The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts facts for kids
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| Former names | Bushnell Memorial Hall |
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| Address | 166 Capitol Avenue |
| Location | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Coordinates | 41°45′45″N 72°40′49″W / 41.76250°N 72.68028°W |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | Mortensen Hall: 2,800 Belding Theater: 906 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Corbett, Harrison and MacMurray |
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts is a famous place in Hartford, Connecticut, where people go to watch amazing shows. It used to be called Bushnell Memorial Hall. This special building is managed by a group that doesn't aim to make a profit. It's known as Connecticut's top spot for performing arts.
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Discover The Bushnell Building
The Bushnell's main part, Mortensen Hall, was finished in 1930. It was built by Dotha Bushnell Hillyer. She wanted it to be a "living memorial" for her father, Reverend Dr. Horace Bushnell. He was a minister, thinker, and leader in Hartford. Later, in 2002, another theater called the Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater opened.
Mortensen Hall: The Main Stage
Mortensen Hall is the original and largest theater at The Bushnell. It can seat 2,800 people. The famous architects Corbett, Harrison, and MacMurray designed it. They also designed New York's Radio City Music Hall. The outside of Mortensen Hall looks like a traditional Georgian Revival building. But inside, it has a rich Art Deco style.
The first stone for the building was placed on October 16, 1928. Inside a sealed copper box placed with the stone were items like a city directory, newspapers, and writings by Horace Bushnell. The original building and Mortensen Hall cost about $2.8 million to build. They were finished under budget!
Mary Seaverns, Horace Bushnell's granddaughter, said the outside of the building showed her grandfather's traditional side. The Art Deco inside showed his modern ideas. The hall is named after William H. Mortensen. He became the Managing Director of The Bushnell at just 25 years old in 1927. He stayed in that job for 40 years. Mortensen was also the Mayor of Hartford from 1943 to 1945.
Mortensen Hall has some really cool features:
- Drama Mural: This is the largest hand-painted ceiling mural of its kind in the United States. It hangs from the hall's roof. Barry Faulkner and three other art scholars painted it in 1929. It cost $50,000 to create. The mural is huge, measuring 187 feet long and 40 feet wide.
- Austin Organ: Mortensen Hall has a massive Austin Organ with 5,600 pipes! The Austin Organ Company in Hartford made it in 1929 for $45,000. The pipes are hidden behind sections on both sides of the theater. This organ was fully fixed up in the mid-1980s. That repair cost over $500,000.
The Belding Theater: A Newer Stage
The Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater is a smaller theater with 906 seats. It's named after Maxwell Belding and his family, who were long-time supporters. This theater was designed by Wilson, Butler, and Lodge. It first opened its doors in 2002. The Hartford Symphony Orchestra often performs here.
Working with Broadway: Elephant Eye Theatrical
In 2005, The Bushnell teamed up with four other performing arts groups. They formed a group called Five Cent Productions, LLC. This group then joined with Stuart Oken and Michael Leavitt to create Elephant Eye Theatrical.
Elephant Eye Theatrical is a company that creates new musicals for Broadway and other stages. They find ideas, put together creative teams, and help fund the shows. Some of their productions include The Addams Family and An American in Paris.
Working with Broadway: Independent Presenters Network
The Independent Presenter’s Network (IPN) is a large group of 40 Broadway presenters, theaters, and performing arts centers. The Bushnell is part of this network. Members of the IPN bring Broadway shows to over 110 cities across North America and Japan. The IPN has helped produce several Broadway shows. These include Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Color Purple.
Famous Performers at The Bushnell
Many famous artists have performed at The Bushnell over the years:
- On December 9, 1962, Sammy Davis Jr. performed a special one-night show.
- In 1967, the British rock band "The Rolling Stones" played at the venue.
- On October 20 and 21, 1967, Judy Garland performed for two nights. She sang with a 26-piece orchestra.
See also
- List of concert halls
- Music of Connecticut
