Heinz Hall facts for kids
Heinz Hall
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| Address | 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
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| Coordinates | 40°26′34″N 80°00′05″W / 40.4427°N 80.0015°W |
| Public transit | Wood Street, Gateway |
| Owner | Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra |
| Capacity | 2,676 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | September 10, 1927 |
| Renovated | 1971 |
| Expanded | 1995 |
| Architect | Rapp & Rapp |
| Designated: | 1971 |
Heinz Hall is a special place for performing arts and music in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's located at 600 Penn Avenue in the city's Cultural District. This beautiful building is the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) and the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra.
About 200 shows happen here every year. The hall has 2,676 seats. It was first built in 1927 as a movie theater called Loew's Penn Theatre. Later, it was updated and reopened as Heinz Hall in 1971.
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History of Heinz Hall
From Movie Palace to Concert Hall
Construction for what was then Loew's Penn Theatre began on January 6, 1926. It was finished in 1927. The famous movie businessman Marcus Loew hired the architects Rapp & Rapp to design this grand movie palace.
The main lobby was very impressive. It had a 50-foot-high ceiling, huge columns, a marble staircase, and fancy chandeliers.
Saving the Theater
Like many old movie theaters from the 1920s, Loew's Penn Theatre faced tough times in the 1960s. More people were watching TV or going to new theaters in the suburbs. Also, it cost a lot to keep the old building running.
The theater closed in 1964 and was planned to be torn down to make a parking lot. But Henry J. Heinz II, along with others, bought the building. They wanted to save it and create a new home for the Pittsburgh Symphony.
The Big Renovation
From 1967 to 1971, the building went through a huge renovation. The main structure stayed the same, but the entrance was moved forward. The large chandeliers were fixed, and their crystals were replaced.
The inside was changed from colorful designs to a bright white and gold look. Special sound panels were added to make the old movie theater sound great for concerts. The back of the building was also made longer, adding almost 30 feet to the stage. This new space included dressing rooms, a music library, and rehearsal rooms.
Heinz Hall officially opened on September 10, 1971.
More Updates Over Time
In 1982, the Heinz Foundation helped create Heinz Hall Plaza and added a four-story section to the hall.
Then, in 1995, Heinz Hall had another big renovation that cost $6.5 million. This four-month project included a new orchestra shell, better sound equipment, and heating and air conditioning upgrades. The walls were repainted, and the seats were fixed up.
Why Heinz Hall Exists
Heinz Hall almost didn't happen! There were plans for a much larger $40 million cultural center in another part of Pittsburgh. However, those plans changed when a new stadium for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates became the top priority.
In 1967, the Howard Heinz Endowment paid $850,000 for the closed movie theater. The Heinz family also provided millions of dollars for the renovation. Their goal was to create a performing arts center for all local performance groups.
Henry John Heinz was very active in improving downtown Pittsburgh, especially the Cultural District. He supported the arts, healthcare, education, and historic buildings. He was known for expecting the best in everything he helped with.
Making it Shine Again
Fixing up the old movie palace was a more practical idea than building a brand new arts complex. Even though much of the old Loew's Penn look is still there, the updated Heinz Hall has a simpler, yet still elegant, design.
The renovation took three years and cost $10 million. Most of the work was done by local skilled workers. For example, it took two local craftsmen 18 months just to apply the 24-karat gold leafing. The original chandeliers were rebuilt with new crystals. Once a year, these chandeliers are lowered for cleaning.
The orchestra pit can hold 80-85 musicians and moves up and down with a hydraulic lift. A new five-story section was added to the back of the building. This made the stage 25 feet longer and added more dressing rooms and soundproof rehearsal spaces. The main rehearsal room is the same size as the stage, so the orchestra can practice in their concert setup.
The theater's original sound, made for movies, was improved for live music. Heavy curtains were removed, and special sound panels were added. This helps the sound travel well throughout the hall.
The sound quality is generally excellent, especially in the more expensive seats in the balcony. Heinz Hall was a big improvement for the Pittsburgh Symphony compared to their old home, the Syria Mosque. Another great feature is that almost every seat in the house has a good view of the stage.
Grand Opening
William Steinberg led the Pittsburgh Symphony at the first concert in Heinz Hall on September 10, 1971. Two days later, the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO) had its first show there. Many famous people attended the opening, including Charlton Heston, James Earl Jones, and Gregory Peck. H. J. Heinz II gave the dedication speech.
Outdoor Spaces and Events
In February 1978, plans were announced for a garden next to Heinz Hall. The building that housed Woolworth's was torn down to make space. The Garden Plaza opened on May 7, 1982.
During spring, summer, and early fall, the Garden Café is open for lunch on weekdays. During show intermissions, guests can visit the plaza to see the waterfall and a water sculpture called Quartet. Another elegant space for events is the Mozart Room, which can be reserved for dining before a show or for private parties.
In 2010, the sidewalks and entrances were improved. In 2011, the roof was fixed as part of a $20 million effort to keep Heinz Hall in great shape.
Special Performances and Moments
Heinz Hall is known for its beauty and excellent sound, making it a wonderful place for concerts and shows. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra offers many types of music, including classical, pop, and children's concerts.
When the orchestra isn't performing, Heinz Hall hosts Broadway shows, speaker series, and special events.
Many important people and events have taken place at Heinz Hall. A memorial service for Pittsburgh native Fred Rogers was held there in 2003. In 2004, local musicians, including special guest Bruce Springsteen, held a Flood Aid concert to help people affected by Hurricane Ivan. The concert on December 2nd was completely sold out.
The hall also hosted the Vote for Change Tour on October 1, 2004, with performances by James Taylor and The Dixie Chicks. In 1995, Marvin Hamlisch conducted a pops concert that was shown on PBS. A part of the Doo-Wop music series was also filmed on the stage.
Heinz Hall has even appeared in movies! It was briefly seen in the 1991 movie Bob Roberts. It made its bigger movie debut in the 1998 TV movie The Temptations. More recently, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Steelers player Max Starks "competed" in the Broadway musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Composer Burt Bacharach was on NBC's Today show from the Heinz Hall stage on December 5, 2006.
In 2012, Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio performed his music with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. They played songs from Phish and Trey's own orchestral pieces. They ended the night with a version of The Beatles' Abbey Road finale.
On September 25, 2021, Heinz Hall reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic. It celebrated its 50th anniversary with a performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Before Heinz Hall: The Exchange Hotel
Before Loew's Penn Theatre was built, a hotel stood on the same spot. This was the Exchange Hotel in the 1840s. The famous writer Charles Dickens and his wife stayed there for three days in March 1842. Around 1872, the hotel changed its name to the St. Clair Hotel. It expanded before 1882 and then became the Anderson Hotel from about 1890 until the 1920s.
See also
- Theatre in Pittsburgh
