The Ziegfeld Theater presents a newly remodeled facade
The Ziegfeld Theater's new facade will be officially revealed to the community Feb. 6 at the opening night of "Fiddler on the Roof."
The Ziegfeld's facade near completion.
The Ziegfeld Theater's new facade during construction.
The Ziegfeld Theater's new facade during construction.
The Ziegfeld Theater is aiming to give South Ogden a face-lift with a remodel of its building facade, located on the corner of 40th Street and Washington Boulevard.
“It’s really going to change the way 40th Street looks at night,” said Caleb Parry, who co-produces the Ziegfeld with his wife, Morgan Parry.
The theater will reveal its new and improved look at a “grand reopening” event during the opening night of its production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” The event will also act as the kickoff to the theater’s new season, which includes a series of renowned musicals such as “Les Miserables,” “West Side Story” and “Hairspray.”
Caleb Parry said a few improvements have been made inside the theater and the big “Ziegfeld” sign out front has been redone with LED backlighting.
“Since 1948 all the historical pictures of that facade have basically been the same,” he said. “It was hideous, it gave South Ogden a weird look.”
The Ziegfeld is doing the remodel not only for recognition, but also to improve the look of that side of town, especially with how good the Burch Creek Mercantile — which sits right next to the theater — is looking, Caleb Parry said
See the sign all lit up in a video shared by the Ziegfeld’s Facebook page below.
One thing the theater is doing to pay homage to and maintain the history of the theater during its remodel is keeping the “theater” sign — it will just be redone with LED neon lights, Caleb Parry said, to match the new sign.
“What the new facade will do is really draw the people to a place where the theater is really being cared for. … Up until this point it’s kind of looked like an abandoned dollar theater, which is what it was, really,” said Ziegfeld Theater artistic director Rick Rea.
The facade remodel was made possible through donations from members of the community and a successful Kickstarter campaign last spring.
“Like everything else in the theater, it’s been a community effort,” Rea said.
A special performance by guest artist J. Michael Bailey, who will be starring in the theater’s production of “Les Miserables” in April, will precede the first performance of “Fiddler on the Roof.” A small gala with a cast meet and greet, refreshments and drinks will follow “Fiddler” and conclude the event. Caleb Parry said there will be “kosher food and food for the gentiles as well.”
Contact reporter Sonja Carlson at 801-625-4229 or scarlson@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter @sonjacSE and like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SonjaCarlsonSE.
PREVIEW
- WHAT: The Ziegfeld Theater’s Grand Reopening
- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6
- WHERE: The Ziegfeld Theater, 3934 S. Washington Blvd., Ogden
- TICKETS: $12-$17, 855-ZIG-ARTS or www.theziegfeldtheater.com
