The Michigan Daily - Friday, May 9a 1986- Page 11
Michigan Theater ineroe rsoration
By MARTIN FRANK The plan to raise money is come from ticket sales. The foun- w as updating modern facilities mation packet, Butterfield was
The Michigan Theater closed its unique: donors will be able to dation expects summer fund- such as the restrooms and con- responsible for modernizing the
doors for the summer last Sunday choose where to place their gifts. raising to make up for the lost cession stands," he said. theater to compete with the
night with a final showing of For example, a donor can buy a revenues. A THOROUGH restoration, booming television industry. The
"Casablanca," the Humphrey ten-dollar maize or blue The restoration work will be however, would require more intricate plaster work was
Bogart classic. The 57-year-old bulb, or finance the foyer done over the summer because money. The architectural firms plastered with aluminum,
theatre will now embark on a restoration, at an estimated cost fewer students on campus means will concentrate on laying the sup- polished marble, and a drop
restoration project designed to of $250,000. The donor's name will less business for the theater, port systems for such future work, ceiling. The theater was repainted
restore its original vaudeville-era then be engraved on a plate on the though Baden pointed out that though Milling could not estimate with a dismal combination of
flavor. gift. there are still many patrons when a second phase may begin. gray, dark blue and ivory shades.
The restoration, to what RUSSELL COLLINS, executive during the summer months. Project manager Rich Henes Orange seats were installed and
marketing manager Carla Baden director of the theater, predicted In addition, most of the theater's expects the work to be completed orange was made the highlight
calls "a wonderful, historic this method will prove more effec- employees are students who work on schedule, and says he is excited color in other parts of the theater.
theater," will start today as the tive than having corporations part-time, and can find other jobs. about the project. In 1979, Butterfield sold the
old, orange-colored seats are rip- donate thousands of dollars. BRIAN DUFRESNE, the house The enthusiasm here is great," theater due to diminishing profits.
ped out to make way for newer, "This is a fun way to do it manager, was the only full-time he said, "We are really dedicated THE MICHIGAN Theater
dark blue seats. because it enables people to employee laid off. Although upset to making the theater what it once "Foundation bought the theater,
ALSO ON the agenda is altering receive recognition for their at losing his job, Dufresne said he was." and, along with concerned Ann
the slope of the floor so theater- help," Collins said, favors the restoration and expects Henes plans to use about thirty Arbor citizens, saved the building
goers can see over the people in More importantly, Collins ad- to have his job back in the fall. workers, partly to provide jobs to from demolition because of its
front of them. ded, the system "encourages the David Milling of Osler/Milling, people who would not normally be deteriorating physical and
The current gray and orange community to participate, which one of two architectural firms working. economic condition.
color scheme of the theater will be makes them feel like part owners working on the project, said the THE THEATER'S old splendor With the restoration of the
repainted "to prevent specks of of the theater, which, in effect, theater's original design provided that Henes and Dow-Alexander theater now underway, summer
dust from chipped paint falling on they are." the basis for restoration plans. are trying to revive was lost in the moviegoers will have to find
your head," according to Judith FUND-RAISING has thus far "We found so much good in the 1950s, when the Michigan was another place to see their movies.
Dow-Alexander, president of the generated $1.12 million, near the original design that we decided to owned by the Butterfield Theater I think (the restoration
Michigan Theater Foundation. $1.56 million goal. As an added in- restore elements from the past Corporation. project) is a great idea," said LSA
Lighting in the new theater will centive, the Kresge Company has that deserved to be restored as According to a theater infor- junior Joon Chung.
be brighter; heating, cooling, and promised to donate $150,000 if the
ventilation systems will be im- foundation reaches its goal by Oc-
proved; and the restroom toberi.
capacity will be increased. Since the theater is a non-profit
THE ESTIMATED cost for the organization, most of its revenues
restoration is $1.35 million.
The Michigan Theater Foun-
dation plans to raise the money INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT
through private donations and Pay $1,100/mo. + overtime + car
fund-raising events. One event, a
show last September called "Two Full time call YUSEN AIR
Friends Among Friends," starred (31 3) 946-9611 or 12 --______________
Dow-Alexander and singer Connie Mike or Penta
Barron.
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