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Atlanta, GA Aug. 11- 16, 2009; The Fox
Topic Started: Jan 28 2009, 09:20 AM (566 Views)
mouser
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August 11 - 16, 2009

Posted Imagecourtesy of Allyn

The Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 881-2100

TICKETS: $25 to $68

SEATING CAPACITY: 4678


SEATING CHART: Posted Image


THE VENUE :

Posted Imagecourtesy of cinematreasures.org


Atlanta's Fox Theatre was designed in the late 1920's as headquarters for the 5,000-member Shriners organization.

It was a beautifully outlandish, opulent, grandiose monument to the heady excesses of the pre-crash 1920's, a mosque-like structure complete with minarets, onion domes, and an interior decor which was even more lavish than its facade.
The Fox opened as the Great Depression began. After 125 weeks of talking pictures and elaborate stage entertainment, it declared bankruptcy. Revived after temporary city ownership, it scraped by during the 1930's.

Under strong management The Fox prospered as one of Atlanta's finest movie houses from the 1940's through the 1960's. Occasional live entertainment by name artists and the Metropolitan Opera Company's 20-year annual spring performances brought The Fox some of its greatest moments of glory.

The time of the movie palace finally ran out around 1973. Television, suburban flight and a changing movie industry took patrons elsewhere. Film distributors required month-long commitments for first-run films. While this was easy for suburban theaters holding only 500 seats or so, it presented a problem for the massive Fox. With almost 4,000 seats, it could complete a run in less than a week. The Fox was reduced to showing second-run movies to dwindling audiences.

The Fox faced yet another threat: the relentless growth of metropolitan Atlanta. Almost sold and demolished to make way for SouthernBell's headquarters, it was rescued through the efforts of Atlanta Landmarks, Inc., a non-profit organization of interested, energetic and committed Atlantans. Their four-year "Save The Fox" fundraising campaign opened the hearts and purse strings of individuals and corporate donors.

Under Atlanta Landmarks' ownership, The Fox was once again put on a sound financial footing as a multi-purpose performing arts center. In 1976, documents were submitted qualifying The Fox to be designated a National Historic Landmark.

Posted Image

The moment Atlanta Landmarks took control of The Fox, a restoration program began. An army of volunteers went to work cleaning the interiors for the first benefit concert. Volunteer labor has been a significant ingredient in the restoration ever since.

As time passed, the work required skilled artisans to make the auditorium and exotic ballrooms attractive enough to draw the large audience and quality shows necessary for success.

In 1987, a second fund raising campaign was launched to "Fix The Fox." It successfully raised $4.2 million to improve safety code compliance, provide access for the handicapped, better equip the building to operate efficiently and preserve it structurally.

To date, more than $20 million has been spent in the restoration project. The Fox boasts its own in house Restoration Staff made up of highly skilled artisans directed by an expert in Historic Preservation. The Restoration Staff is fully engaged in restoring and preserving the significant architectural features of the Fox in an authentic manner, including the decorative surfaces, the masonry and cast stone exterior, the furniture collection, and the archive of artifacts and documentation.
The Fox stands today as a fiercely protected landmark and a nationally acclaimed theater; having survived depression, mortgage foreclosure, bankruptcy, competition, television, real estate development, and above all, age.

The Fox is an impeccably intact and aggressively preserved Landmark that has been designated a National Historic Landmark (the highest national ranking), listed on the National Register of Historic Places.




Posted Imagecourtesy of http://www.foxtheatre.org/tours.htm


HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS:

http://www.foxtheatre.org/restaurants.htm Restaurants

http://www.hotels-rates.com/hotels/locations/Atlanta/GA/usa/355/#trafficLogID=537952363&visited=true&clickingLogId=72577277 Hotels


DIRECTIONS:

I-75 South I-85 South

75 South- Exit at North Avenue, Left at end of ramp. Turn Left at 3rd traffic light (Peachtree Street). The Fox Theatre is 1 block, on the left.
85 South- Exit at North Avenue, Left at end of ramp. Turn Left at 3rd traffic light (Peachtree Street). The Fox Theatre is 1 block, on the left.


I-75/85 North & I-20 GA 400 South
75/85 North (I-20 to 75/85 North). Exit at the West Peachtree/ Spring Street exit. Go to Peachtree Street (2 blocks); turn Left; The Fox Theatre is 2 blocks, on the left.
400 South to 85 South. Exit at North Avenue exit; Turn left at end of ramp. Turn Left at 3rd traffic light (Peachtree Street). The Fox Theatre is 1 block, on the left.





POINTS OF INTEREST:


1. Mighty Moe Organ ( In the theatre )

Posted Imagecourtesy of Mike Portman

History of Pipe Organ

The Organ was valued at $400,000.00 in 1974. Its value today is incalculable.
It is the giant Möller theater organ Mighty Mo, that is the Fox Theatre's crown jewel.
This irreplaceable relic of movie theater lore is a masterpiece of organ design,
capable of producing sound as delicate as a dainty piccolo to wall-shuddering
accompaniment for a battle scene. From Beethoven to Sousa, Mighty Mo has no
rival in ability and versatility.

Mighty Mo was custom-made for the Fox Theatre in 1929 for the then astronomical
price of $42,000.00 by M. P. Möller Inc. of Hagerstown, Maryland. It's the second
largest theater organ in the world with 42 ranks, four manuals and 376 stop tabs,
having been surpassed in size — but not melodic beauty — around 1933 by the
58-rank Wurllitzer at Radio City Music hall. There are 3,622 pipes, spread out over
five chambers, ranging in size from a ball point pen to 32 feet tall and big enough
around for a man to stand in.

The wind required for the organ is supplied by a blower which is powered by a
75-horsepower motor. This electro-pneumatically operated instrument
is so vast and complex that it has real instruments in it such as a marimba, xylophone
and glockenspiel. The Theatre's grand piano can be remotely played from the
organ's keyboard.

Mighty Mo can produce sounds like a clarinet, trumpet, saxophone and all other
orchestral instruments, as well as sounds like thunder, a fire bell, chimes and a
steamboat whistle.

By 1954, Mighty Mo was in such a state of neglect, it just quit. In 1963,
Joe Patten, The Fox Theatre's retired technical director — who had fallen
in love with this grand and complicated instrument, collaborated with organist
Bob Van Camp and a few members of the American Theatre Organ Society
to restore the organ. With financial support from the Fox, over the course of nearly
9 months, Patten spent hundreds of hours painstakingly rewiring the organ with 36,000
feet (nearly seven miles) of new wire, rebuilding the entire organ from the inside out.

The organ has been entertaining audiences since its reintroduction to the public on
Thanksgiving Day that same year. Patten maintained it up until his recent retirement,
and continues to oversee its care as a volunteer. His records and technical wizardry
assure that Mighty Mo will be singing loud and clear for future generations of theater
organ enthusiasts.

It takes enormous skill and musical virtuosity to play this behemoth, and organists
consider a performance on Mighty Mo the pinnacle of their career. Bob Van Camp was
the house organist for more than 25 years. When he died, Patten and Atlanta Landmarks
board member Robert L. Foreman Jr. sprinkled his ashes in the attic over the
organ chambers.

2. The New American Shakespeare Tavern

Posted Image

499 Peachtree St NE ~ Atlanta GA 30308 ~ Midtown
404-874-5299


The New American Shakespeare Tavern® is unlike other theaters. It is a place out of time; a place of live music, hand-crafted period costumes, outrageous sword fights with the entire experience centered on the passion and poetry of the spoken word. With an authentic British Pub Menu and a broad selection of Irish ales and premium brews, the Shakespeare Tavern is a place to eat, drink, and nourish the soul. Read what our actors, directors and staff have to say about the work we do at The Shakespeare Tavern on our blog :
http://www.shakespearetavern.blogspot.com/

Posted Image


MEDIA:


1; Atlanta Sunday Paper

Sunday, August 09, 2009


Taylor Hicks

The Quick Q&A

Taylor Hicks in GREASE
Larry BusaccaTaylor Hicks, winner of the fifth season of “American Idol,” stars as “Teen Angel” in “Grease” at the Fox Theatre Aug. 11-16. For tickets, call 800-745-3000 or visit www.foxtheatre.org.

Tell us about your new album, “The Distance.”I think it’s a representation of me as an artist and of who I am right now. I’m really excited to be able to write and perform with such great musicians.



Were you a “Grease” fan growing up?
I think we’ve all seen the movie at definitely one point in our lives, so I was totally a fan growing up.



When did you become interested in Broadway?
Well, I actually had been offered some roles previously, and I have always been interested in live performance, but I was nervous … let me take that back, very nervous taking a Broadway role right off the bat. I’ve done so much live performing, and it’s so much more. But my role is a great fit for me.



Are you pumped about your role as “Teen Angel”?
I do like it. I think it’s a great role for somebody as an introduction to theater and acting. It has gotten my feet wet. It’s a good starting point.



What’s next?
Well, I think probably touring the record and the possibility of more Broadway. Who knows? Television—it depends. This is also the best time to have made an album. I’m performing my new single after every “Grease” show. It’s a great way for fans to see me as a live performer and an actor.—Meghan Kotowski

http://www.sundaypaper.com/More/Archives/tabid/98/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4360/Taylor-Hicks.aspx

2. http://www.examiner.com/x-2202-Atlanta-Unique-Arts-Examiner~y2009m8d12-Grease-is-the-word-Review

Grease is the word! (Review)

August 12, 1:59 AMAtlanta Unique Arts ExaminerMonica Hill




There's a first time for everything and last night, at the Fabulous Fox Theatre was a night of many first. Like, Taylor Hicks, an American Idol winner, who took the stage in Grease, as Teen Angel, of course, here in Atlanta, for the first time. In which, he also made his Broadway debut. Another first timer for Grease, a musical production from the 70's about teen life in the 50's, was the music from the original movie soundtrack added to the play.

The crowd at the Fox was pumping with anticipation from the opening to the curtain call. There were even faithful Grease fans dressed in the traditional Sock Hop attire. How Cute?! Grease, has always delivered to an audience of musically and theatrically crazed fans. So, there's no first there. Especially, when it's roots involved John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, in their primes. Owwww! What else can I say, these two were a hot pair, everyone knows it. To say the least about the leads in last night's performance, they didn't come close.

John Travolta's follow up, Eric Schneider, shared the same good looks and great voice as his predecessor, but, unfortunately couldn't dance a lick. And, Sandy was just flat and boring. I know Danny was meant to be a laid-back cool-cat and Sandy was supposed to be square, but, I kept waiting for him to bust a move or for her to bring life to the role, but, nope--- never happened. That didn't matter very much anyway, every one else in the cast stole the show! Who says the lead is always the star of the show, not this time.

Grease, the actual musical, was the star of the show! Which, come to think of it, brought a better total performance, by eliminating all the "celebrity glare". Taylor Hicks serenaded the audience with the tune, "Beauty School Drop-out", played a little harmonica, and broke out! Perfect. His fans chose to stay around after the show to get autographs from the pop idol and check out his new CD, Distance. The true Grease fans were not bomarded with the American Idol era of stardom within the show, it only added some flare.
My favorite character was DJ Vince Fontaine, who opened the show with Bebop mementos and an interactive song and dance warm-up with the audience, followed by a subtle speech on theatre etiquette. " Don't forget to turn your cell phones off ---- and no recording of any kind!" says the DJ, with the same nervous leg twitch as Elvis and overly-gelled Mohawk as the Fonz. Nice touch. During the last Scene when the cast sang the classic, "Your'e the One that I Want," I fell in love all over again. Overall it was a blast down memory lane, and I loved it!

Grease is the word and the Lighting (yes, fellas, the car was in the show too) won't stop until after August 16th, so get your tickets swift jack!

3. Artzapalooza
Arts reviews & critiques


Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Chang chang ah chang-itty chang shoo bop

Grease... had me a blast!

First, before I forget, here's a BIG tip if you're one of those that likes to sneak out when the play ends and the clapping starts: Don't. Do not. Stick around.

Hint as to why: Later today I'm heading to the store to buy Taylor Hicks' new CD.

OK, now that I have that out of the way, here's my thoughts on Grease at the fantastically Fantabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta.

It was good, you know what I mean? (are you saying, tell me more, tell me more?)

What a way to celebrate the end of our long summer nights and the beginning of school!

'Nuff, I'm going to stop trying to pull in the catchy, memorable lyrics from songs and just give you the scoop. It was fun, even before the 8 o'clock official start of the play. Another hot tip: Do not be late, be in your seats early or you'll miss some cool action.

I would recommend that you not see the movie prior to seeing the play as it's hard not to make comparisons. The play is slightly different from the movie version, although similar enough that you'll enjoy even if you're a movie-version Grease fanatic.

Also, if you're like me, you "hear" the songs as sung by John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and friends when watching the play. They're not identical and shouldn't be. Think of Travolta and Newton-John on music steroids. They have polished, strong, voices and they shine.

This is a sanitized version of the original stage musical Grease by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. If you'd like to find out more about the history and understand why the play differs just a bit from the movie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_(musical) and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_(film).

Taylor Hicks of American Idol fame does a superb job as "Teen Angel", the role originally played by Frankie Avalon. He won't be in ever show, so if you're going because Hicks name is included, be sure to check. I noticed that some of the people around us where there simply because Taylor Hicks had a role. It's great that his participation introduced some to the theater. I heard a number of people say they wished he had a bigger role or had more songs in the musical. His inclusion was definitely a high point!

Grease is great. One of the many things I loved was the interaction the actors had with the audience. By the end of the show even the most staid, regardless of age, were clapping and moving with the music.

I'm always awed when I encounter great talent. Everyone in Grease deserves a standing ovation. I highly recommend the show --- tickets are still available and well worth the expense.

My laugh lines are a little deeper, the music is still running through my head and I have a new CD to purchase...

4. RODNEY HO'S video from the ATLANTA PERFORMANCE 8/12/09





SOUL PATROL MEMORIES :

Posted Imagecourtesy of rajrae

1. roanpony

I just got back from a packed house at the Fox. The show was wonderful and the audience was great with their applause and cheers. Everyone had a great time and you could tell it was going to be a great night when Vince Fontaine came out to warm up the audience. Everyone was there to have fun and it showed.

The entire cast was wonderful...I can't say enough good things about them. It was clever, funny and good for the soul. There's just enough songs from the movie to keep you toe tapping and singing along (silently of course) and enough new songs to keep it ...well new. The audience applaused and cheered after every number and at the end gave them a standing ovation.
....Taylor was in fine voice tonight..it was strong and wonderful. I love the way the lighting shone on Taylor and moved to the music (it's like an encore after one of his concerts)..the place was really rocking and it was a wonderful sight to behold.


Posted Imagecourtesy of rajrae

2. ddurst16 tweeted:

Taylor Hicks as teen angle in Grease LIVE= freakin hilarious...

Posted Imagecourtesy of ScottStowe

3. Jenni Jac

although I couldn't see the balcony, the lower level looked to be about 90 to 95% full, and when Dominic (Vince Fontaine) came on for his opening, he mentioned the place was "almost full". For a weeknight with school just starting the day before, that was excellent attendance.

....Well out pops Teen Angel from the cone. The crowd roars..I cannot emphasize the effect that the costume has when he moves under those stage lights. It's like a fireworks display

Posted Imagecourtesy of roanpony

4. CitysearchATL tweets:

Can Grease get any better? It can when you throw former Idol winner Taylor Hicks in the mix! Holy awesome! Tonight - Sun @TheFoxTheatre.


5. LindaT

Driving by the Fox Theater as the afternoon matinee was letting out and seeing people walking down the street with their Grease merchandise. When I saw a little girl with an "I Love Taylor" shirt on I rolled down the window and asked her if she liked Taylor. She ran over and turned around and said "look, look he signed my shirt!!!" She was so excited!

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