KANSAS CITY, MO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — City officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a partly refurbished Kansas City Music Hall on February 23rd, celebrating that the first phase of the renovation came in well under budget.
Mayor Kay Barnes officially rededicated the 1935 art deco theater in the brief ceremony.
“In the past the Music Hall has always been a prominent venue for the performing arts in Kansas City,” Barnes said, according to the Kansas City Star. “The renovation will secure our ability to host a wide range of…performances, which will expand the art offerings in Kansas City, will enrich our lives and make Kansas City a top-tier destination.”
The first phase of the renovation included adding 2,300 new seats, realigned to improve each theatergoer’s view of the stage; a new access ramp in the lobby for people with disabilities; a recessed back wall that will give 15 extra feet to accommodate shows with large, complicated scenery; a new fly tower above the stage that will allow more elaborate rigging systems; and new curtains.
The work so far was budgeted at $13.4 million, but completed for about $12.6 million. The savings, plus an additional $1.5 million donated by Live Nation, will cover much of the remaining improvements. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
