Among the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina,New Orleans lost many of its arts venues. One of the most important, the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, was materially damaged and flooded. In January 2009, however, the Theater returns in triumph.
The Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
Originally named the New Orleans Theater of the Performing Arts, the venue opened in January 1973 to an operatic performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa di Requiem. The theater was envisioned as something of a replacement for the old French Opera House, which had burned down in 1919. In 1993, it was renamed after the beloved gospel singer from New Orleans. It has since been the home of the New Orleans Opera Association, as well as the Louisiana Symphony Orchestra (prior to that organization's acquistion of the Orpheum Theater). The New Orleans Ballet and various Broadway theater touring companies often staged musicals and other plays there.
Hurricane Katrina
The theater was flooded with 14 feet of water in the basement, damaging and/or destroying virtually every fixture. The roof, stage, windows, etc., were also destroyed. The Opera and Symphony, which also lost the Orpheum to flooding, were obliged to perfom at various auditoriums such as Tulane University and the Convention Center, using simpler programs and stage settings.
The Restoration
The restoration is now complete, after an expense of $27 million dollars of local tax money. It has been improved with state of the art lighting and sound systems, a new orchestra shell, as well as a new digital movie screen that will allow for premieres of movies shot in New Orleans, such as the wonderful "Curious Case of Benjamin Button." The theater, which has beautiful crystal chandeliers, seats 2100 people.
Louis Armstrong Park, in which the Theater is located, is also being restored and refurbished. Onsite parking is available.
Grand Reopening
On January 8, 2009, the Theater will have its grand reopening with no less personages than the great Placido Domingo and Itzhak Perlman. In keeping with our multicultural heritage, there will be Jazz bands and local musicians such as Allen Toussaint and Kermit Ruffins, singers Irma Thomas and Yolanda Adams, and many more.
More Info
For more information on the theater, check out the website.
