Steinmetz Hall Performing Arts Theater Hosts First Show in Downtown Orlando

>> A MONUMENTAL DAY FOR THE WORLD OF THE ARTS IN DOWNTOWN ORLANDO. >> TODAY MARKED THE GRAND OPENING OF THE NEW PERFORMANCE ARTS THEATRE, STEINMETZ HALL, INSIDE THE DOCTOR PHILLIPS CENTER. IT IS LISTED AS THE ONLY THEATER OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD SAID TO PRODUCE A PERFECT SOD.UN THIS IS WHERE WE MET NOW VELI BEFORE THE FIRST PERFORMANCE TONIGHT. WAX IT HAS BEEN LONG IN THE MANUFACTURE. IT WAS THE VISN.IO NOW YOU CAN SEE IT HAS BECOME REALITY. ♪ JUSTIT S BACK, RELAX AND PREPARE TO BE WOWED. >> WELCOME. BETWEEN. >> IT’S SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL AND MAGICAL. TO ME, IT LOOKS LIKE STARS IN THE SKY. I LOVE IT. >> THIS FRIDAY, CURTAIN UP, UNVEILS THE NEW ORLANDO PERFORMING ARTS THEATER. >> FOR SNOWBIRDS LIKE US, IT ADDS A HUGE, EXTRA DIMENSION TO CENTRAL FLORIDA. WE ARE DIGREETED TO BE HERE, ARE WE? >> WE ARE. >> THERE IS NO OTHER THEATER LIKE THIS IN THE WORLD, THE ARCHITECTURE PRODUCING THE PEECT RFSOUND, AND THE FLIP FLOORS AND CHAIRS, THE TECHNOLOGY ALLOWING SMOOTH TRANSITIONS, BUT GETTING THERE WAS NOT EASY . THIS WAS A BUILDING THAT WAS HERE 0 YEARS BEFORE COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION TOOK LONGER THAN EXPECTED BECAUSE OF THE RECESSION, BUT THANKS TO THE RELICENT EFFORTS OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, WHAT STARTED AS A VISION IS REALITY. >> WELCOME TO THE NEW AND IMPROVED PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. >> ARTS AND CULTURE ARE THE SOUL OF OUR CITY. >> AREA LEADERS ARE EXCITED WHAT THIS WORLD CLASS ATTRACTION MEANS NOT JUST FOR VISITORS BUT THIS COMMUNITY >> FOR EVERY BOY OR GIRL WHO MAY LIVE JUST WEST OF HERE IN THE PARRAMORE AREA FOR TO BE ABLE TO WALK HERE, TO SEE THIS EASE, TO BE ABLE TO TOUCH IT, TO GIVE IT TO LIFE, I THINK IT’S JUST A HUGE ADVANTAGE. >> SO IN THIS VEINTH, E FITRS PERFORMERS ON STAGE, SOME OF OUR OWN, 250 FROM ORLANDO’S BE.ST >> WE HAVE SUCH A TALENTED COMMUNITY. INSTEAD OF JUST CHOOSING A SINGULAR PERFORMANCE TONIG, HT YOU WILL SEE A WONDERFUL COLLABORATION DIRECTED BY COLE NESMH. IT’S GOING TO BE AWESOME. >> THIS FIRST PERFORMANCE BEGINS TONIGHT AT 7.30 PM. THIS IS JUST THE START OF A TWO-WEEK OPENING CELEBRATION. OTHER PERFORMING INC ARTISTS

Friday marked the grand opening of Steinmetz Hall, the new performing arts theater inside the Doctor Phillips Center in downtown Orlando. “For snowbirds like us, it adds a huge extra dimension to Central Florida,” Kevin Ludlow said. Ludlow was one of hundreds of people who visited the theater during the grand opening. Steinmetz Hall is billed as the only such theater in the world. The space has been designed to produce perfect sound. And the floor and the chairs turn over. The technology allows for smooth transitions from the stage space to the banquet hall. But completing the theater was no small feat. It took almost 20 years to get here, partly because the 2008 recession caused a delay. Steinmetz Hall cost around $240 million. Through the tireless efforts of donors, city and county leaders, the vision has become a reality. “Arts and culture are the lifeblood of our city,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “The building itself is all bricks and mortar, but what happens inside this building for so many people, the memories they create, the sights they see together as a family. ” Area leaders are excited about what this world-class attraction means for not just visitors, but Orange County. “For every boy or girl that lives west of here in the Parramore area to be able to walk here, see this facility, be able to touch it, bring it to life, I think that’s just a huge benefit,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. The premier performers gracing the stage are 250 of Orlando’s finest. “We have such a talented community. Instead of just picking up a singular performance tonight, you’re going to see a wonderful collaboration led by Cole Nesmith. It’s going to be awesome,” said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center. Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, Gospel Liturgical Dance team of Inez Patricia School of Dance, Matthew Fowler & Prado Sisters, Orlando Choral Society, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Raymi Dance, Rico Monaco, SAK Comedy Lab, The 502’s, United Ballet Theater and Wynn Family. The opening performance is the start of a two-week celebration. Other upcoming artists include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London, the Royal Ballet and Jennifer Hudson.

ORLANDO, Florida—

Friday marked the grand opening of Steinmetz Hall, the new performing arts theater inside the Doctor Phillips Center in downtown Orlando.

“For snowbirds like us, it adds a huge extra dimension to Central Florida,” Kevin Ludlow said.

Ludlow was one of hundreds of people who visited the theater during the grand opening.

Steinmetz Hall is billed as the only such theater in the world. The space has been designed to produce perfect sound. And the floor and the chairs turn over. The technology allows for smooth transitions from the stage space to the banquet hall. But completing the theater was no small feat.

It took almost 20 years to get here, partly because the 2008 recession caused a delay. Steinmetz Hall cost around $240 million. Through the tireless efforts of donors, city and county leaders, the vision has become a reality.

“Arts and culture are the lifeblood of our city,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “The building itself is all bricks and mortar, but what happens inside this building for so many people, the memories they create, the shows they see together as a family .”

Area leaders are excited about what this world-class attraction means not only for visitors, but for Orange County as well.

“For every boy or girl that lives west of here in the Parramore area to be able to walk here, see this facility, be able to touch it, bring it to life, I think that’s just a huge benefit,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

The premier performers gracing the stage are 250 of Orlando’s finest.

“We have such a talented community. Instead of just picking up a singular performance tonight, you’re going to see a wonderful collaboration led by Cole Nesmith. It’s going to be awesome,” said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center.

Artists in Friday’s premiere performance include Asian Cultural Association, Bach Festival Choir, Central Florida Community Arts, City of Orlando Poet Laureate Shawn Welcome, Florida Youth Symphony Orchestra , The Inez Patricia Dance School Gospel Liturgical Dance Team, Matthew Fowler & Prado Sisters, Orlando Choral Society, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Raymi Dance, Rico Monaco, SAK Comedy Lab, The 502’s, United Ballet Theater and Wynn Family .

The opening performance is the start of a two-week celebration. Other upcoming artists include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London, the Royal Ballet and Jennifer Hudson.