FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 15, 2007

Curtains go up at Music Hall

Celebration to mark performance venue's renovations

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Convention and Entertainment Facilities Department and the Capital Improvements Management Office on Feb. 23 will rededicate the Music Hall at Municipal Auditorium.

The ceremony will start at noon, giving the public its first opportunity to see the Music Hall's $13.4 million face-lift. Parking will be available in the Barney Allis parking garage at 13th Street and Wyandotte Street.

Mayor Kay Barnes, City Manager Wayne A. Cauthen, Councilman Chuck Eddy, 6th District, and design team representatives from Holzman Moss Architecture of New York and Helix Architectural Services of Kansas City are scheduled to attend.

This is the most recent major renovation completed to the building since 1981 and the renovations were executed with the experience of the theatergoer in mind. The reconfigured auditorium, now filled with more comfortable seating, will give the audience member a better, unobstructed view of the stage. Lobby restrooms were updated and several modifications were made to better accommodate all patrons, including additional handicap accessible space in the auditorium, and the reconfigured ADA accessibility ramp in the main lobby.

An additional goal of the project was to expand the Music Hall stage capacity to better accommodate shows with larger equipment. This series of modifications includes a new exterior roof tower and a recessed back stage wall that provides an additional 15 feet.

"We hope these upgrades will further maintain the reputation Music Hall has developed as a world class venue among performers and audiences alike," said Oscar McGaskey, director of the Convention and Entertainment Facilities Department. "These changes will help us provide Kansas Citians with the same level of great shows they have come to expect."

Music Hall was constructed in 1935 and is nationally renowned for its rich art deco ornamentation. Taylor Kelly LLC, the project's selected prime contractor, began demolition work for this renovation project in July 2006 and will be substantially complete by the end of the month to accommodate the opening night of "Stomp!" on Feb. 27.