New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-18
Music Box TI1eater
Paragon of Taste;
A Model House

When the new Music Box Theater,
which Sam II. Harris has built In as
sociation with Irving Berlin In West
Forty-ffth Street, opens tomorrow
morning playgoers will get their hrst
view of theater which has been q
year in building and cost more than
81, 100000
The exterior of the Music Box has
preserved the Georgian character. In
general the Georgian influence is con-
fined to the larger aspects Of the IA
cade in beautiful loggia with delicate
columns and the details that surround
them.
The facade is singularly successful
in its expression of the interior. An
interesting solution Of theater pro-
blem is shown in the disposition Of the
exits opening upon this loggia. which
by means Of stairs augments the egress
from the balcony to the street.
The decoration af the box-ofice lobby
Is kept very simple. The walls are of
marble, treated with a plaster cornice
at the ceiling with ornaments charac-
teristic Of the Georgian period. The
box Office screen, Of delicate proper
lions in bronze, adds to the interest Of
this space. The floor is Of marble,
gray and pink in alternating patterns.
bounded by the pink in the lower mem
Der of the base.
The main auditorium is entered from
the lobby by way Of a standing space
in the rear of the seats. This foyer is
separated from the auditorium by a
draped partition in which beauty and
utility are merged to overcome the
usual drafty opening behind the seats
Of the last row.
The color scheme Of the walls II the
auditorium Is antique ivory. glazed in
soft green. This has been carried
out through that part Of the building in
conjunction with the auditorium. It
has been demonstrated in this phase of
the Music Box that consistency Of
color has unifying effect without
monotony. The decorative design is in
the Georgian period, carried out to the
minutest detail.
The architect, C. Howard Crane. has
succeeded in preserving the little thea
ter atmosphere of intimacy and in
dividuality, incorporating the essential
details and requirements Of this type
OF building, thereby achieving the ef-
feet OF magnified drawing room.
The carpeting is in soft coral color,
with large-hgured design The drap-
cries, the stage curtain valance and it's
side drops are of soft coral damask.
An unusual feature of the decoration
is the stage curtain itself, which is Of
beige color antique satin, entirely COW
cred with Crewel embroidery. The
lighting fixtures are of Dutch brass
| with amber crystals
Opening from the mezzanine are
ladies' retiring rooms. telephone rooms.
the managers Office and Irving Ber-
Inns studio. This studio is treated in
the form of an attic room and reveals
touch Of inspiration with its rough,
wainscotcd walls, large stone fire.
place and the effect of roof rafters and
structural members in the ceiling.
That part of the theater below the
orchestra, which is designed Ger the
comfort of the playgoers, and called
the lounge, is arranged with nicely.
The grand stairway Leading from the
orchestra foyer, descends from both
sides, to merge and continue as one
to the lounge. This room is a repro
duction o. an old Queen Anne painted
room, the walls finished in antique
green and the holdings in antique
gold. The wall directly opposite the
stairway contains a large mirror
treatment, permitting the reflection Of
the stair landing. which is itself the
hanging place of a very fine Gobelin
tapestry, ia Cascade" after the car
toon by Mazerolie.
| Four murals of rich design and col
oring take up the panels hanking the
mirror and stairway, balanced by two
Sienna marble mantels at either end,
above which are two Queen Anne mir
! rors with dull yellow, black and gold
] lacquer frames. The lighting fixtures
Of the lounge are of Dutch brass and
amber crystals, and the furniture of
xho roo-, hoe boan rhoxap IN ovco1lor<