In Saturday’s (9/8) Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania), John J. Moser writes, “Like a classic reworked for a new audience, Allentown Symphony Hall on Friday premiered a $700,000 makeover of its lobby that kept its historic elements, but with exciting new twists. Venue supporters got the first look at lobby walls, refurbished but intact, now covered by inch-thick frosted glass that adds a contemporary gleam. Officials said that glass will glow with LED light, the color of which can be changed by event to not only highlight the inside space, but draw attention from outside. … Other renovations are more utilitarian. Half of the lobby’s south wall was broken out to create room for three modern ticket windows instead of just one, 40 feet of concession and merchandise booths and, behind them, airy staff office space lit by windows and glass doors. ‘The lobby has been lovely and historic, and not adequate for today’s ticker buyer,’ Symphony Hall Executive Director Sheila Evans said. … The renovations kept Symphony Hall closed to public performances through the summer. But Evans said the public-access part of the work was completed on time for Symphony Hall’s Sept.15 season-opening show ‘Wicked Divas,’ which will feature vocalist stars of the Broadway show ‘Wicked.’ … Evans said the project stayed on its $700,000 budget.”
Posted September 10, 2012
