The Washington times., 1918-11-16
TO
OPEN ON NOV. e

CrandalPs Metropolitan Theater,
Washington's newest photoplay house,
rapidly is nearing completion and will
be opened to the public on Saturday,
November %.
1t will be another link in the chain
of playhouses operated by H. NJ. Gran
dali, and is a "Washington Theater''
In every sense of the word It was
financed by local capital, designed by
a local architect and built entirely by
local builders and contractors.
The entrance OF the theater Is on F
street. between Ninth and Tenth
streets. The lobby extends back
twenty-eight feet to a rotunda prom
enade leading directly into the audi
torium proper OF the theatsr, which,
extending at right angles, covers the
remainder of the property on Tenth
street, adjoining the historic old Ford
Theater. This affords large area on
the first floor, the plans calling for
1000 seats on the orchestra level
alone. Extending over two-thirds OF
this space is hung the cantilever bal
cony and meZzanine. The private
boxes and loge seats will occupy the
front section of the mezzanine- The ar
rangement of this section OF the theater
Is novel in that 1t consists OF a series
OF rises reached by a system of orna-
mental tunnels or promenades. This
is declared to be utilizing such man
ner of approaches for the first time
in theater construction in the United
States.
In FireproOf Throughout.
The house is OF fireproof construction
throughout and the general architec-
tural plan is of the Adams period. The
front OF the theater on F street is of
colonial design, with an ornamental
facade bearing the name plate Of the
house. 1t is OF ornamental brick with
Tennessee lime stone trimmings. The
lobby is finished entirely in marble and
the chandeliers OF the set-in type are
Of special design. a massive carved
hox is placed midway invite lobby. 1t
will accommodate three cashiers.
The decorative scheme OF the in
terror is mauYe. lavender, and Flemish
gray, trimmed out with old gold, ivory
and French "Blue Devil" blue. The
walls are hung in silk of special
design.
The stage. Of permanent construction.
Is OF ornamental plaster OF shell-like
formation The central stage is flank
ed on either side with smaller semi
eliptical stages with panoramic back
grounds. The hangings, furnishings,
and decorative fixtures are French
BLUE Devil" blue and old gold.
The main promenade lounge is 10
Gated at the rear Of the loge section,
just above the foyer. fianking an elab-
orately carved orifice looking down
upon the orchestra floor. The decora-
tive cclors are old rose, ivory, and
gold, the side walls being broken by
numerous full length colonial mirrors.
The furniture for the lounge was
especially built of colonial pattern
Shaded floor lamps add to the effec-
tiveness of the decorative scheme.
Tunnel to LoEe Boxes.
An ornamental tunnel from the Tenth
street side OF the lounge leads directly
TO the loge box section Of the theater.
Rest rooms for both ladies and gentle
men open out upon the promenade
lounge.
The projection booth situated at the
extreme rear Of the mezzanine floor is
. marvel OF completeness, and IL
equipped with every known device for
the proper presentation Of pictures.
A triple manual twin sectional unit
organ has been installed, with q new
ly patented echo attachment which
will send the strains OF music floating
into a certain portion OF the auditor
ium Of the theater. An orchestra Of
will occupy an especially
pit, surrounded by an
balustrAde surmounted
with growing plants and ferns.
The lighting system installed 10 OF
the newest description, sixty eight |
triple DINNERS being included in the |
house and stage switchboard. which |
makes Il possible to battle the entire /
auditorium IN nine distinct coIors, |
almost imperceptfblyi into one |
iona A novel eftsct will be gained |