(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The outcome of a $25 million restoration of Knoxville’s Tennessee Theater will be on display when it reopens it doors this month.
The 76-year-old theater closed down in 2004 to undergo the massive renovation project. The updated and upgraded venue will be a much more modern 1,631-seat performing arts center, complete with new seats with better views, new rigging, lighting systems, and other performance equipment. The orchestra pit, dressing rooms and restrooms have all been improved as well.
Despite the being almost completely reborn, the Tennessee Theater has remained true to its heritage, and still boasts its beautiful Spanish-Moorish décor.
The landmark former movie theater has played host to acts as popular and diverse as Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, Chet Atkins, and Johnny Cash, as well many top movie premiers and resident orchestras. The theater also had a great impact on the city of Knoxville, being host to many local performance groups and sponsor of many charities.
Marking its grand reopening, the Theater has two sold out shows for Alison Krauss and Union Station scheduled for January 20th and 21st, Steve Earle the next day, and acts such as Dave Brubeck, Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, DJ Spooky, Buddy Guy, Elvis Costello, Wynton Marsalis, Del McCoury, and John Scofield with the Brad Mehldau Trio scheduled throughout the spring concert season. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
