I attended the first performance at the newly restored Paramount on
Saturday, March 6th. Actually part of the Boston Celebrity Series, which holds events at various venues, the selection of Max Raabe and the Palast Orchestra with their “Night in Berlin” program could have not been more perfect. Their repertoire is exclusively late 1920s/early 1930s and matched the Paramount ambiance perfectly.
After a rather rushed dinner at nearby Locke-Ober (another highly-polished period piece) we strolled down Washington Street and were overwhelmed by the brilliant Paramount marquee and pristine facade. The experience continued in the lobby with its stairways retaining vividly striped veneered walls. We all found the auditorium breath-taking, with elaborate mural artwork, imposing pilasters, ceiling art, chandelier, et al.
Seating was comfortable and sight-lines perfect (well, we were in the fourth row …) and sound engineering by the Raabe crew excellent.
I imagine there will be a fair amount of carping on this site from purists who will claim that this is not a legitimate “restoration” or “preservation” but is simply an interior decorator’s 2010 take on Art Deco, with so many of the decorative elements being replacements, and the smaller seating capacity, etc, etc. Well, I think it is STUNNING, PERIOD!!! And when you realize that the whole place could have been torn down (or could have fallen down) and been turned into a black-top parking lot, you really have to admire Emerson for what they have done.
We all had the feeling that we were taking part in an important, historic event and in looking back, my only regret is not having worn black tie.
This remarkable theater provides a hell of a lot of drop-dead ambiance for a 2010 audience to live up to …
I attended the first performance at the newly restored Paramount on
Saturday, March 6th. Actually part of the Boston Celebrity Series, which holds events at various venues, the selection of Max Raabe and the Palast Orchestra with their “Night in Berlin” program could have not been more perfect. Their repertoire is exclusively late 1920s/early 1930s and matched the Paramount ambiance perfectly.
After a rather rushed dinner at nearby Locke-Ober (another highly-polished period piece) we strolled down Washington Street and were overwhelmed by the brilliant Paramount marquee and pristine facade. The experience continued in the lobby with its stairways retaining vividly striped veneered walls. We all found the auditorium breath-taking, with elaborate mural artwork, imposing pilasters, ceiling art, chandelier, et al.
Seating was comfortable and sight-lines perfect (well, we were in the fourth row …) and sound engineering by the Raabe crew excellent.
I imagine there will be a fair amount of carping on this site from purists who will claim that this is not a legitimate “restoration” or “preservation” but is simply an interior decorator’s 2010 take on Art Deco, with so many of the decorative elements being replacements, and the smaller seating capacity, etc, etc. Well, I think it is STUNNING, PERIOD!!! And when you realize that the whole place could have been torn down (or could have fallen down) and been turned into a black-top parking lot, you really have to admire Emerson for what they have done.
We all had the feeling that we were taking part in an important, historic event and in looking back, my only regret is not having worn black tie.