both in Los Angeles, the "Academy Theatre" in Inglewood, as well as the "Tujunga Theatre" in Tujunga. His contributions included a 100 foot tall art-deco column with neon lights, topped by a spiked, neon sphere that gave it a "starburst" appearance. A neon, angled marquee emblazoned the theater's new name, the "Alex", which was shortened to fit the larger letters.

History

The "Alexander" officially opened its doors on September 4th, 1925. It was operated by the West Coast-Langley Theatre Circuit and featured vaudeville performances, plays and silent movies on a single screen. It was named after Alexander Langley, the son of C.L. Langley, owner of the West Coast chain that included the "Raymond Theater" in Pasadena, and the "Orange Theatre" in the city of Orange. In addition to the lavish architecture, a huge Wurlitzer pipe organ was installed. A regular organist supplied improvised accompaniment during the silent picture era. Several movies had their preview screening at "The Alex", inviting celebrities such as Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Elizabeth Taylor for "National Velvet" and Bing Crosby for "Going My Way" (both 1944). A backstage fire in 1948 caused $150,000 in damages.

Starting in the 1950s, the "Alex" showed blockbuster films such as "Ben-Hur" (1959) and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984). A wide aspect ratio screen was installed in 1954, along with a surround sound system to accommodate the new Cinemascope pictures.

The "Alex" underwent an extensive renovation in 1993 which restored much of the original wall-painting and decorations, as well as the neon spire added by S. Charles Lee.

The Alex today

The Alex Theatre Performing Arts and Entertainment Center has been the centerpiece of the City's arts, culture and community events since it originally opened. The Theatre's diverse schedule boosts roughly 250 events per year and attracts more than 100,000 patrons annually. Programs range from classical and contemporary concerts, theatre, dance, comedy, fundraising and special events as well as TV and film productions and industry related award presentations.

Resident companies include the Alex Film Society, Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, Glendale Youth Orchestra, Musical Theatre Guild, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

The Alex Film Society regularly schedules classic films, often accompanied with special guests (e.g., the annual Thanksgiving weekend tradition 'Three Stooges Big Screen Event,' which children, grandchildren, and other relatives of the Stooges often attend), live musical performances of the films soundtrack and vintage photos.

Tours are available that take you backstage and cover the entire history of the "Alex".

Notes

External links

* [http://www.alextheatre.org The Alex Theatre online]
* [http://www.alexfilmsociety.org The Alex Film Society]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Poor Alex Theatre — is a theatre company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.In 1996, Valerie Morgan (executive producer) took the theatre began renovations and equipment upgrades. She publicized the theatre s historical past and its future goals. The Poor Alex… …   Wikipedia

  • Alex Madis — (ou Alexis Madis) est un acteur, dramaturge, journaliste et scénariste français. Alex Madis fut également un des amis proches et confident de Sacha Guitry. Il fut notamment son premier biographe. Il fut le témoin de Guitry lors de son mariage… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Alex Broun — (born in Sydney, Australia on 16 March 1965) Alex Broun has enjoyed considerable success in theatre, TV and film as a writer, actor and director and worked extensively as an activist for refugee rights with the Refugee Action Coalition (RAC).… …   Wikipedia

  • Théâtre des Mathurins — Le théâtre des Mathurins, rue des Mathurins (Paris 8e) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Alex Lanipekun — Nacimiento 7 de abril de 1981 (30 años) Londres, Inglaterra, UK Ficha en IMDb Alex Lanipekun, ( nació el 7 de abril de 1981 en Londres Inglaterra ), es un actor británico, mejor conocido por su papel de Ben Kaplan en la serie británica… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Alex Jones (playwright) — Alex Jones is a British actor, playwright and film maker. He is best known for Noise , his violent play about teenage newlyweds who face neighbourly aggression. Noise is associated with in yer face theatre by Aleks Sierz.Plays* Deadwood… …   Wikipedia

  • Alex Goude — Données clés Naissance 13 août 1975 (1975 08 13) (36 ans) Neuilly sur Seine Profession Animateur de télé et présentateur météo[1] Site internet …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Alex Cline — (born January 4, 1956, in Los Angeles, CA) is an American jazz drummer.Cline began playing drums with his twin brother, guitarist Nels Cline, at age 11. Their first combo was called Homogenized Goo and included David Hirschman on guitar. He began …   Wikipedia

  • Alex Metayer — Alex Métayer Pour les articles homonymes, voir Métayer. Alex Métayer était un humoriste français né le 19 mars 1930 à Berre l Étang (Bouches du Rhône) et mort des suites d un cancer à Paris le 21 février 2004. Il eut un fils… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Alex Buzo — (23 July 1944 mdash;16 August 2006) was an Australian playwright and author who wrote 88 works. [ [http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=122776 NineMSN Playwright Alex Buszo dies August 16 2007] ] Early lifeBuzo was born in Sydney in 1944 to …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”