CenterStage Highlights
The new, digitized sign at Richmond CenterStage.
The antique detailing at the end of the rows has been maintained at the Carpenter Theatre.
One of four new wine bars and concession stands at the new Carpenter Center.
The new stage at the Carpenter Center.
Okay – politics, aside, Richmond CenterStage is opening this weekend. Eight years later, $73.4 million in renovation and what do you get?
We break down the info you really want to know, like the wine bars, the bathrooms, and the parking. You know, the important things, people.
(We’re kidding, sort of. Have you ever spent the entire intermission at the Carpenter Center waiting for the bathroom? We’re just saying.)
The Box Office: Has gone from two cramped windows at the very front of the Carpenter Center’s front doors to four big box office windows on the side of 6th Street plus a concierge/info desk for questions. The old box office created huge bottle-necking issues in the old space and the new version aims for easier flow.
The Seats: Wider seats and more leg room. The seats have been completely replaced with wider bottoms and more lumbar support. To do this, the seating has gone down from 1850 to 1800 seating. At that size, the new Carpenter Theatre can’t attract certain big Broadway shows, which is a definite sticking point for many arts-lovers who hoped the new venue could attract those kinds of shows. But fans will notice that the original antique detailing has been preserved at the end of each row. The seating is also ADA compliant and there is additional wheelchair seating.
The Wine Bars: They busted out the walls where the old shops used to be on Grace Street and swapped them out with luxe wine bars. These are a huge upgrade on the old concession stands that used to be stuck in the lobby. Visitors will find four wine bars total. The downstairs wine bars feature red banquettes and glass windows facing Grace Street. Plus parrot murals behind at each wine bar, based on a parrot detail in the lobby.
The Bathrooms: Ladies, you’ll appreciate this one. The ladies bathrooms have gone from nine stalls to 36 in a brand, new powder room area. Upgrade! Bathrooms can be found downtstairs and on the upstairs level. Same for the men.
Parking: There’s a public lot directly across from the Carpenter Theatre at 6th and Grace Street offering 124 open spaces. It’s an open air lot and very handy for handicapped parking. There’s also a deck at 6th and Franklin Street with 94 spaces. And a parking deck with over 600 parking spots behind The National about three blocks away. Parking prices range from $4-10. A map of the parking lots can be found here. Or get there early and circle the streets. You can park as long as you want if you snag a street spot after 6 p.m.
For the Performers: The quarters – and the stage – used to be pretty tight at the old Carpenter Center. Now, the stage and backstage area have increased. The width of the stage has gone from 76 feet to 102 feet. Depth has increased from 29 feet to 49 feet. In the old space, there were no loading docks. Now there are loading docks that can fit a tractor trailer and three trucks. Plus, dressing rooms have gone up to 20 to accommodate up to 200 performers. Which means, bigger productions and better quality.
Coming Attractions: Here’s where we hit a hitch. After the Grand Opening, the next big show is Musiq Soulchild on Sept. 18, The Oak Ridge Boys on Sept. 19 and David Copperfield on Oct. 13. Um, $73.4 million dollars in renovation and all we get is….David Copperfield? Really?
SMG is the company handling the booking for Richmond CenterStage. SMG is the same booking agency that books acts for the Landmark and the Coliseum. And we can tell with the same-old, same-old national acts.
The upcoming schedule is also heavy with local performers such as the Richmond Symphony on Sept. 26 and Richmond Shakespeare on Oct. 1. Which is great – both are huge assets to the Richmond community. They've deserved to have a home for a long time.
But what about some buzzworthy, big name acts? Organizers tell us that local performers got first dibs at the schedule and that touring acts will continue to be added throughout the year.
Okay, sure. We’ll be waiting, CenterStage…
Until then, find out more with our Richmond CenterStage special package.
For more photos of the interior, check out the CenterStage Slideshow.
And for a guided tour, check out our video tour of CenterStage.
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