Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-11-13
FIT FOR THE GODS
The New Powers Grand Opera
House
THE THEATER OF THE STATE
Superbly Decorated and . Revelation ol
the Arast's Taste-DescriP,ion
Of Its Features.

with the other elements and agencies
OF life. 1t was ~ crude in Its inception
as Was civilization in this country, be-
ginning with the Indian in the dug ut.
/ The theater WAS . recognized insntu-
too among the ancients, ~ far
back as 500 B. c., when Thespius
acted his plays in wagon. The per-
formances of Alchylus were gwen on
temporary wooden scaffolds. The first
great temple of amusement was built
oy the Athenisns, and it Was known IS
the tneater Of Dlonysus. 1t re.
CURED loo years to build It,.
aud it was constructed of solid
stone. The theater has from this crude
condition come down through the ages
IN various and unique forms, until to-
day the humblest community has Its
stage and players. Grand Rspids ha,
passed through its stage of progress in
developing 3 following for Tnespls-
who is the god of Amusement. Up TO
| the present day the city has had its
Career OF rude halls in which people
assembled for amusement.
| The Powers Grand.
| The dedication of the new Powers
Grand which will take place with eclat
| anu due ceremonial form, on next
| Thursday evening, is an event which
| must mark the art and the skill of the
time. But q little over three months
ago the Old Powers Opera house was u
| chared rum, ITS psrquet and galleries
filled with the confused debris of a
destructive fire. 1t presented indeed =
Encouraging picture to Its owner.
| rhe prospect of removing these
RUNS aud ashes, and replacing
them with suitable and con-
venient theater in time for the winter
season, was one that did not at first
glance seem easy of accomplishment.
The Hon. William T. Powers with I'M
daunted determination resolved that
he would build theater that would
be credit and pride to the city, q
monument to his energy and persever-
ance, and in beauty unequaled In the
penInsular state. This resolve has
been realized in o most gratifying
manner, and today on the ruins OF
three months ago there stands the
alter unique and convenient in all Of
Its designs, and handsome and attract
i've IN its art and decorations. AS q
modern playhouse it is complete In
every detail.
The Entry Way.
| Patrons will enter the house just east
of the old building. In the alley which
WAS long known as Kent alley. though
the private property of Mr.. Powers,
there has been constructed . pretty
three-story building with commodious
bay window front above the first story.
Passing through the entrance, which is
wide and airy, and ascending . half
dozen steps, you stand on the foyer
proper. To the right is the stairway
leading to the dress circle. This stair
way will not be used as an exit.
there being q separate exit and foyer
on the next floor 50 that the occupants
| of the upper tiers will not, after being
once inside come in contact with the
auditors on the parouet floor. At the end
of the lower foyer there are cloak rooms
and toilet rooms for the women. The
entrances from the foyer are very wide,
| probably twenty feet or more, and
they are handsomely draped with
green flax velour. The entrances above
are equal IN width and are draped with
pink flax velour.
Refined Decorations.
| The decorations are not gaudy, but
refined and rich. They are IN every
sense artistic, and they should be ne
they were designed by Buck, the ia
NOUS artist of the worlds fair. Old
gold Is the prevailing color theme,
though it is slightly but har-
monously contrasted by the col
ors on the ceilings and side
walls, which are a shade or SO
! lighter. The material of the decora-
tons around the dress circle rail and
the boxes 10 plastico, and IT Is moulded
into exquisite forms. Above the upper
b xes are figures typical OF music and
the drama. Over the proscenium
arch on either side are life
sized figures, one typifying art. the
other the drama. Above the upper
! boxes are pictures illustrating the
drama. the muses. and music. The
proscenium arch stands out In holder
relief than the other ornamentatious,
and 1t 10 enriched with border of In
csndescent lights. The effect this pro-
| duces can be better admired than de-
scrIbed.
The Prosenium Boxes.
| There are ten boxes IN all, two on
each side of the psrquet, Ike num-
Der on the dress circle II or and one on
each side of the upper tier. There are
| also on the parquet IN front OF the en-
| trance TO the boxes two loges. The
/ draperles of the hOxss are artistic AMI
tasty. aud were hung by Ed Tumnore
and James McKendry. the head drsp r
| of Spnug 4 Co. The drspere.
IN the lower boxes are satin derby
/ of olive green TINT, the boxes above OF
/ old sls maddress and the others OF
/ PINK silk msddress.
/ The chars furnished by the Grand
/ Rapids School Furniture company are
/ { the best modern design. Tue chars
and divsns IN tne psrquet are uphOl-
stsred n crimson plush. and the re-
I msiuder on tbis floor IN old gold. hsf
/ monlung nicely with the general ofns-
msntauon. Best of all. every seat l.
roemy AMI comfortable.
f The c-ihng, which is constructed Of
steel, shows possibly mere diversity IN
coiorlng than the ether portions OF the
mouse. the predCmmating tint being
AZ e-tlue. In the center = large ven
+ tllator. under when /. Suspended A cir
. Gle OF electric lgnt>.
AUCTION sALE OF SEATS.
The Expected Crowd Failed TO Invade