Jaystarr's Special Photo Thread on THE FABULOUS FOX THEATER in Atlanta.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 9:42pm

This is Part One of the Four Part Series on My Special Photo Threads on Beautiful & Historic Theaters Across America in 2008. First we'll go to the South to discover the moorish-inspired, The Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia then head to New York City for a suprise tour of a historic theater in April then well fly to the west coast to San Francisco to the Spanish-inspired Cathedral The Orpheum Theater in June and lastly well wrap up our tour in the midwest... to Chicago..to the majestic Chicago Theater in October......

This is dedicated to theater lovers and BWW's posters from Georgia & the South...and my tribute to the touring companies...going from one city to another to bring Broadway Across America.. These are the great theaters they performed every night.....


P A R T 1 :


The Fabulous Fox Theater
660 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA.

Opened in Dec. 25, 1929
Design: Moorish
Seats: 4,950

EXTERIOR


























































BOX OFFICE & THE HALLWAY TO THE MAIN LOBBY




























MAIN LOBBY (for Orchestra)
















2ND FLOOR LOBBY (for Mezzanine)
















2ND FLOOR LOBBY's APERTURE to ORCHESTRA




STAIRS TO 3RD FLOOR LOBBY


3RD FLOOR LOBBY (for Balcony)




Are you ready to go inside?

THE PROSCENIUM

The Blue Ceiling is a blue sky with stars & movable clouds (projections) which are not visible on my camera






Believe it or not? They have an organist playing before the show (located at stage left by the orchestra pit)


THE BOX SEATS




THE MEZZANINE & BALCONY

-the ceiling is dominated by an Arabian Tent.






-the design of the tent's edges




-view of the tent from front mezzanine


-this is the last row in the balcony


FRONT MEZZANINE


VIEW FROM TOP BALCONY

(right)


(left)




Detailed decorations in Mezzanine & Balcony (using my flash)




THE ORCHESTRA

(view of the aperture from the orchestra)
















Goodbye, Fox!


THE PROGRAM


PHOTOS COURSTESY of GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY






and this is what's I was doing this weekend ... I was in Atlanta .. I will post my special tribute to ALLIANCE THEATER-winner of 2007 TONY for Best Regional Theater (Atlanta's Regional Theater) at the end of this thread...Wow ..It took me almost 3 hours to download, resize, organize and post this... Lastly Special Thanks to the Staff of THE FABULOUS FOX THEATER for giving me permission to take photos so I can all share you the beauty of their theater.
Hope you guys like it.. Thanks.

J*







Updated On: 1/22/08 at 09:42 PM

[bestfreakinshoes]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 9:54pm

Awesome, Jaystarr! I've been to concerts at the Fox Theater, but never got to see a show there. I think the organist is sort of a Southern tradition--there is an old theater in the town I grew up in (in the south)--which shows old movies and they always have an organist play before the movie.

Funny that you were in Atlanta when they were having their most wintery weather, though.

[The Boy From Ohio]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 10:10pm

I been to the Fox many times, it truly is a beautiful theater. Nice Pics. BTW at the show's I've seen there they have played the organ pre-show.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 10:25pm

That theater is beautiful; but if you really want to see a beautiful theater you should try and see a show at Shea's in Buffalo. Truly amazing inside.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 10:45pm

Great work Jaystarr. Guess you and I and a few others are slowly turning this site graphic.

[alterego]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 11:05pm

Great shots jaystarr! Two thing worry me though - they sell popcorn in a live theatre, and CATS is STILL touring?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 11:10pm

Oh I LOVE the Fox! It's gorgeous, and I just love the history of it. It's a cavarn though. I sat up on the top balcony of Dreamgirls and I felt like I wasn't even watching a play. It was so far up. But It was a gorgeous view. Can you post a cast list of "Cats"? I think my friend is still in it, but I'm not sure. Also, did you get a chance to see "Sophisticated Ladies"? If so, what'd ya think? Would you recommend it? I'm trying to decide if I want to see it when I go next weekend.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 11:42pm

That theatre is beautiful.

Why do you take so many of those pictures tilted?

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 12:09am

The organ is stage right, when you're facing the stage its to your left.

Thank you for posting these! You definitely did the beauty of the theatre justice. It is a barn though.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 8:30am

Funny..how it seems like we brought the cold & snow with us from Boston To Atlanta.

Most of the places like MLK memorial was closed Sunday bec. of the Severe Winter Weather they had... which we think its funny bec. the snow accumulate 1/2 inch and in Boston..that's flurries..(you can see some fluuries in my exterior pics of the FOX THEATER) but the Deep South are not used to that..

Yeah- I was blessed with this trip to see THE FOX THEATER (Cats) and visit THE ALLIANCE THEATER which we saw SOPHISTICATED LADIES which in my opinion was probably one of the best musical & dance revue Ive seen for the longest time. The last time was FOSSE try-out in Boston (1999) I definitely recommend this show.. Alliance Theater a worthy recepient's of the 2007 TONY AWARDS for BEST REGIONAL THEATER for serving Atlanta. I will post my pics later this week.

We also went to the HIGH MUSEUM for the LOUVRE ATLANTA exhibit which some of the museum work are aon loan to the HIGH and also to the ATLANTA HISTORICAL MUSEUM..seeing some of the rare Civil War Uniforms, Artilleries and Memorabilia.
I enjoyed it truly being an avid enthusiast of American History plus... memorabilia of Leo Frank, though we did not make it to MARIETTA, GA. I was originally planning to visit some of the tombs of the characters featured in the PARADE musical.

and yes.. they are serving popcorns in THE FOX THEATER.

Generally..it was a fun trip.

J*



Updated On: 1/22/08 at 08:30 AM

[1937]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:48am

I live in Atlanta, so I've been to the Fox many times. I've seen Annie twice, All Shook Up, Cats (last year's tour), and High School Musical. I have tickets to see The Drowsy Chaperone there this Friday and I'll be seeing a Dolly Parton concert in March. It's so beautiful, but I have this bad habit of staring at the pretty, blue ceiling instead of the show!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 10:13am

The PROGRAM for CATS-the musical












COMING SOON ! (will be attached to this thread later)

My Special Tribute to ALLIANCE THEATER Recipient of 2007 TONY AWARDS for BEST REGIONAL THEATER....(where THE COLOR PURPLE had its world premiere)










Updated On: 1/22/08 at 10:13 AM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 12:47pm

bestfreakinshoes- Thanks .. I did not know that playing the organ is a Southern tradition... it was fun to see it. Also.. they let us in at 7pm for the 8pm show...which is unheard of any Broadway house which they usually open the doors 20 mins before the show...

IdinaBellFoster- yup.. I will keep that in mind...the Shea Theater in Buffalo...I already have theaters line in for 2009 (if I still have energy?) My main goal was to concentrate on different parts of our country (like Northeast, The South, The Midwest, The West Coast, etc..) so If I do 1 in the Northeast- i wont do another one...The theaters line up for 2008-are 54th Theater in Seattle, WA ( with a Oriental Design) The Fox Theater in St. Louis, MO (with Siam-Byzantine Design) for now...
I will just FINISH the remaining three theaters ( NY Theater, Orpheum Theater & The Chicago Theater) I did not realize it was a HUGE undertaking to cover until I did FOX..but it was a great experience...The New York Theater will NOT be a Broadway house bec. its hard to get permission to photograph a Broadway house..but it will be a historic theater and everyone knows that theater. Clue: The Theater has produced a lot of big names in the music industry..

alterego- Yup.. its the 25 Year Anniversary Touring Company of CATS.

Rentboy- go see SOPHISTICATED LADIES at Alliance.

and thanks again everyone ... Pls be aware that It make at least 2 mins to download ALL the pictures.. I hope this does not froze your computer. I did not realize it has 94 pictures posted...I have taken 351 pictures in total of the FOX THEATER...the most I have taken in a single theater...and coming from Boston in which three of our major theaters (THE COLONIAL, THE WANG & THE OPERA HOUSE) are design after Renaissance Art..to see this with a different motiff and VERY EXOTIC was really a breathe-taking experience!

I feel like a pilgrim going to these beautiful & historic theaters!

J*








Updated On: 1/22/08 at 12:47 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 1:46pm

Jay, does Sophisticated Ladies have a story? Or is it just like a concert? And thanks for posting. I really appreciate it.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 2:41pm

^^^

No. It does not have a story ..Its basically song and dance spectacular of Duke Ellington's music. It has 2 Acts-2 hours and 10 mins long (with 1 intermssion). I am going to post the program, info. -and the whole nine yards (like my 10/10 Reports) but basically a tribute to Alliance Theater in Atlanta. (not a review)

Duke Ellington's SOPHISTICATED LADIES is like FOSSE (the musical) as I said earlier.. it was probably one of the best REGIONAL THEATER I have ever seen. The actors are all Africa-Americans -which are ALL very talented, great dancers possesed the most beautiful voice I have ever heard onstage. Two of the male dancers have awesome heavenly bodies with killer abs..and just beautiful! worth the $45.00 @ we paid. We sat in the Orchestra ROW D CENTER.. The band is on a elevator stage on the orchestra pit that elevates up and down....when needed... JAZZ Band... just jammin'...

The musical is divided into Several Suites:
1. The Cotton Club Suite
2. The Savoy Suite
3. The Cotton Club
4. Flight to Timbuktu
5. The Harlem Studio Suite
6. The Blues Suite

- None of the parts are boring...costumes are just incredible...Broadway quality.. I definitely recommend this... and I definitely I wannathank you guys (from Atlanta) for recommending this Regional Company...to see .. it was the HIGHLIGHT of my trip.( I actually enjoyed SOPHISTICATED LADIES than CATS ) I wish they REVIVE this production on Broadway .

I cannot expressed my happiness and satisfaction with this production-its beyond words.

I will post more pictures on the Alliance Theater later... I'm just kinda tired from my trip (2 days) visiting with friends, going out late, seeing two shows and visiting the HIGH museum, Georgia Aquarium (which I ate my words bec. everthing was closed bec. of the 20 degree weather and I have no choice bec. I was with company-mostly guys that I met in New Orleans last year) Coca-Cola World, Centennial Park & Atlanta Historical Museum was crammed into Sunday bec. it was all closed Saturday afternoon due to the WINTER weather.. LOL! I was disapointed NOT having a chance to visit the Martin Luther Memorial park & Marietta, GA.

J*






Updated On: 1/22/08 at 02:41 PM

[jerseyboyslover]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 2:49pm

Funny..how it seems like we brought the cold & snow with us from Boston To Atlanta.

So thats how it all got here.

I love the fox theatre! I saw West Side Story there in the summer of last year and I will be seeing The Drowsy Chaperone tomorrow!

[nealb1]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 3:20pm

Thanks so much for the amazing pics of The Fox Theatre! The building looks very similar to The Murat Theatre in Indianapolis - very similar.

[morosco]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 3:28pm

Am I right in remembering that the Arabian Tent ceiliing isn't fabric at all but instead plaster painted to look like fabric? The illusion is remarkable.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 3:33pm

^^ youre right. Its a plaster. The illusion is amazing.. The inside of the theater feels like you are in an Arabian tent gazing at the blue sky with stars and clouds (the clouds are moving bec. they are projections) you'll be amazed as you enter inside..quite a remarkable experience...you'll find yourself looking at the sky and the decorations during the show...lol! I actually went to see the THEATER not the show...

My problem though was the sky that's dim-ly lit during the performance.. I asked the usher, if they ever turn off the lights off during the show...and he said no... that's the effect...feels like youre outside underneath an Arabian tent watching a show at dusk..I do feel that its quite distracting to the Broadway show...bec. you tend to focus on the sky..not the show!

J*




Updated On: 1/22/08 at 03:33 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 5:00pm

Thanks Jay - sounds like I'll be seeing Sophisticated Ladies as well. Did you get your tickets in advance?

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 5:21pm

No. I bought it on the spot for $45.00 bec. I was running out of time. I checked the Atlanta thread: (that was posted a while ago)
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=953531#3419790

and per jaybrrd- I could get a discounted ticket at Lenox mall. I went to Lenox mall and 'totally' forgot about it... -that's the mall outside of the city proper near to the Atlanta Historical Museum?...I actually wanted to see PEACHTREE BATLLE too at the Ansley Park Playhouse, but I did not have much time.. I was there Friday night till Monday noon.. It's good that the flight was only 2 hours! (Atlanta Hartfield to Boston Logan)

When I go to Chicago next fall. I will definitely plan it better bec. I want to see a Steppenwolf Production too.

J*

BTW- Why are all your street named Peach? as in Peachtree St? West Peach Tree? Peach Street? Its good that the Fox, Alliance & High Museum are all in Peachtree St NE. LOL !





Updated On: 1/22/08 at 05:21 PM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 10:43pm

2007 Recipient of TONY AWARDS for Best Regional Theater

Alliance Theater of Atlanta, GA. has premiered three broadway shows-The Color Purple, Aida & The Last Night of Ballyhoo. Now in its 39th season and the recipient of the 2007 Regional Theater Tony Award is considered the leading theater in the Southeast. Alliance Theater has almost 200,000 patrons and members.

The Alliance Theater is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization commited to new work as demonstrated with the launch of the Kendeda Graduate Playwrtting Competition.

The Alliance Theater is housed at The Woodruff Arts Center with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Theater next door.

Website:
https://www.alliancetheatre.org/performance.aspx?id=678&subsec=CS

THE WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER


















Alliance has two theaters in Woodruff Arts Center:


A. The Alliance Theater -with 800 seats


B. The Hertz Stage -with 200 seats




Program for Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies

[Eos]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 11:18pm

Those Fox Theatre pics are great.
It's amazing how much it looks like one of its sister Fox Theatres here in St. Louis.

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 11:43pm

You're going to be doing Shea's in Buffalo? I live just south of Buffalo so I've been to the theatre plenty of times and maybe working at a production intern for when Wicked is there this summer. It's an unbelieveable theatre, it's HUGE too haha.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 11:51pm

Very few things make me nostalgic about Atlanta, but this thread is one of them. I have been to both the Fox and the Alliance more times than I can count. These pictures definitely take me back. Thanks for posting!