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 |
| 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 performances in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is a concert hall located at 600 Penn Avenue in the city's Cultural District. This beautiful building is home to 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 Loew's Penn Theatre, which was a grand movie theater. 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 of the building began on January 6, 1926. It was finished in 1927. The famous movie businessman Marcus Loew hired the architects Rapp & Rapp to design this amazing movie theater. It was known as Loew's and United Artists' Penn Theatre.
The main lobby was very impressive. It had a tall, arched ceiling like those found in Venice. There were huge decorated columns, a marble staircase, and fancy chandeliers made of bronze and crystal. Silk drapes added to its grand look.
Saving the Theater from Demolition
Like many old movie theaters from the 1920s, Loew's Penn faced tough times in the 1960s. More people were watching TV or going to new theaters in the suburbs. Also, keeping up such a big building was very expensive. The theater closed in 1964. There were even plans to tear it down and turn it into a parking lot.
But some important people stepped in to save it. Henry J. Heinz II and Charles Denby, who led the Pittsburgh Symphony Society, worked together. They got help from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Allegheny Conference, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh. They bought the theater to create a new home for the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Major Renovations for a New Purpose
From 1967 to 1971, the building went through a big renovation. The main structure stayed the same, but the entrance was moved forward. It got a new 40-foot-high arched window. The large, one-ton chandeliers were fixed up with new crystals.
The old colorful decorations were changed to a bright white and gold design. Parts of the auditorium were replaced with special panels to improve the sound. This helped turn a movie theater into a great concert hall. The back of the building was also made bigger. This added almost 30 feet to the stage. It also made space for dressing rooms, a music library, and rehearsal rooms.
The Grand Opening of Heinz Hall was on September 10, 1971. In 1982, the Heinz Foundation helped create Heinz Hall Plaza and a four-story addition. In 1995, Heinz Hall had another renovation. This $6.5 million project included a new orchestra shell, better heating and air conditioning, fresh paint, and fixed seats.
Why Heinz Hall Was Built
A New Home for the Arts in Pittsburgh
Heinz Hall almost didn't happen! There were plans for a huge $40 million arts complex in another part of Pittsburgh. But that plan was put aside when a new stadium for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates became the top priority.
The Howard Heinz Endowment bought the empty movie theater in 1967 for $850,000. This theater was known as Pittsburgh's "Temple of the Cinema." The Heinz family also paid for the multi-million dollar renovation. They wanted to create a performing arts center for all local performance groups.
Henry J. Heinz II's Vision
Henry John Heinz was a very active person in developing downtown Pittsburgh. He especially helped the Cultural District. People called him a "generic philanthropist," meaning he gave money to many different causes. He supported the arts, healthcare, education, and historic buildings.
Carol Brown, who led the Cultural Trust, said that H. J. Heinz "expected the best." He was a strong supporter of the arts, even while running the famous company his grandfather started.
Renovation Details
Turning an old movie theater into a performing arts center was a smart idea. It was much cheaper than building a brand new complex. While much of the old Loew's Penn beauty remains, the new Heinz Hall has a simpler, yet still elegant, look.
The $10 million renovation took three years. Most of the work was done by local skilled workers. For example, it took two local craftsmen 18 months to apply the 24-karat gold leafing. The theater's 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. It also added more dressing rooms and soundproof rehearsal rooms. The main rehearsal room is the same size as the stage. This lets the orchestra practice in the same setup they use for concerts.
The original theater's sound was made for movies and vaudeville shows. To improve it for concerts, heavy drapes were removed. Special sound panels were added throughout the auditorium. These changes help the sound travel well, making Heinz Hall a great place for music.
The sound quality is generally excellent throughout the hall. The most expensive seats in the dress circle of the balcony have the best sound. Heinz Hall was a big improvement for the Pittsburgh Symphony. Their old home, the Syria Mosque, did not sound or look as good. Heinz Hall also has great views from every seat. In 1995, another $6.5 million renovation made visits even more enjoyable.
Grand Opening Celebration
William Steinberg led the Pittsburgh Symphony at the hall's first concert on September 10, 1971. Two days later, the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO) had its opening night. It was hard to find newspaper articles about the opening because the Pittsburgh Press was on strike.
Many famous people came for the event. These included Charlton Heston, James Earl Jones, Agnes de Mille, and Gregory Peck. H. J. Heinz II gave the dedication speech.
Additions and Improvements
In February 1978, plans were announced for a garden next to Heinz Hall. An old building 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 breaks, guests can visit the plaza to see the waterfall and a water sculpture called Quartet by Angela Conner.
Another special place is the elegant Mozart Room. You need a reservation, but it's open for dining before a show or for private events. The Mozart Room and the Garden Café are run by Common Plea Catering. In 2010, the sidewalks and entrances were improved. In 2011, the roof was fixed as part of a $20 million renovation project.
Notable Events and Performances
Heinz Hall is known for its beauty and excellent sound. It is a great place for concerts and shows. The PSO offers many types of music, like classical, Pops concerts, and special shows for children. When the orchestra isn't performing, Heinz Hall also hosts Broadway tours and speaker series. It's also a popular place for special events.
Heinz Hall has welcomed many important people and events:
- In 2003, a memorial concert for Pittsburgh native Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers) was held after he passed away.
- In 2004, local musicians and special guest Bruce Springsteen performed a Flood Aid concert. This helped local residents after Hurricane Ivan caused floods. The concert on December 2nd was completely sold out.
- The hall hosted the Vote for Change Tour on October 1, 2004. This event featured performances by James Taylor and The Dixie Chicks.
- Marvin Hamlisch conducted a four-part pops concert in 1995 that was shown on PBS.
- A part of the Doo-Wop music series was also filmed on the stage.
- Heinz Hall was briefly seen in the 1991 movie Bob Roberts, directed by Tim Robbins.
- It truly made its movie debut in the 1998 TV movie The Temptations.
- More recently, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Steelers player Max Starks "competed" in the Broadway musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
- Composer and songwriter 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 tribute to The Beatles' Abbey Road album 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.
See also
Theatre in Pittsburgh
