Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-09-04
a CREDIT TO THE CITY.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE NEW NET
ROPOLITAN THEATER.
The Finest Home OF the Drama on
the Coast-A Theater of Which
any City Might be Proud.

any City Might be Proud.
Sacramento can to-day boast of the most
beautiful temple devoted to the dramatic
art outside the great metropolitan centers
of the Atlantic aboard. Indeed, it is
doubtful whether-except in point of ca
pacity New York or Boston can lay
claim TO q theater mere complete II all its
details, and more tastily and beautifully
finished than the new Metropolitan Theater
of this city, which is to be opened to the
public on Monday next The Baldwin, in
San Francisco-on which large sum of
money was expended-and which has here
tofore enjoyed the reputation of being the
now drop into second place, except that it
has more tiers of seats and affords greater
opportunity for display of decorative art.
But, taken all in all, the new Metropolitan
is entitled to the palm for general ex-
cellence. This new temple of the MUSES.
must not be conlounded with the old one
of the same name, which-despite its de-
| fects - was intimately associated with
the early history of the drama in Cal
| ifornia, and on the boards of which some
of the brightest stars in the theatrical fir
mament achieved their first successes, or
laid the foundations of their brilliant ca
reers. Wherefore its name has become
hallowed by association with the dead past
and. though it has itself faded into history,
the memory of
ITS FAST GLORY
VIII be cherished not only by s. the oldest
inhabitant' of the city, but also by scores of
veteran actors and actresses, who have in
later years achieved fame in their calling
before the footligfits of the leading theaters
of the world. From its RUNS, and with the
prestige of the old Metropolitan's name and
fame, has sprung the present beautiful tenn
pie of the drama, to which reference is above
made-the new Metropolitan Theater of
Sacramento. Thanks to the enterprise and
public spirit of the lady who owns this fine
property, the Capital City can truthfully
| Law claim to one OF the handsomest and
| most comfortable theaters on the CONT
nent In order to properly describe the in
terror finish of the new Metropolitan,
which is Just approaching completion one
| should be schoOled in the intricacies of
architectural forms and terms of express
| sion, as well as in the decorative and many
of the mechanical arts. 1t must be seen to
be appreciated, and even then the eye can
not, within the space OF few hours, take
i'll comprehensive view of the place, with
all the details attending the accomplish
ment of such perfect and elaborate work
manship. In this enterprise no expense
has been spared. The best decorative talent
| and professional and mechanical skill at
| tainable has been availed of, and the result
has been such a happy combination and
harmony of the several branches of work
/ that it would be difficult for the most ex-
acting to find aught of which to complain.
FRESH AND NEW.
The entire interior of the building is
new, from basement to ceiling. The main
entrance, which was formerly at the south
east corner OF the auditorium, has been
changed to the center. The passage-way
| from the street is 16 feet in width, and
divided into two veStibules, by which
means all draughts of air from without can
| be cut off from the interior. The floor of
| the outside yestibule is laid in tiles of hand
some design, and has two low steps of
marble leading to the inner. The walls
| and ceiling are deliberately but tastefully
| frescoed in bold designs, while the finish Of
| the inner vestibule is more delicate. The
| walls of the latter are elegantly tinted, and
| the ceiling is embellished with grace
| full and poetic designs, including the EN-
! blems of music, etc. At the termination
of the main entrance is wide lobby, run
! ming the entire width of the auditorium
On the left is a broad stairway leading to
| the gallery, and at the right-hand, or east
end Of the lobby, are dressing and toilet
! rooms for ladies and gentlemen. At either
end of the lobby is nine-foot entrance TO
| the dress-circle, while in the center, and
| directly in front of the main entrance, are
| doors opening upon the five stalls, arranged
| in European style, in the rear of the dress
| circle. There is 10 central aisle in the lat
| ter, but one leading from each of the
| corner entrances down to the parquet.
THE DREss-cIECLE SEATS
| Are the most comfortable of all the mod
ern styles. They are made of dark ma
hogany wood, and upholstered in garnet
| plush, both at the backs and on the bot
toms, the latter being provided with ex-
cellent springs. The seats tilt backward,
as well as fold up in front. The rows are
wide apart, enabling persons to pass be-
tween them when the seats are occupied
without necessitating the occupants rising.
On either side of the parquette are two ele-
gantly fitted-up proscenium boxes, each
capable of accommodating eight persons
comfortably. Above the front of each is
suspended a handsome lambrequin of silk
plush and old gold japanese silk, the colors
of which harmonic charmingly with those
of The surrounding decorations. The rail-
ing dividing the dress-circle from the par
quette is upholstered in garnet plush, and
the entire walls of the back and sides are
frescoed in gold, gray and blue, producing
q most pleasing effect upon the eye.
The gallery is also provided with patent
folding. chairs, and its finish is such that
it compares favorably with the dress-circle
in most first-class theateIs. One thing is
noticeable-the entire stage can be seen
from every seat in the house. both above
and below. Three windows on each side
OF the gallery provide excellent means of
ventilation. Beside the two main en-
frances to the dress circle, already referred
to. there is door on each side, midway
between the rear and the stage, which also
connects with the lobby. From tie gallery
there are three doors and two stairs that
can be used as a means Of egress in case of
emergency. The ceiling of the auditorium
is perhaps the most elaborate and brilliant,
yet harmonious, piece of fresco decoration
on the coast. The center represents
the sky, around which are floral
and other graceful designs, brill
liant i'll coioring and artistically
blended This branch of the work is done
after the renaissance style. Above the drop
curtain, and confronting the audience, is a
magnificent dTcllleCttiTdl lTUUJ, Win IlgureS
of cherubim in bas relief and bronze sur
mounted by a well-executed portrait of
Shakespeare. On either side is a repre-
sentation of suspended banner bearing |
fall-size picture of goddess. Notwith-
stumbling the handsome appearance Of the |
interior of the theater as presented from |
the auditorium,
THE EFFECT FROM THE STAGE
Is even more pleasing. From the latter |
standpoint the richness of the upholstery |
and mahogany woodwork contrast finely |
with the brilliant colors of the frescoing
and the display of gliding below the
proscenium boxes and around the front of
the gallery The stage itself is 40 feet deep
by GO in length, and is entirely new.
There are fifteen dressing-rooms in all, |
some of them beneath the stage and some
above, and spacious green-room has been
added on the west side of the stage. Four
doors provide abundant means of egress |