New carpet is going in, they started at the top and working down. Getting there slowly, and looks pretty nice.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter093022a.jpg

Anyone else see Hadestown this week at CC? That was a great show. Cast was amazing. Highly impressed!

And the new men’s bathroom is really nice at intermission!

Anyone else see Hadestown this week at CC? That was a great show. Cast was amazing. Highly impressed!

And the new men’s bathroom is really nice at intermission!

How far along are they with the lobby renovation?

I need to get in there and take photos.

How far along are they with the lobby renovation?

I need to get in there and take photos.

When we saw Lady of the Camellias last week, the area on the wall that's right in front as you walk in was still walled off, as well as the men's restroom on the left by the elevators, so no real evidence of how far along they are. We stuck to that side of the lobby/auditorium, so no knowledge of how far along they are on the other side.

The new men's room is open and very nice.
The 2 staircases connecting the upper orchestra level are in place, but not yet complete. On the south side, the new lobby bar is coming along. Most of the new carpet is finished except for the main floor.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter110622a.jpg

Also, there is now a family restroom where the old coffee shop was, to provide much needed facilities for anyone with special needs. Inside has an adult size adjustable change table. This should help any persons or family attend performances

Renovations finished and set to be unveiled June 14th:

https://freepressokc.com/okc-civic-center-reopening-with-renovations-revamped-theater/

Yep, went to Hamilton Saturday night. Bar was completely open. Looks like in the common area they just needed to finish up removal of some flooring, new flooring and touch ups. Not sure about the Little Freede Center.

I will be touring soon and will take a ton of photos.

Very excited to see all the work in person.

The new entrance on the north side looks finished but as of Sunday, it was still fenced off.

Loved the new bar when we went to Hamilton. Nice art deco feel.

Renovations finished and set to be unveiled June 14th:

https://freepressokc.com/okc-civic-center-reopening-with-renovations-revamped-theater/

Happy birthday to me! :congrats:

Grand reopening today at renovated Civic Center (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=960-Grand-reopening-today-at-renovated-Civic-Center)

After two years of construction, a renovated and expanded Civic Center Music Hall celebrates its Grand Reopening with a full day of events including a free concert featuring Grammy Award-winning country band Diamond Rio.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223ia.jpg


The $14.1 million renovation project includes the complete restoration of the Freede Little Theatre and added a new 2-level lobby for that facility on the north side of the building. Little Theatre is for smaller performances, seating approximately 300 versus the 3,000 capacity at the main Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre.

Great care was taken to preserve the original plasterwork and light fixtures. There are new amenities, including a dedicated bar, new restrooms, balcony seating, and a new balcony lobby. All have the Art Deco detail work for which the Civic Center is known.

Other improvements include a remodeled main lobby which saw the relocation of the box office, main bar, and stairways to create a much more open layout. The project also includes enhanced accessible entrances with additional powered doors and a family restroom on the main level, all while retaining the historical Art Deco ambiance of the building.

From a press release:

The schedule for the June 14th Grand Reopening Festivities will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by building tours from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, and conclude with a free concert featuring Diamond Rio. Legendary American country group Diamond Rio recently celebrated its 20th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member. Diamond Rio, a six-time Vocal Group of the Year winner, is known for their chart-topping hits such as "Meet in the Middle," "One More Day," and "Beautiful Mess." Diamond Rio recently released "I Made It," their tenth studio album. The concert is free to the public. Tickets are required and available on a first-come, first-served basis while they last. To reserve your tickets, visit www.okcciviccenter.com.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223xa.jpg
New floor plan


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223ta.jpg
Lobby before


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223ka.jpg
Lobby after renovation


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223na.jpg
New box office


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223oa.jpg
New lobby light fixture


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223pa.jpg
New VIP area


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223ja.jpg
New entrance to Little Theatre


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223sa.jpg
Little Theatre box office


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223ra.jpg
Little Theatre lobby and upstairs bar

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223uaa.jpg
Before and during reconstruction of Little Theatre


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223la.jpg
New Little Theatre


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223ya.jpg
New Little Theatre


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223ha.jpg
Aerial view showing Little Theatre entrance on north side


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/civiccenter061223wa.jpg

They did a fantastic job on this renovation.

Moving the box office to the side and relocating a stairway as well as the new, larger bar makes the main lobby work 100x better. Also, I personally think the elimination of that bright red is a big improvement. Lots of little details like new light fixtures and bathrooms.

The Freede Little Theatre is a knockout. From the new entrance and lobby to the theater itself... First class all the way.

I love the art deco style.

They did a fantastic job on this renovation.

Moving the box office to the side and relocating a stairway as well as the new, larger bar makes the main lobby work 100x better. Also, I personally think the elimination of that bright red is a big improvement. Lots of little details like new light fixtures and bathrooms.

The Freede Little Theatre is a knockout. From the new entrance and lobby to the theater itself... First class all the way.

What types of events are they planning on having at the Little Theatre? That looks like an amazing space...reminds me a bit of the Enid Symphony (another great venue if anyone is ever interested in making the drive to Enid to catch some orchestral music).

I love the art deco style.

Yes. Yes. And YES!!

Brings back childhood memories of the Shrine Circus, All College Basketball Tournament, concerts and many religious gathers in our city.

Love the restoration of Little Theater and the whole complex. These buildings were built to last and be shared by future generations. Thanks again for sharing, Pete.

I went to the open house this afternoon and was certainly impressed. I agree that the new lobby colors work MUCH better and fit in with the art deco design. The news release mentions seating in the balcony of the Little Theater but, if that is planned, it's not currently in place. There are no seats there.

The Freede looks so much better! This is what it should have looked like after the rest of the Civic Center got renovated before.

Yes, the Freede looks incredible. I have never really enjoyed seeing shows there, but am really looking forward to that little theatre. I really am impressed with the renovation all around.

Attended “Ain’t Too Proud” last night and enjoyed the new look CC for the first time. Also liked having tickets scanned in the lobby rather than at the entrance to the theatre. The whole flow was much improved.

What types of events are they planning on having at the Little Theatre? That looks like an amazing space...reminds me a bit of the Enid Symphony (another great venue if anyone is ever interested in making the drive to Enid to catch some orchestral music).
I’ve been inside of the Enid Symphony, and have actually been on stage (as a presenter) inside the (pre-renovation) Freede Little Theatre, and I 100% agree about the similarity. Every time I’ve been in either I’ve been reminded of the other.

Attended “Ain’t Too Proud” last night and enjoyed the new look CC for the first time. Also liked having tickets scanned in the lobby rather than at the entrance to the theatre. The whole flow was much improved.

Agreed. Look, feel, and flow MUCH better.

Oh, the show was GREAT too.

^Agreed - really good show. Amazing talent on that stage. Two more shows today/tonight if anyone wants to enjoy and escape the heat a bit.

Here's a question for anyone that has knowledge of Civic Center's operations/booking - is there even a remote possibility that they would book another true rock show there ever again? I can understand why it might not, but damn it would be cool.

Here's a question for anyone that has knowledge of Civic Center's operations/booking - is there even a remote possibility that they would book another true rock show there ever again? I can understand why it might not, but damn it would be cool.

It can't comete with the stadium shows, and the other venues for smaller shows here are way better set up for drinking and rocking out.

Paul Simon was there a few years ago and it was fantastic. That isn’t “rock” but it was a great show with his full band. It was a great time.

It can't comete with the stadium shows, and the other venues for smaller shows here are way better set up for drinking and rocking out.

Fair, but at just under 3,000 capacity, gotta think that fits a certain niche, no?

Fair, but at just under 3,000 capacity, gotta think that fits a certain niche, no?

Criterion is about that size (can go from pretty small if they curtain off everything off and have seats to 4000, I think, with everything open and GA standing). It'll never be used again for actual rock shows, that's not the type of thing they do anymore and haven't for ages. It was great when we saw Loverboy and Missing Persons waaaaaaaaay back, not sure when they stopped doing shows like that, though.

Criterion is about that size (can go from pretty small if they curtain off everything off and have seats to 4000, I think, with everything open and GA standing). It'll never be used again for actual rock shows, that's not the type of thing they do anymore and haven't for ages. It was great when we saw Loverboy and Missing Persons waaaaaaaaay back, not sure when they stopped doing shows like that, though.

There was Bob Dylan at the Civic Center last year.

I think maybe what you have at Civic Center would be considered "concerts" and the others "shows".

There was Bob Dylan at the Civic Center last year.

Somehow I missed that one, but yeah, that actually would qualify as a "true rock show" (as the poster upthread was wondering about), IMO. And I use "show" and "concert" interchangeably, no matter what venue they're at.

Somehow I missed that one, but yeah, that actually would qualify as a "true rock show" (as the poster upthread was wondering about), IMO. And I use "show" and "concert" interchangeably, no matter what venue they're at.
Not rock, but I saw Vince Gill there last year (and second row at that). It was incredible. Trying to recall if I’d seen other concerts there since R.E.M. circa 1986 or 1987.

Lyric Theatre just announced that Grammy award winning Broadway star, Adrianna Hicks, will be starring in Mary Poppins this summer at the Civic Center. How exciting!

https://lyrictheatreokc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Adrianna-Hicks-In-Mary-Poppins-Press-Release.pdf

This should draw lots of people to this show. Definitely going to be there.

It's been a hot minute, but I saw Coldplay at the Civic Center in about 2002. Memorable gig.

It's been a hot minute, but I saw Coldplay at the Civic Center in about 2002. Memorable gig.

My wife and I started dating in January of 2006. She purchased tickets to a show in March of 2006 the previous year to take her now ex-boyfriend to. So she took me to see Michael Buble at the Civic Center. I have seen him live in arenas five times since that.

It's been a hot minute, but I saw Coldplay at the Civic Center in about 2002. Memorable gig.

I bet that was incredible. Wish the Civic Center booked more rock/pop concerts.

I bet that was incredible. Wish the Civic Center booked more rock/pop concerts.

It was excellent; they were in their prime then.

The 3 weeks of Wicked was a good run for the Civic Center. Sold out shows just about every performance. Hoping next season, to be announced next week will be as good as this year's. Chicago, then Momma Mia are next.

Lyric has Mary Poppins (as noted above), Jersey Boys and Cinderella this summer so late June through early August is going to be busy around there.

OKC Broadway just announced the 2024-2025 Season:

Moulin Rouge
MJ the Musical
Beetlejuice
Peter Pan
Some like it Hot
& Juliet
How the Grinch Stole Christmas

OKC Broadway just announced the 2024-2025 Season:

Moulin Rouge
MJ the Musical
Beetlejuice
Peter Pan
Some like it Hot
& Juliet
How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Interesting, OKCBallet is also doing Peter Pan next season.