NewsPHOTO CALL: Inside the Richard Rodgers Theatre RenovationThe Richard Rodgers Theatre, which was built in 1925 as Chanin's 46th Street Theatre, underwent a $3.5 million renovation in anticipation of the starry Broadway revival of Romeo and Juliet.
By
Matthew Blank
September 09, 2013
The New York Daily news reports that James L. Nederlander, president of the Nederlander Organization, which owns the Rodgers, hired the award-winning firm of EverGreene Architectural Arts to restore the theatre.
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Inside the Richard Rodgers Theatre Renovation
Inside the Richard Rodgers Theatre Renovation
The Richard Rodgers Theatre, which was built in 1925 as Chanin's 46th Street Theatre, underwent a $3.5 million renovation in anticipation of the starry Broadway revival of Romeo and Juliet.
13 PHOTOS
The Richard Rogers, pre-renovations
EverGreene Architectural Arts
The design process began with overall concepts for color palettes, wall coverings, gilding options and decorative painting styles
EverGreene Architectural Arts
EverGreene performed testing of materials on site. On a portion of the balcony and the walls is a mock up of the potential design scheme. If approved, this design scheme would be carried throughout the theatre.
EverGreene Architectural Arts
The proscenium design with the oversized leaves seemed to be incongruous with the surrounding decoration and not original to the theatre.
EverGreene Architectural Arts
Further investigation, here one of the gilded leaves was removed, revealed that the original proscenium appeared intact underneath the post-historic additions
In June of 2013, EverGreene craftsmen demolished the outer plaster piece, and discovered a beautifully ornamented proscenium. The delicate design of unique figural forms and floral patterns still retained traces of gilding.
EverGreene Architectural Arts
An EverGreene conservation technician uses water to soften the post‐historic plaster that previously supported the exterior molding with water. By delicately scraping the plaster away, he reveals the bas relief sculpture of figural characters.
EverGreene Architectural Arts
Well‐versed in Classical design, mythology and symbology, EverGreene’s design team creates with sketches, then full color painted designs for review and approval by the client.
EverGreene Architectural Arts
Once a design is approved, the rondels will be hand painted by a professional muralist executed full‐size in EverGreene’s studio on West 31st Street and installed in the Richard Rogers Theater. There are two primary rondels, each about 6’ in diamete
EverGreene Architectural Arts
EverGreene Architectural Arts
To implement the decorative scheme that EverGreene developed, almost every square inch of the theater had to be repainted. Here, an EverGreene painter puts on the finishing touches in the lobby.
EverGreene Architectural Arts
EverGreene Architectural Arts
The completed proscenium arch displays recasted and gilded elements. The decorative finish scheme harmoniously reflects a historically inspired color palette.
In addition to restoring the original color palette, two round murals have been installed in the upper corners of the stage wall and gold leaf has been applied throughout the theatre, including the proscenium. Restorers, who were removing over 20 coats of paint from the theatre, also discovered cherubs throughout the proscenium, which shine anew thanks to the renovation.
Modern updates include replacing all 1,319 seats in the auditorium, as well as expanded restrooms.
The theatre was renamed for Broadway composer Rodgers in 1990.
The new production of Romeo and Juliet, which stars Orlando Bloom ("The Lord of the Rings") and Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad (Stick Fly, The Trip to Bountiful) as an interracial pair of young lovers in Shakespeare's tragedy, began previews Aug. 24. It officially opens Sept. 19 under the direction of David Leveaux.
