The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-17
THE NEW SAVANNAH THEATER.
THE WORK OF ExCAyATING FOR
THE FOUNDATION TO BEGIN
At ONCE.

Architect Cox of New Orleans Is Here
With the Plans for the New Build
inE-An Elegant Modern Theater
to he Constructed in Place of the
Oldest Theater in the United states.
IL viii BE Ready for the Curtain
TO BE RunE Up by sept. 1.
Architect Frank Cox OF New Orleans.
who tas charge of the work
Of remodeling and rebuilding
the present Savannah theater
for Mr.. Henry Greenwau Of New York. is
in the city making arrangements 10 start
the excavating work that VIII have 10 be
done before May ].
When the new building shall
have bteu completed it will be
known as the New Savannah Theater, 3"
and this inscription viii be cut in stone
over TIE entrance TO the house. Mr.. Cox,
who is accompanied by Herbert Matthews,
manager of Mr.. Greenwall's Atlanta the
alter. was seen at the De Soto yesterday.
Il am here" Mr. Cox said. Ito arrange 10
have done the excavating work which viii
be necessary in order 20 get the founda-
tons In place. This, Of course, viii nave
10 be done before May !. on account OF the
city ordinances. Then we will come here
about May / 10 begin work on the build
ing proper. The roof, however, VIII not
be torn off until about May 7. on account
of the fact that Mr.. Greewall has given
the house 10 several charitable entertain
ments. which viii take place during the
first week of May. The eNcavat.ng work
will be begun AZ once, and pushed forward
as rapidly as possible
MIR Cox has with him the complete plans
and specifications for the new theater,
which no showed to a Morning News rep
resentauve. According 70 the plan the
IL. HHHa nj
tractiYe piece Of architecture. The win
dows and entrance are all TO be arched, and
the building Is 10 be surmounted by
dome Just above the entrance VIII be a
sort of balcony, supported by columns.
over the entrance Will be the inscription
THE New savannah Theater" with the
words Erected 1SlS' on one side and Re
built 1895" on the other.
There will be an extension Of the build
ing amounting TO % by 60 feet In front
which will, OF course, give more room
for the lobby and box office. These Of
fees and retiring rooms Will be arranged
in the front of the building. Accom-
handsome water color drawing Of the in
terror of the new hallding as IL will look
when completed. The seating capacity
Will be LOO, and the line Of sight such
that practically a full view Of the stage
will be given from every seat in the
house. The chairs are all to be uphol-
stored in cardinal plush, while the car
pets will be OF the same color. The dra-
peries will be light blue and white and
gold, which Will be IN keeping with the
walls and finishings Of the interior. The
ceiling is to be handsomely frescOed, and
the whole appearance viii be handsome
and attractive throughout.
The arrangement of the stage will be
much more convenient than at present.
The walls at this end of the theater viii
be raised so that a hight of fifty-seVen
feet will be given the stage and its
depth will be forty-fiVe feet. The scenery
viii be drawn up by pulleys, instead OF
sliding In grooves, as is the case AT
present According 10 the plans the bal
cony and gallery will be so arranged that
the vision on none Of the occupants will
be INSTRUCTED. Both the balcony and gal
lery will be finished in plastico compost
ton and elegantly decorated In gilt coll
ors.
The new drop curtain and the scenery.
or which there Is ten sets, is now being
painted by Messrs. Cox Bros. Of New
Orleans, and the order for the opera
chairs has already been given. Lewis
Morrison will open Mr.. Greenwalls the
alter In Atlanta on April o. and will come
direct here to close the old Savannah
theater before II goes into the hands Of
the new managers. Mr.. Greenwall has
booked strong line of attractions for
next season, and according to the specin-
cations for the changes in the building
the new theater must be completed by
Sept. ]. The estimated cost for remodel
Ing the building is S22.l70.