Radio City Music Hall

Alexander Smallens became the theater's musical director in 1947,[102] and Raymond Paige assumed that position three years later.[103] The theater's sound system was upgraded in mid-1953, enabling the venue to show 3D films without intermission.[104] Radio City disbanded its in-house male chorus in 1958, instead hiring choral acts from around the world.[105] The theater also hosted benefit parties for Big Brothers Inc. from 1953[106] to at least 1959.[107] Through the next decade, Radio City was successful regardless of the status of the city's economic, business, and entertainment sectors as a whole. It remained open even as other theaters such as the Paramount and the Roxy closed.[108][109][110] A committee led by Radio City's director, Russell V. Dowling, selected the theater's live acts and other performances.[111]

radio city music hall

Download File: https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinourl.com%2F2ui8Op&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw0PXH9kf3u48oAF2g-UxAWQ

Radio City Music Hall Ballet Company dance captain Rosemary Novellino formed the Showpeople's Committee to Save Radio City Music Hall.[147] Lieutenant governor Mary Anne Krupsak, who had once been a Rockette, was also involved in the preservation efforts.[137][147] The alliance made hundreds of calls to Rockefeller Center's manager; The New York Times described that the callers "jammed the switchboards" there.[148] The Rockettes also protested outside New York City Hall.[140] The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) held public hearings on whether to designate the theater's interior as a city landmark in March 1978. Of more than 100 speakers, most argued in favor of landmark status, but Rockefeller Center president Alton G. Marshall said that "landmark designation may well be the last nail in the Music Hall's coffin."[135][149] In total, more than 100,000 people supported designating Radio City as a landmark.[137][150] The LPC designated the interior as a city landmark on March 28.[137][150][151]

By December 1997, another renovation was planned to further restore and modernize the venue.20 Completed in 1999, the renovation was led by architect Hugh Hardy of Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, and involved the installation of 6.5 miles of new gold, blue, and red neon for the block-long marquee of the music hall, covering the ceilings with 720,000 sheets of aluminum and gold leaf, and installing 5,901 new plush salmon-pink seats.21 In addition, the restoration team either replicated, cleaned, or repaired artwork, appointments, lighting fixtures, wall fabrics, carpets, and furniture throughout the entire building.22 041b061a72