H Street Theatre/Wells
Fargo Pavillion, Sacramento
 |
|
H Street Theatre/Wells
Fargo Pavillion, Sacramento
Photo by Dean J. Birinyi
|
The California Musical Theatre and Sacramento Theatre Co.
have long envisioned improved and expanded facilities for
presenting live performances under a 2,500-seat tent and other
events at its intimate, 300-seat theater. After years of planning
and $16.5 million later, they got their wish.
The facility's 28,000 sq. ft. was completely renovated while
the old Music Circus tent was demolished to make room for
the construction of a 17,000-sq.-ft., Teflon-coated fiberglass
pavilion. Other renovated areas included the Sacramento Theatre
Co. offices, box office, theater lobby and restrooms.
The key challenge to completing this 14-month-long project
entailed doing the work while the "show went on."
Construction crews even changed their lunch hours to accommodate
matinees, plus Kitchell, the project manager, placed noise
monitors at strategic locations so construction would not
interfere with rehearsals during the day.
"The skill with which Kitchell choreographed
the construction activities for the H Street Theatre
project was worthy of a Broadway show. Both Sacramento
Theatre Co. and the Music Circus productions took place
as scheduled right in the midst of construction-and
extraordinary success. Bravo!"
-Richard Lewis, executive
producer, California Musical Theatre
|
The renovated theater used wood, masonry and steel construction
with new interior finishes. Construction of the pavilion consisted
of masonry, steel, tent fabric and wood.
The Wells Fargo Pavillion also upgraded its audience comfort
by installing new air conditioning and new seats-traditional
theater seating-to replace the old canvas chairs. By removing
the tent poles, the new design now allows a clear view of
the stage from every seat. Technological improvements-including
an expanded lighting grid and a variable-level turntable >>
on stage-increased the "artistic vitality" of each
production, according to the Sacramento Theatre Co.
For the shared area between both theaters, Kitchell and Flintco
built twice as many restrooms and the entry plaza and box
office to replace the undeveloped gravel lot. Kitchell and
Flintco also expanded the Music Circus Subscriber Lounge and
renovated the Members' Courtyard.
The Development Team
Owner: Sacramento Regional Arts Facility Financing
Authority (a joint project of the city and county)
Building tenants: California Musical Theatre, Sacramento
Theatre Co.
Architect: R.F. McCann & Co.
Construction and project manager: Kitchell CEM Inc.
General contractor: Flintco Inc.
Return to the list
|
print this page
e-mail this page
