Restored Historic Landmark to Host Chinese New Year Global Gala

On Saturday, January 7, 2006, for two performances, NTDTV's Chinese New Year Global Gala will visit Boston's historic Cutler-Majestic Theater. The Boston venue features an array of multi-cultural performances from both local and touring groups.

Beautifully restored, the theater rises to the grand occasion. Formerly the Majestic Theater, the theater was purchased by Emerson College in 1983 and renamed for its major restoration benefactor as the Cutler Majestic Theater at Emerson College. Built in 1903, the theater was originally a home for grand opera and the ornate gold filigree eye-candy, exceptional sound qualities and unobstructed view of the entire stage regularly lure enthusiasts to opera productions.

Although reminiscent of 19th century grandeur, technical upgrades place it squarely among desirable venues in Boston. The theater underwent an extensive renovation in the 1990s and re-opened in 2003. The restoration has won national awards for both the quality of the work done and positive community impact.

With a nod to its past splendor, the restoration also keeps in mind modern comforts for its performance venue including wider, more comfortable seats and aisles, safety rails, large restrooms, several refreshment nooks, improved heating and air conditioning, 24-hour ticket sale access by phone or online, large, comfortable dressing rooms, and modern sound and lighting systems.

Lei Xi coordinates the Boston Chinese New Year gala performance and chose the Cutler Majestic for its intimate feel and technical quality. "The Cutler Majestic has everything we wanted for the Boston performance. The lighting and sound systems measure up to standards of the technical team coming with the touring group. The beautiful interior will delight the audience as they enjoy the performances."

Exemplifying the beaux arts style as envisioned by architect John Galen Howard, the restored theater is faithful to the architect's placement of ornate gold leaf with intricately colored washes, plaster grape arbors, pomegranates, and leafy vines, classical pilasters, capitals, and cartouches over 5,000 replica lighting fixtures, marble, scagliola, marezzo, tile, and brass, seating and carpeting replicating 1903 originals, stained glass windows attributed to Tiffany, murals by William deLeftwich Dodge, terra cotta classical façade, and marquee and canopy.

Architect Howard designed the theater with cantilevered balconies, so sight lines are unobstructed. The auditorium is shaped like an inverted bowl or megaphone, curving both out and up from the stage. This carries sound from the stage to all seats so that the acoustics are even and loving throughout. The Majestic was the first to integrate electric lighting into the architectural fabric; earlier buildings had simulated old forms, such as the candelabra, in their fixtures.

Today the Cutler Majestic Theatre is Boston's most popular opera house. It is home to Opera Boston and the international opera producer Teatro Lirico d'Europa, as well as the New England Conservatora Opera Theater. Musicals, dramas, dance, and classical music grace its stage as well. Emerson College bought the Saxon in 1983. It was fully depreciated with a large deferred maintenance budget. The light bulbs in the auditorium were all burned out. The facade and marquee were crumbling. Soon after the purchase, a city sewer blockage filled the main seating level with water. Rain dripped onto the movie screen and sound system. Emerson College began restoration and renewal in August, 1988 and continued until the theater reopened nine months later. Restoration proceeded in phases and was completed in May 2003, just in time for the Majestic's 100th anniversary season. Today nearly 100,000 people will visit the theater this year.

The theater's façade features semi-circular arched entrance portals capped by a Greek wave band and simple cornice molding. At the second level are three recessed bays separated by massive three-story half-round fluted Roman ionic columns. A new marquee, designed to acknowledge the original façade is now listed by the Boston Landmarks Commission.

As visitors past through the lobby, they pass warmly colored marble columns that support the gold-leafed dome centered within the three lobby chambers. Gold-leafed cherubs and masks smile down from the cornices. Gold-toned ornamental iron work accents the stairs and contrasts with the window lights. The lobby boasts six murals with classical themes by William deLeftwich Dodge: a Grecian maiden, an exotic Egyptian and four smaller "lunettes", or panels. Nearly 5000 light bulbs illumine the theater including the "String of Pearls", fixtures intertwined with plaster grape arbors in the arches.

Howard applied not only his personal expression but also his ingenuity and imagination to the Majestic's design. The Majestic was the first Boston theater designed without pillars so that there are no obstructions to sight or sound. Unlike classical concert halls, the auditorium is shaped like a giant megaphone, making it ideal for opera. The second balcony originally had a separate entrance and seating for about 500 with no access to the main section. The balcony now features its own air conditioning, hand rails, and safety improvements.

Lei Xi anticipates exciting performing groups to entertain the audience. "We chose the Cutler Majestic Theater for its beauty, comfort and technical qualities. The audience will thoroughly enjoy the event in this beautifully-restored theater."

The Boston performance of NTDTV's 2006 Chinese New Year Global Gala will present two performances at 2 and 8 pm on Saturday, January 7. Tickets are available at 617-880-9601 (Chinese), 617-481-3178 (English), Toll free: 1-800-233-3123, Theatre: 617-824-8000.

The Epoch Times is proud to join with New Tang Dynasty T.V. and Sound of Hope Radio in co-sponsoring "Myths and Legends," NTDTV's Chinese New Year Global Gala. This article is one of a series meant to introduce this unique and important event.