NEWSLETTER MARCH 2008
This is an in-between newsletter. The next regularly scheduled newsletter is spring and is scheduled to be out April 1, 2008.
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
The free first Monday brown bag organ concerts will start on a regular basis on April 7, 2008 at 12 noon. It will be one hour of organ favorites played on the Alabama Theatre Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ including sing-a-longs, some sacred selections and even a request or two and will feature our newest segment, Name That Tune, with prizes. Bring your lunch and pick up a soft drink at our concession stand and enjoy the fun.
NEW ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS
In March we will complete the reseating program which will mean all 2,300 seats will be in like new condition with the last 800 courtesy of the Linn-Henley Charitable Trust. Thanks to Alabama Power Foundation, our dressing rooms on stage right will be redone with marble counters and floors, new ceramic tile showers and best of all, air conditioning. This will complete the dressing room project so all 15 dressing rooms will comply with the Actors Equity requirements.
Soon to come are new drapes at the back of the auditorium to replace the 15 year old drapes that have been ruined by people pulling the drapes back to peek into the auditorium. The new drapes will be designed to avoid this problem.
HI-DEF COMES TO THE ALABAMA
Because of the move to video that Hollywood is making, the staff of the Alabama Theatre made a decision last summer to address this problem. The Alabama will always provide a film image as long as film is available, but to continue to provide the wide variety of film titles as we have done in the past, when necessary we will present some titles in video.
For the Summer Film series you will see an indication as to whether the presentation is film, video or HI-DEF. If the film is presented in HI-DEF it will also have Digital Stereo sound.
HILL CENTER PROGRESS
It actually looks like we might actually see the end of the construction of the Hill Center project. This project, which started in January of 2007, was supposed to be a 6 or 7 month project and cost $600,000. But, here we are 13 months later and a cost over run of $200,000. But the end of the rainbow is in sight. The finishing touches are being made, the city inspections are going well and the room is actually looking good.
When complete, the room will have a small stage, a video projector, a power point computer, a 6 X 10 ft. video screen, a top of the line sound system, elevator access from the street and access to and from the theatre and stage. We will also have a catering kitchen, a 3,500 square ft. meeting room and a 3,500 square ft. rehearsal space. Both the meeting room and the rehearsal space will have a catering area and access to and from the theatre as well as elevator access from the street. While the banquet hall is scheduled to open in April or May of this year, all rooms will not be finished until funds are available.
THE ALABAMA THEATRE NEEDS YOUR HELP
After almost 15 years of being the head ushers of the Alabama Theatre and providing the many ushers for the wide assortment of events held at the theatre each year, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis have had to slow down some and to help them we want to ask you to volunteer to be an usher for the shows. All you need is a white blouse or shirt, dark slacks or skirt, a flashlight and comfortable shoes. For your effort you will be able to see the show and enjoy a free soft drink.
SUMMER MOVIES
The 2008 Summer Movies will be posted on the web site May 1st. Keep watching our Website for new events and additional information of the exciting improvements.