HOUSTON – After a yearlong $46.5 million renovation, the Alley Theatre prepared for its grand opening in October. This was the first extensive renovation since its opening in 1968.
"This is a major upgrade and something that's going to get lots of national attention," said Alley Theatre Managing Director, Dean Gladden.
Those upgrades are clear as soon as you walk inside the Alley Theatre, with the extra lobby space and a new bar.
But it's the renovations in the theatre that deserve a standing ovation.
"The stage thrusts out into the audience about five rows out into the audience so they're closer to the stage," said Dean Gladden.
Crews also created a six-story space that flies scenery in and out of the stage, which is all controlled by a computer.
An area has also been added under the stage.
"We have basically openings in the floor that you can put furniture or actors can magically appear or you can have staircases going down or you can have an orchestra pit for the first time for the Alley," said Gladden.
Another change to the theatre, is the removal of seats to create a more intimate experience.
"We reduced the number of seats from 824 seats to just 774 seats, so just 50 seats. Anyone coming to the theatre just means that the theatre is that much more intimate," said Gladden.
Outside of New York City, the Alley Theatre was one of the five largest nonprofit theatres in the county, and Gladden said now it shows.
"It's a great theatre and now you're going to see it on a great new stage in a gorgeous venue," he said.
The grand opening is Friday, Oct. 2 with "One Man, Two Guvnors."