THE OMAIIA SUNDAY BEE: FEBRUARY 27, 1910.
New Brandeis Theater Beautiful Soon to Be Opened and Its Directors
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kTIEN the Brandeis theater open
w
us noors 10 aamit its nrst aum
ence. on .Thursday evening.
Omaha will have the most
beautiful theater In the west
ern part of the United States,
If not In the entire country, and one of tho
most beautiful in the world. This Is not
ft mere figure of speech, but a sober state
ment. No theater In all the west, from Chi
cago to San Francisco, unless it be the new
Columbia but recently opened at San Fran
cisco, can approach, , much, less compare,
W'lth the Brandeis In point of simple ele
gance. Its beauty is of the sort that will
appeal to the esthetic soul; It has nothing
that Is garish or obtrusive. Everything
hsa been done on that scale of lavish
treatment which recognizes the "art that
conceals artifice," and provides for the
appeal to the soul of man through, his
senses, assailing them by the most subtle
and delicate of methods. At no point does
the Interior of the new theater present a
direct attack on any ot the senses; nothing
In Its ensemble challenges attention or
commands observance, but Its every aspect
appeals In the most alluring way to thsj
artlstto side of man's nature, and without
his being aware of how or why, the ob
server finds himself quietly but surely slip
ping Into the mood 'suggested by the sur
roundings, and drifting away from' the
sordid things of life' and Into a sense ot
luxurious' satisfaction from Which he wilt
hesitate to depart. .
First of all, the Brandeis theater Is th
last word in theater construction from tha
standpoint of comfort for the patron. Not
a tfng has been left undone that would
add t ven In the slightest degree to ' tha
comfort or convenience of those who as
semble there to take their pleasure In
watching the plays. Not only has the ar
tist developed his best In the decorations
of the theater, but he has united his ef
forts to those of the artisan, and they
have . completed the circle by pro
viding the necessities of such kind as
will give the highest of usefulness
with the most pleasing of the merely beau
tiful.. From the very beginning It was
set down that when the Brandeis opened
Its doors to the public. It would be to wel
come Omaha folks to a theater of which
they would be proud. This purpose bus
always been kept In mind, and tho builders,
the architects, and the lessees have been
from time to time surprised by the owners,
who have suggested additions here and al
terations there, all designed to give to the
theater more of genuine beauty, of real
comfort and the general tone of sumptuous
elegance that makes for the real sensuous
delight of the modern theater. A single
Instance may serve to illustrate this point:
One afternoon, ' several weeks ago, the
Messrs, Brandeis, wlttt-Mr. Burgess, Mr.
VWeston," Mr. Latenser and some of the
"subcontractors were standing on the
main floor ot the theater, discussing de
tails ot tho work. On of the Messrs.
Brandeis turned aside for a moment, and
then asked, '"Wouldn't a properly designed
mantel, with lighting futures,' fit In hers
nicely?" and followed up his suggestion
by asking that a drawing be made for the
purpose. The drawing was made and sub
iiiUU the next say, along with the esti
nitAfed cost of I,ti00. Mr. Brandeis studied
It a moment, regarding tha effect, and
then ordered one on each side of the
theater an extra cost of $3,000, Just to fill
a vacant place on the wall, but It will be
found that these mantels will greatly en
hance the general effect.
In this way ,the theater has been built.
Its loveliness of white and gold, of marble
and silken walls, of delicate water colors
and dull gold light fixtures, of the rich
curtains and exquisitely modeled sculp
tures, sre all the outgrowth of a deter
mination that Omaha should have a theater
worthy of the name. From the aldowalk
in front to tho big blank wall at the rear
of the stsge, everything has been provided
on this one plan. Not a detail that will
conduce to the comfort of the patron has
been omitted everything that will please
him In all his senses has been
lavishly . provided, and he will find tha
Brandeis " truly "the theater beautiful."
And the actor will think It heaven after
he has made a round ot the ordinary
theaters and then comes to the wonderfully
complete and perfectly appointed world be
hind the curtain In the new Brandeis.
A mild, conservative richness of beauty
pervades tha Interior of tha Brsndels
theater. There is charm In color and form
without sxtraVagauce. It I rich, warm,
tangible, yet mellowed as the gleaming ot
autumnal colors of the woodland glow
ing through the haze of Indian summer.
In the wealth of "line and tint that so
sstUflus the ' a conservatism Just shot t
ot puritanic prevents the cloying, over
whelming shower of color that the first
atlunpse suggests.' A. wonderous lntermlng
11 ot the best attainments ot mural art
of all time has been brought to bear in
the production ot'ths artlstto interior of
the new theater. It la as though the Jewels
of conception had been fused in one alem
blo to produce the pigment with which
toe layhouse has been painted.
The Intricate tracing of Gothlo stone vine
leaves, Um, rioting radiance of the early
Greek and unrestrained ' Egypt'in, the
chaste grace of the Tonic, a Kit of the tater
Italian, the softness of tho Byzantine,
all these have been thrown Into the melting
pot to be cast by the hand of skilled work
manshlp Into the pleasing fabric that
clothes the Interior of the theater. Dell-
cate, reserved almost to the fading point,
but still direct and positive In powers is
the range of rich colors employed.
The broad planes of clear wall , space
are broken by panels of simple design, but
peculiarly effective In the relief of the
expanse. Bits of bead work, and the scan-
thus leaf have been employed In the decor-
Mill
PRINCIPALS IN "ATtSENE I,UPIN."
TO OPEN THE NEW BRANDEIS
atloq of detail, each preserved in reserved
and unostentatious relation to the whole,
The backgrounds are the Ivory colored
stretches of plaster. The panels are In
rich galoon brocaded silks of tapestry de-
sign. Here and there Is a suggestion of
the mauve that finds Its fullest expression
in the rich drop curtain of silk plush. The
bullion tint of the galoon Is carried into
the draperies of the boxes and even to
the tinting of the marble pillars which end
In cornices of dull creamy gold. The de-
sign can not be said to be either conven
tional or floral, but a type that embodies
the grace of both. The carpets are of the
golden color of the tapestry hangings,
bearing alike the same design ln the woven
pile as that of the embossed brocades.
The few bits of woodwork are cf
delicately grained oak of a velvety uft
finish, through which the lines a.nd shim
mering planes of the wood gleam with
a subdued elefance. The same treatment
has bevn given the chairs where expansive
and comfortable forms of oak support
upholstered leather. In wainscoting and
balustrades. Vermont marble of very light
hue, almost white, but hardly g-rey, has
been lined. It is lit keeping with tha gen
eral scheme In that there is nowhere the
slightest suggestion of glare or daring.
The fcfl whltey stone gives an impresalon
of solidity that well represents all of tha
bold strength that lies concealed beneath
tha finery of the outer dress of the walls
of concrete and stoel.
In Its lmes the theater has within been
designed to give sn air of comfortable
roominess without chill grandeur. There
la a suggestion of cosiness enhanced by
many a detail that Is hard to conceive In
proportion alone. Angles are decisive and
curves are sweeping, yet both are employed
with ease and facility In conjunction In the
rendering of the mural effects. Ilroud
lines mark the albles; there are no
crammed places, yet every foot la full. The
vaulted circles of ceiling and curving
stuccofd surface are so designed that they
catoh the diffused Illumination from the
frosted Incandescent globes to spread it out
with a tender clear light over all the space
alike. The points ot extreme brilliance ara
few. The general illumination Is ample to
ahow each pleasing and accurate detail.
From the entrance and roomy vestibule
to the . termination of the design at tha
proscenium arch the effect Is homogeneous
and uniform in Its variations. Nothing
has been slighted and as much care has
been spent in the lobby and vestibule as
in tha decoration of tha auditorium it
self. The foyer ot the Brandeis theater is de-
tgne1 with a new Idea In view. It Is -
pected that In this house, "the theater
beautiful." the audience will not choose to
remain seated between acts. In the blr
comfortablo space afforded by the foyers
there will be room for the easy circulation
of the big crowds In between-act promen-
ades. In other bonnes to leave one's seat
means a series of at least slight Incon-
venlences and probably a crushing hurry to
the seats Just before the curtain rises at
the end of the Intermission. The Brandeis
has been designed with the expectation that
the greater part of the audience will ltava
ssa
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11
W C0UKTEVAY
the sets between
acts. The restful
f. troll habit will
be encouraged and
in Its architec
tural aspects tho
invitation is ex
tended. The decorntlon
St bead work' and
chasto panelling
ln tho vestibule
THE PLAT SELECTED
THEATER.
at the entrance
gives a forecast In a decorous oulet wav
of the beauties which the Interior of the
house proper will reveal. From the box
office to the lattermost row of seats an
open lobby space of seventy feet ln depth
and nearly half so wide is extended. It Is
carpeted in the deep golden galoon, soft
and silent as moss under foot. The ceiling
of the foyer space Is divided into panels
of graceful dimension. Circling reliefs that
bear the suggestion of a Gothic design
grafted on the Roman are centered with
W 1 V
gay clusters of the bright but softly radla-
ting electric globes. Kach little bulb Is
heavily frosted to reduce the Illumination
to less than th irarlsh elurn nf nerf.rtlv
transparent glass. In wonderfully formed
bits of plaster the lights are enclosed In
the acanthus leaf designs, gilded with pure
gold leaf, yet so treated as not to glisten
too brightly. The little rows of beading
and tiny intervening niches are alike coated
with the golden color ""which contrasts so
handsomely with the ivory white planes of
the planter about. '
Beginning with the panels ln the lobby
and r extending forward through tha
auditorium enclosure to the boxes
ln front, the panels are hung with,
the bullion galoon tapestry silk,
heavy and stiff as canvas and as
rich as the roses of a king. This
fabrlo costs considerably more per
yard than most folk would care to
spend for a fine garment. The pan
els of galoon are edged with strips of yet
another fine silken weave to conceal tha
tiny attachments that hold the tapestry
and to give finish to the hangings.
A row of most happy little golden ser
aphs, or maybe they are cherubs, support
clusters of Incandescents ln each of the
panels. These delicately lined bits ot
sculpture are wonderfully graceful. Their
roman gold finish lends Itself well to the
rendering of the sculptural effect and at
the same lime preserves conformity to tha
coloring of the walls. About the lighting
fixtures above will be ranged clustering
series of bevelled' French plate mirrors,
giving the general Impression of some huga
Jewel. These mirrors can not, however, be
put in place for some time after the open
ing of the theater owing to the necessity
of allowing the plaster to thoroughly season
lest the moisture bedim the splendor of the
reflecting surfaces. These mirrors repre
sent the spicing of the design and the only
suggestion of flash and striking brilliancy
j Hi uu
2t P.. S
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about the theater. All else If softened,
thus the effect may be heightened by the
Introduction of the eparktng ' dashes of
light.
The 1,700 spacious seats of the mellowed
brownish golden, oak are ranged In sections
divided by wide roomy aisles. Not a sup-
porting pillar stands to Interrupt the view
of the stage from any seat In the house.
The upholstering Is rich and roft, yet firmly
comfortable In lis luxuriousness. Joy of
all Joys there as specially bit' seats for the
fat man. These were Just made for lilui,
too on purpose twenty-two inches wld.
V'nder each seat Is a ventilating register,
so fitted that In winter It delivers warm
air and in the warmer end of the soason the
cooled breeze of big fans slaving In the
basement lr chambers below.
A a touch f cozy comfortableness Is
Ma ,n an axterthought ot the architect,
lwo "replaces on opposite sides of the big
io""y tne Promenade. These fireplaces are
iuBt 11,8 very last word ln beauty of de-
B'Bn- Set deep ln tno splendor of tho
lon walls, they radiate a cheery glow
thnt BPak8 cherrlness and welcome. The
freP'aces represent a familiar touch that
BeemB fl"'-' unexpected ln places of publlo
gathering.
"umber of mural paintings of excep-
tlonal beauty grace the theater. On the
proscenium arch are three group's of alle
gorical design of lovely grace. They are
cameo ovals as soft and airy as the sub
dued tones of the walls about. Their color
ing Is rich and powerful, but It shines
forth with only a dewy sort of clearness.
Perhaps the best of the paintings is that
ln the foyer where the arched seml-circl
Is occupied by a can
vas of striking
strength despite its
daintiness' of expres
sion. The work Is
that of Theodore
Behr, a Chicago ar
tist of prominence In
4eoora,Uv - fields
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"lV SETAlL OF PANEL " r. i:r. '-; , 'if lovrCR. tkksu
is : B Of. v ' s -..wi ( v v v. ,wn k -s-M
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JLECJT&
The rameo paintings on the proscenium
arch ate surrounded by sculptured groups
executed In the fame fairy-like touch.
The friezes are relieved here and there
by the Introduction of gargoyles and con
ventional bits of ornamentation made more
forcible by touches of the golden tint' that
pervades the theater. On the broad ex
panse of the mauve tinted plush drop'cur
tala Is an embroidered dsslcu in gujldcn
rA, Ik. yy y Jvdetail or panel -
i.:mmm
of
Jk A JsV JLmJ
!ik. Above the valsnce, n mtKhtr bit of
trimming ten feet deep, carries a derivative
f the s mo figure as that on the curtain
below. The contrast of pale violet and dull
K 'hi Is eiulstlo.
The exacting caie of the decorators striv
ing for perfection In this theater beautiful
Is well shown In the work of the asbestos
fire curtain. The asbestos performs an, en
tirely utilitarian function, but It, too, Is
made to bear a share In the attainment of
the general erfect. Colored In Its roughly
textured surface to a soft dusty purple
grey. It Is bordered with a broad outline
do.-lRii of rich heavy gold. From the aud
itorium It seems as though the heavy fab
rio bore the design In forged bars of the
tnctal itself.
About the exits appear a replica of tha
design ,at the entrance to the capltol
building at Washington, which Incidentally
bears a relation to the Ureclan conceptions
of unity that are curried out In the gen
eral decorative scheme.
It Is, Indeed, "tho Theater beautiful."
A remarkably Intricate machine lies con
cealed behind the curtain of this theater.
The picture presented to the audience must
represent the efforts of mors than the
scene betrays. The stage and Its appur
tenances Is a vast workshop, where scenlo
effects are the results of tha craftsman
ship of a force of skilled and experienced
workmen. In the Prandels theater this
stage has been brought to a degree of per
fection In completeness unexcelled and
probably unequalled In any playhouse that
the country boasts. The fruits of many a
costly experience otherwhere have bean
brought Into appreciation la concrete form
there.
Standing on the stags naked of Its hang
ings one gets the Impression of standing ,
at the bottom of a bugs well, so vast is
4Co.ntlmit.il oa rtt Four.)
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