Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Saenger on her way back

Renovations of the Saenger Theater in New Orleans continue. The webite formerly known as The Times-Picayune reported last month:

"Since the beginning of 2012, the Saenger has been undergoing a comprehensive renovation aimed at erasing the ravages of time and the floodwaters that followed Hurricane Katrina. Closed since a year before the storm, when the theater was getting new seats as part of a relatively modest refurbishment, the space is now more than half-way through a $52 million effort that will bring the facility up to modern technical standards, while acknowledging its exceptionally rich visual history.

When the project is completed, sometime this fall if the schedule holds, the Saenger should appear much as it did when the theater revealed itself to New Orleans 86 years ago.

"Our goal has always been -- with today's technological and mechanical improvements -- to return the building to the way it looked when it opened in 1927," said Saenger general manager David Skinner.

The theater made quite a splash when it opened.

“The sensation of being lifted from a workaday world into a land of medieval romance and of seeing the latest departure in modern performances under a summer sky of twinkling stars and moving clouds was conveyed to four thousand Orleanians at the opening of the Saenger last night,” The Times-Picayune reported on Feb. 5, 1927 in a paper that contained a 10-page special section for the occasion....

"From this area you can see the marble all the way up has been redone, all the painting has been redone, and the columns – and they look just outstanding. You can see some spaces where we're going to have chandeliers. Through various hands of ownership through the years with the Saenger, it fell on some hard economic times and to stay open it became necessary to sell some assets – and the chandeliers, unfortunately, were sold.

At least one of the chandeliers was found in a local antique shop, but Skinner said, “We were not able to locate all of them, so some of them will be reproduced." ....." Rest of the article

It is very nice to see this lady return to her former glory as she is one of the true treasures of the South. Nothing like grabbing a Broadway show at the Saenger after dinner at Palace Cafe and then hitting the Quarter afterwards.

Posted by Kingfish at 10:00 AM

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Agree, its good to see a city embrace and restore its historic structures. If you check out the pics at http://www.saengernola.com you can tell they are doing it right, not just throwing up a facade.

March 26, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Anonymous said...

You can go here http://www.saengernola.com/ and see which Broadway plays will be brought in beginning later this year.

March 26, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Anonymous said...

That is fantastic to hear. The Orpheum in Memphis is great, but give me the Saenger any day! To this day, the Phantom at the Saenger hasn't been equalled... and I've seen it all over the world.

March 26, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Anonymous said...

We could barely see the building there last week due to all the construction going on. Very promising.

March 26, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Anonymous said...

While I'm delighted that this beautiful theatre is finally being restored, it's a shame that it's located in a horrendous part of this crime-ridden town. Hopefully, there will be plenty of security during the productions.

March 26, 2013 at 1:19 PM
Anonymous said...

1:19, if you think that location is in a "horrendous" part of town, you really have no clue about New Orleans.

March 26, 2013 at 10:31 PM
Anonymous said...

"The webite formerly known as The Times-Picayune reported last month:"

Lol don't hold back. Tell us what you really think.

March 27, 2013 at 1:23 AM
Nancy @ The Headmistress said...

10:31: I live in Baton Rouge and have worked in schools all over the New Orleans area. I certainly DO have a clue about New Orleans, thank you!

March 28, 2013 at 2:27 PM
Anonymous said...

I am glad for the renovation.

I'm sad that those who are glad to see this in other cities don't support renovation and preserving history in Jackson.

And, just like in every city, including this one, where there are events, there will be a police presence.

I applaud the people of New Orleans and Louisiana for their determination to preserve their great city in the face of adversities far less daunting than those faced by Jackson.

March 29, 2013 at 8:15 AM

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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).

Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.

In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS.