The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Stanley Theatre) is a theater and concert hall located at 237 7th Street in the Cultural District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Designed by the Philadelphia architectural firm Hoffman-Henon, it was built in 1928 as the Stanley Theatre. The former movie palace was renovated and reopened as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in 1987.[4]
History
Animated sign from the old Stanley Theater on the Benedum Center
The Stanley Theatre, built at a cost of $3 million, opened as a deluxe movie palace February 27, 1928, with seating for 3,800 people (it now seats 2,885). It was designed by the architectural firm Hoffman−Henon who were best known for their design of 35 theaters in the Philadelphia area. The Stanley Theatre was the largest movie theater in Western Pennsylvania. Operated by the Stanley Warner Theatres circuit division of Warner Bros., it was Pittsburgh's main first run house for all Warner Bros. film releases.
In 1976, the Stanley was purchased and renovated by the Cinemette Corporation to be operated as a movie theater. In 1977, DiCesare Engler Productions bought the theater.
September 23, 1978, Frank Zappa played two sets at the Stanley Theatre.
Live rock and roll concerts presented through 1984.
The Grateful Dead performed four shows at the venue, and reggae musician Bob Marley performed his last live concert there in 1980, before his death in 1981.[6] The only known photographs from the show were featured in Kevin Macdonald's documentary film Marley.[7]
Prince kicked off his Controversy Tour in 1981 at the Stanley. The rock band Kansas chose the Benedum Center to host its 40th Anniversary Fan Appreciation Concert on August 17, 2013, which all the original members were to attend.
The Stanley Theater was named "Number One Auditorium in the U.S." by Billboard[8][9] several times during the DiCesare-Engler years.[10][11][12]
Restoration
Facade of the Benedum Center
On September 25, 1987, after a $43 million restoration was completed, the Stanley reopened as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts. In converting the former movie palace into a full performing arts center, a new building including an extension to the stage and support facilities was built at the rear of the theater. The interior was largely preserved and restored to its original design, with the addition of a new acoustical baffle covering the original proscenium.
Chandelier in the Benedum Center
The centerpiece of the auditorium is the large chandelier in the dome above the balcony. It weighs 4,700 lb (2,100 kg), is 20 feet (6.1 m) high by 12 feet (3.7 m) wide. Its restoration was dedicated to the late H.J. Heinz II.
The center has hosted several PBSdoo-wop television concert specials including Doo Wop 50. The TV game show Wheel of Fortune taped two weeks of shows at the theater for the first two weeks of their 16th season in 1998.
HBO's Boardwalk Empire mentioned a tap dancing act as having played "the Stanley" in Pittsburgh for three weeks during its season 4 premier.
The Benedum Center was featured prominently in the 2006 mockumentary filmPittsburgh directed by Jeff Goldblum. The film follows Goldblum's appearances in the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera production of The Music Man staged at the theater.
^Scott, David Meerman (2012-04-20). "Bob Marley and me". Web Ink Now. Retrieved 2015-07-30. Marley's last show was a critical aspect of the film and there was no video or photo record... except mine.
^Billboard Magazine. Top Venues. TIA-50.22 December 1979.
^Billboard Magazine. Top Venues. TIA-46. 20 December 1980.
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